Family of Six Overnight

Bubby and Ace

Tuesday seems to be our lucky day. During staff meeting this week, Granny pops over to hand me a note. It says, "four month old baby girl, call your social worker." This is the second Tuesday in a row we've had a call about foster kids. You all read what happened last week with poor wee T & M. They stayed one night and had to be moved, because we lived too close to their extended family.

This week we have welcomed Ace and Cookie (not their real names). Turns out it wasn't just a 4 month old baby. It was Cookie and her 2 year old brother, Ace. Now here is the best part--they are long term placements and are seeking permanent placement. So, while we are trying to be realistic, we are hopeful they will stay.

Daddy and Cookie

Ace and Cookie are 2 of 7 children who were removed about 2 months ago from horrible conditions. The oldest sibling is 12. They go 12, 9, 7, 4, 2.5 (Ace), 1, and 4 months (Cookie). Apparently, about two months ago Mum showed up at hospital with fractured nose and facial bones, obviously domestic violence injuries. This was not the first time she was known to authorities as a DV victim. When they turned up to the house they found squalid living conditions, no food, etc. All of the children had scabies and nits. The 1 year old also had injuries which included a skull fracture. Ace had infected wounds from his skin infections and so did Cookie. The mother also confessed to the social worker that she would not leave her abusive partner--father of some of the children.

All of the children were uplifted. Initially some of them, including Ace and Cookie were placed with an Auntie. That didn't work out. Then they were placed with another care giver, but she had 3 of her own kids and that didn't work out. So, they moved Ace and Cookie again and brought them to us. Ace is still getting rid of an infected sore on his leg and Cookie had a bad case of craddle cap, but that is already better.

It has taken a few days, but they are sleeping well and eating well. Ace is running around here and laughing. Sissy and Bubby are doing well too. There is some adjusting that still has to be done, but for the most part they are coping well. It seems to help heaps that they are babies.

Even though it's been a while I am quickly getting back in the routine of having two in nappies. And it's a good thing that my kids have never completed sleeping through the night every night, because I don't have that sudden shock to the system of getting up at midnight and 4am to feed baby.

What has been a shock to the system is remembering all the flood of emotions that comes with parenting adopted/foster kids. You grieve for them--for the abuse they have suffered, for the lack of love. I yelled yesterday when I banged my knee on the corner of my bed (no swearing or anything like that, just "Ow, ouch.") and Ace ran crying off to hide under the dining table. You grieve for their parents and wonder what has gone so wrong with their lives that they have so mistreated their children. And while you are thinking about all of the sadness involved your heart opens (which is not without it's own pain) and you suddenly reach a whole new level of love you didn't know you had. You become willing to take into your heart and your soul the lives of these two precious children, who you didn't give birth to--you didn't celebrate their lives through nine months of pregnancy, they just arrived in need and they have trusted you to care for them.

There is always a chance that the powers that be will find some obscure family member willing and fit enough to take them in. However, we are quietly hopeful and praying that these two precious little ones will become part of our forever family. We are also praying for the happy settlement of their siblings, especially baby C (the 1 year old) with the head injury. Please pray for them.

Off to change another poopy nappy. I love it! :-)