Post-Placement Weekend

The Brandon thing was a jolt to our system and we were sort of left with a real unsettled feeling. So we laid low this weekend and just spoiled ourselves and the kids with sweets, attention, movies, games, balloons, chasing and squealing, and some watery fun to wash away the blues that we couldn't quite put our finger on. It is, after all, a good thing that Brandon's family chose to keep him. And it's good that they realized it almost immediately after letting him go. It's just taken US a little time to settle back down. It's a jolt, but it's alright. Given a few days worth of distance, we're cool with it and not scared off from what we set out to do. On the upside of this brief stint with fostering, we certainly got a reality check into the world of troubling family situations, taking custody, transitioning our kids, and having 3 little ones at one time. We now have time to reconsider how we would approach things next time. And to consider what ages might be too much of a stretch for us right now than we thought they would be. And to know NOT to put too much work into a placement right away if indeed a foster-to-adopt case presented itself again. So this experience was like a built-in buffer for us. It's gonna be ok, it IS ok, and we thank the Lord for his care in the situation, even though we can't say for sure we recognize just yet what that was. We just trust that it was. Thanks, y'all, for your kind words and for praying over this with us. It's more of a support and encouragement than you know and we don't take that lightly. It means a lot. Thank you.

So. Moving on ...

It has been raining like crazy, storming actually, and it's been a nice distraction. We sat on the back porch and oohed and aaahed at the lightening and thunder and raced around downstairs looking for the best view of the downpours and the flooding of the street and our neighbors' yards. Afterward, Anna had her first puddle stomping experience and totally dug it.


Noah used a plate as a boat and watched it ride the so-called rapids in the cul-de-sac.


We have this bad (but oh so fun) habit of sneaking in birthday gifts before the actual birthday. This year, this week, that seemed even more in order than ever. So that means Noah got fish today instead of waiting til next weekend. And now we have all week to look forward to getting a few more fish for his real birthday. :) (this was an easy spur-of-the-moment decision to make since we'd set up the tank early thinking we wouldn't have the time after Brandon came)


I just realized that these little guys (Mickey Mouse Platy fish - see the silhouette on the tail?) make us official pet owners again. That's a step in the right direction. We still look forward to getting a dog again one day in the coming years. But we are waiting til we are a family of 5 to do that. So these fish will have to fit the bill til then.