WOW...What a night!

All day today I waited hoping that K's caseworker would get back to me about our approval.

She never called.

I described it to my best friend who just birthed her 4th child, and first son, a week ago: that it felt like I was waiting for my water to break or something! The anxiousness was killing me.

So tonight I ran errands and when I returned, Billy raced down the front walk with his cell phone in his pajamas mouthing and gesturing "I'm talking to the caseworker! He is coming home tomorrow!!"

I couldn't believe it.

I eventually got on the phone with her. She said that she received clearance to allow him to come home under the title of " An Extended Pre-Placement Visit". 

I told her whatever you gotta call it, we are thrilled. 

I had spoken to the high school football coach today who said "tell me about this boy!" I told him that he wants to play football and basketball. He was very happy to hear that. He said "what position does he play?" I told him I did not know and he said, "Come on, Mom!!" I said, "well he isn't my son yet!" He told me that as soon as he is, I need to bring him up to the high school to meet he and the basketball coach and that they will give him "A Warm Welcome!" That was such an encouraging phone call.

I had no idea that just 3 hours later I would be on my way to pick up my boy!

That's right, I asked the caseworker if I could just go get him tonight and she said,

"Yes, go get your son and enjoy your evening."

She also said, "no matter what people want to say about CPS we actually care deeply about these kids and want the best for them. I assured her that I believed that and wished they were not so overworked so they could do more in a timely fashion. She agreed.

So Isaac and I loaded into the van and I drove maybe a tad too fast to his foster home. They were all surprised I was there so soon and I said, "maybe I am overexcited." :)

He chattered the whole way home and at a stop sign near the house had to pull out his report card for me to see his all A's and one B end of freshman year averages.

 What a smart and diligent child we have.

The best part of the night was when Billy met us on the porch and K exclaimed,

"Daddy, I'm home!!"

We laughed and hugged.

He loved his room.

LOVES it.

He kept saying he was not tired and would never get to sleep tonight. I sat on the bed the whole time he unpacked. Billy tried to lure me away with practical reminders that he might want some space. 

I said, "Do you need space or can I just sit here and look at you some more?"

He laughed and said "Nah. You can stay."

I made myself useful by hanging clothes on hangers and helping him get organized.

I said, "I always wanted a 15 year old."

That made him smile big.

Then he read all of the cards people had sent. 

He seemed impressed and couldn't believe there were so many.

He wanted to open each and every gift and looked at the photo album I compiled of all of our shared events over the past two years.

 Facebook lit up with congratulations and a friend's status said:

"You are never to old for a mom and a dad. One less child in foster care. God is good!"

 YES. He is.

And as Billy's facebook status read before going to bed tonight:

Just like that, six became seven.