Baby Update

Thank you all so much for your prayers as we've entered the journey of fostering!  I first want to apologize for all of my grammatical errors (it's not like that's a new thing, right?) and anything that makes no sense. Chalk it up to no sleep.  If you haven't heard, we've been blessed and privileged to care for not one but two newborns, non-related, which I fell like is probably unheard of.  They are just two weeks apart. And to think I almost took ages 0-1 off our age list. (I've done the baby thing)  However, I'm so glad I didn't; we've enjoyed these sweet little girls so much.  Our big kids have done beautifully with our new additions, and between all of the girls' appointments we've even managed to get a few things done in school. I'm praising God for a bright firstborn, who catches on quickly, and has finally decided he enjoys reading.  Even if all we do is read and subtract football score deficits (that counts as math, doesn't it?), I know we're not getting behind because of how far we've come this semester.

First, I want to give a shout out to my husband who has been amazing!  Going from two to four with no notice, add in the infant thing, is no easy task.  We got our second baby Thursday, and since he is off on Fridays, I haven't been alone yet.  Come to think of it, he has been alone with them, all of them, voluntarily, so that could get some grocery/new baby shopping done. But today I got a taste of what this week will be like without him.  Wow, that man helps more than I realize.  I was getting the big kids lunch after church today (he was still there).  It was also babies lunch time.  It all escalated quickly and before I knew it my sweet, happy sleepers were screaming while I was making pb&j, and I knew I was going to have to do two bottles at once.  As I thought to myself, what have I gotten myself into, my sweet son, who ate quickly, asked if he could help.  I said yes and started tearing up.  I thanked him profusely and his response was something like, "I'm happy to help, mom." Thankfully, he had had a little practice already, and in that moment I decided it would be ok.  He has his father's servant heart and I'm sure has learned this by seeing his Daddy in action.  He's even done his chores more cheerfully in the last two weeks.  Those two guys will be my saving grace!

Secondly, we've sold our house! Pending appraisal it's done and we close in January.  Thanks for your prayers about that matter.  God is so very good!!

Please pray we will find a new one as well, one that fits our unique needs: homeschooling, large family, different mix of genders in and out, and youth minister salary budget! I would love to find one that we could be in for a long time, but God may have something else planned, and I'm trying to remember that. We know God will provide, He always does!  I think it's Barbara Barker that says, "God is seldom early, but never late."  When I look back at major events that is very much the story of my life.  Pray that my nesting instinct/need for control doesn't go into overdrive and that I remember that He is sovereign. He sold our house quickly for a reason, and he will provide somewhere else for us to live - I need to remind myself of that every morning.

Everyone asks us if the babies are good.  The best!  They eat and sleep well, they easily got on the same schedule so no extra night feedings, and both are hardly ever fussy!  Our friends have been delivering dinner to our door which has been the biggest help, especially now that there are two.  If you know of anyone who is fostering and you want to know how to help keep in mind that many foster kids, babies or not, have a hard time sleeping.  They also have loads of appointments, especially the first week.  They have court, visits with mom and dad, doctors visits, school/daycare enrollment (if applicable) WIC appointments - which is the nastiest nightmare with multiple children and yet the biggest blessing (imagine your children rolling around in the floor of Walmart, in flu season, that is how I felt at the health dept.) but I walked out with vouchers for enough formula for my baby for three months.  Multiply these by the number of children they have and you can see how a warm meal at the end of the day is welcomed, it really doesn't even matter what it is. Play dates or free babysitting for the other kids during these appointments is also huge. Health dept - multiple children = not as bad.  I've told many friends, just bring your kids over and let my big kids play and have fun, hold a baby and chat with me while I do some laundry or dishes.  Seriously that is a huge help and you get baby snuggles!