Well, this week has been...something else. It's been heartbreaking losing AM and joyous watching our little boy turn two-years-old.
Let's start with AM. After weeks, actually months, of debate, discussion, and struggle, we came to the conclusion that we could no longer continue to have AM live with us. We have been through so much with this little boy, but he has been distributing many behaviors that led us to the realization that we could not keep him and still trust that Zack would remain safe. When we began foster parenting, we vowed that we would always keep Zack and our family as our number one priority. Keeping AM any longer than we did would have gone against what our family needs. It was nothing short of heartbreaking having to pack up his things, tally up each and every piece of clothing and toy on a piece of paper, and organize and prepare all of his paperwork for someone else to take over. Our fears of what would happen to him were endless. What school would he go to? Will he end up with a teacher that wouldn't care enough to get to know why he is the way he is? What if he falls through the cracks? What if we never see him again? What if he ends up in one of "those" homes? We said our goodbyes yesterday and I spent much of the day finishing packing for him and sobbing. I was feeling pretty horrible until around 6pm last night, when I received a phone call.
Me: "Hello?"
AM: "Mom? It's me. I'm really sad."
Me: "Awe, buddy. I'm so glad you called me!"
AM: "Yeah, I told my new social worker that I wanted your number. I've been carrying it around in my pocket all day."
We then talked about what his new house is like and he told me that he will still have his own room. I was able to speak with his new foster mother on the phone and she sounds WONDERFUL!!! She said that their family will be coming to Zack's birthday party next week because she knows how important it is for AM. She also told him that he could call us (and we could call him) any time he wanted to. This was proven to be true after we received our 4th phone call in approximately 2 hours. My sister also received four voicemails! We were so happy to hear that he was okay. As an added bonus, they were able to find him a home to live in where he could stay at the same school!!! His foster mother sounds amazing and expressed how she intends to be very invested in AM's education as well. I can't wait to meet her in person and I am so thankful that God is watching out for this little boy. His social workers have agreed to still let us be in contact and have visitation with him, which is more than we could have ever asked for.
Yesterday was Zacky's 2nd birthday! He woke up saying, "Happy birthday TO ME!!!" We went out to lunch with Grandma Sally, my sister and some friends. Then, we had a quiet family dinner...just the three of us...at home. I have to admit that I did set the table for four though. Afterward, we picked up some frozen yogurt and came home to stay up late and watch Finding Nemo. Zack keeps asking for AM, but considering the circumstances, it was a great day for him!
Let's start with AM. After weeks, actually months, of debate, discussion, and struggle, we came to the conclusion that we could no longer continue to have AM live with us. We have been through so much with this little boy, but he has been distributing many behaviors that led us to the realization that we could not keep him and still trust that Zack would remain safe. When we began foster parenting, we vowed that we would always keep Zack and our family as our number one priority. Keeping AM any longer than we did would have gone against what our family needs. It was nothing short of heartbreaking having to pack up his things, tally up each and every piece of clothing and toy on a piece of paper, and organize and prepare all of his paperwork for someone else to take over. Our fears of what would happen to him were endless. What school would he go to? Will he end up with a teacher that wouldn't care enough to get to know why he is the way he is? What if he falls through the cracks? What if we never see him again? What if he ends up in one of "those" homes? We said our goodbyes yesterday and I spent much of the day finishing packing for him and sobbing. I was feeling pretty horrible until around 6pm last night, when I received a phone call.
Me: "Hello?"
AM: "Mom? It's me. I'm really sad."
Me: "Awe, buddy. I'm so glad you called me!"
AM: "Yeah, I told my new social worker that I wanted your number. I've been carrying it around in my pocket all day."
We then talked about what his new house is like and he told me that he will still have his own room. I was able to speak with his new foster mother on the phone and she sounds WONDERFUL!!! She said that their family will be coming to Zack's birthday party next week because she knows how important it is for AM. She also told him that he could call us (and we could call him) any time he wanted to. This was proven to be true after we received our 4th phone call in approximately 2 hours. My sister also received four voicemails! We were so happy to hear that he was okay. As an added bonus, they were able to find him a home to live in where he could stay at the same school!!! His foster mother sounds amazing and expressed how she intends to be very invested in AM's education as well. I can't wait to meet her in person and I am so thankful that God is watching out for this little boy. His social workers have agreed to still let us be in contact and have visitation with him, which is more than we could have ever asked for.
Yesterday was Zacky's 2nd birthday! He woke up saying, "Happy birthday TO ME!!!" We went out to lunch with Grandma Sally, my sister and some friends. Then, we had a quiet family dinner...just the three of us...at home. I have to admit that I did set the table for four though. Afterward, we picked up some frozen yogurt and came home to stay up late and watch Finding Nemo. Zack keeps asking for AM, but considering the circumstances, it was a great day for him!
Our sweet Bailey girl.
It doesn't get any cuter than this :)
He loves to wear Daddy's shoes around the house!
Zack and (a very tired) Logan, playing with Legos and watching Sesame Street.
Zack sleeping in on his birthday. Happy birthday, baby boy!
Rich and I made Zack a "man cave" (kitchen table + bed sheets = awesomeness!). He literally went down for a nap crying big crocodile tears because he wanted to stay in the "cave".
Zack and Daddy checkin' out the cave...
The cave wouldn't be complete without a guard dog.
Yes...our child has OCD. He does stuff like this every single day. Whether it's building patterns with his blocks or organizing markers or magnets or lining up every single chair in the church's nursery in a perfectly straight row...the boy is obsessed. Certainly has an engineer's mind like his Daddy.
Here we go again! More organizing!
Last weekend, we celebrated my mom's 70th birthday with a family BBQ.Happy birthday, Mama!
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