Lateisha and Jordan left today. We had a wonderful experience. It goes without saying it was a very emotional day! It was REALLY trying at times. They both need so much. They would talk to us non-stop. Our kids actually benefited in a great way. However, we were really nervous that Lexi and Tyler would pick up on bad habits before we could correct the others' bad ones. The boys and girls made great playmates outside of the house.
We spent the majority of the day disciplining, which they craved and needed, and reassuring them with love. Despite being in our lives for a short time we do feel a real love for both of them. It is unlikely we will ever see them again but we will think of them often. They certainly made a memorable Christmas. We will pray that they will find a place that can give them permanency and love. It's what they need. You can see it in their eyes...A kid shouldn't have to worry about where they will sleep and wonder who will love them. They deserve it as much as our kids deserve it.
So the big question is will we take them back given the opportunity. Unfortunately, it just is not a good fit. Going into this we wanted to focus on kids that are younger than ours. We can work on kids that are younger than ours without damaging our own. In other words, if our kids were 10 and 9 it would be a better fit to have a 3 and 5 year old come in. We will be getting another 3 year old girl this Saturday for one week. It is the same situation where the current foster parents will be traveling.
Merry Christmas to everyone! We had a great Christmas. It was really the first Christmas where Tyler really understood. Lexi caught on quick as she slashed open gifts. The biggest gifts were; Tyler got a racetrack, Lexi a great dollhouse which she could sit at for hours, Jordan got a new bike, Lateisha got a bike and some Cinderella dolls. My Uncle Tom came on Christmas Eve. We went to church and had a lovely service with spectacular music. It was really the most memorable Christmas Eve service. That night we put together some toys and just had a quiet, peaceful night. It occurred to me that we will only get 4-5 more years of Christmas's where our kids buy into Santa.
Truthfully, we talk much more about the day being a celebration of the birth of Christ. In fact, when I asked Ty on the eve of Christmas what tomorrow was he said "It's Jesus' Birthday". On the flip side I asked a teenage girl that works for me how her Christmas was. Her response was 'Oh, it was the best Christmas ever....I got everything I wanted!'. I thought she would say thatnsomething wonderful happened to someone in her life. Instead, it was that she got the new iPhone.
We had planned on going to a neighbor's house for New Year's. However, neither of us had the energy to sip wine given the day we had. Lateisha and Jordan ...Thanks for being a part of our lives...even if for a short time.
I will end each blog with a quote that has captured my attention.
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
- Gandhi
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