Brothers

Somebody was glad to have his new big brother in the house this morning. :)

Many have asked how Isaac will feel about being surpassed as the oldest in our family. 

There is a real stigma in adoption to keeping birth order atleast with the oldest. 

And we agree with this completely.

But the difference is that Isaac and K are 8 years apart.

Worlds apart in many ways.

With this age difference, Isaac still  maintains oldest of the three littles.

He is still Jayden's older brother, his roommate and playmate.

He is still the girls protector and antogonist.

He will still go to middle school first, get a checking account first, go to summer camp first, etc.

We feel like there will not be the King of the Mountain battles between a 10th grader and a 2nd grader. It is just obvious who is bigger, faster, smarter.

No competition needed.

Cries of "that's not fair" can be quickly appeased with the age and size difference between the two.

We feel really good about this and so does Isaac.

When we asked him a month ago how he would feel being replaced as the oldest child in the family he said "well, I am still the first." 

TRUE.

and, "I am just glad to have a big brother to teach me things. And more glad that he will have a real family and won't have to bounce around from house to house."

The bonds of brotherhood are beginning to form,

and it is precious for us to watch.

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.

Update on K

At the end of our vacation last week, I got two calls from K where he was asking to come home this week. I explained to him that the adoption supervisor in charge of approving our home study was on vacation last week so our entire case is at a standstill until he gets back in the office (today). He said that he had been calling his caseworker frequently to inquire about what was taking so long for him to come home (that's my boy!!).

Today I called the caseworker first thing and left a voicemail. To my surprise and joy she called back about 90 minutes later and told me that she had asked her supervisor and the adoption supervisor if K could come home this week while they work out the paperwork details so that he can "get his new life started right away". She is waiting to hear back from them on what they say. She ended our conversation saying "Well I hope you will hear from me very soon that you can go get him."

When I spoke with K, he was very concerned about who would pay for his fall football gear and informed me that he only will be bringing about 4 "good" outfits and one pair of shoes. I told him not to worry and that we will be able to provide for all of his needs.

At church this Sunday, our pastor talked about how God DOES indeed give us more than we can handle, contrary to the popular cliche that He does not. God does this because at that point when we are overwhelmed with a very real scenario that is out of our hands, we only have Him to turn to. He then works many times in a supernatural way to bring about events that we could not orchestrate. Billy and I both agreed that this is that time for us. There is nothing more we can do to bring our child home. K is anxious and ready saying that as soon as he gets the call he will pack his bag and wait for us to get there. I told him it will take atleast an hour so he should relax. :)

I have also had moments of thinking, "how on earth will we pay to outfit an entire child's life into our family?" It seems as though funds are always tight for us, budgeted down to the dollar. I was telling a friend who is also a stay at home mom that on paper with my husband's income and our expenses it just does not make any logical sense for how it works out each month. She said they had the same thoughts. But we both know that it works out because God's provision is always way bigger than a paycheck and bills.

We have a big road ahead of us as far as expenses for K.

But I know God will provide it ALL in one way or another.

We have already been so blessed with love and support, even from you blog readers whom I have never met. I am so grateful to you. I have been able to do his room up BIG and even compile several gift baskets and a toiletry kit with the generosity of friends giftcards being sent to us. I was happy to make a giftcard tree with the remainder cards so that he can choose some things for himself.

 We are anxiously looking forward to the day when he can come home and receive all that awaits him and more.

Please pray with us that we get a homecoming date this week. :)

Vacation Pictures Part 1

 

These three sat in the same seat for our 8 hour drive and did SO well.

 

Billy and his sister Beth in the front.

 Jasmine getting loved on by Aunt Vicki.

 

Vivi loving all the Wizard of Oz decor at Aunt Virginia's house.

Her swim cap was perfect for keeping the sand out of her hair.

 Check out these cheeks:

Isaac got to choose a hermit crab at the beach surf shop.

He named it "Rocky".

Fireworks

We had our fireworks on the beach.

It was a lot of fun for the kids, but the amatuer fireworks all around us did make us adults quite nervous!!

Once it was sunset, we were able to see professional fireworks over the water.

Jayden wanted to get in on the kids doing fireworks in the sand but Mama was NOT having it.

Isaac spent his entire time running and playing in the fields with all the kids around us.