Hello and Goodbye

Ethan and I got back from a 3 week long vacation earlier this week (which was so fun, btw). Matt had returned the week before and got a taste of single parenthood for a week. He had to juggle work, getting big brother to and from school, and getting baby girl to and from daycare. Oh, and of course there was dinner to make and dishes to clean, and putting the kiddos to bed. All by himself. He told me he never wanted to do this single parent thing again, and I told him it'll help him appreciate me that much more.

Two days after Ethan and I returned home, big brother and baby girl returned to their home. It was all very sudden. A long court hearing that ended with the social worker asking me if she could come pick them (and all their stuff) up in 2 hours. It was a bit crazy, but as she was an hour late, I was able to get everything in order.

Even though big brother and baby girl were only in our home for a month, we loved them and cared for them. While it was a bit hard to say goodbye, we're happy for them. This is what big brother has been praying for ever since we taught him how to pray. It also helps that we agreed with the courts decision and feel like it is safe for them to go home. A little bit more time to prepare would have been nice though. But maybe the suddenness of it helped make the goodbye easier. I didn't really have too much time to think about it; I was just trying to get all their clothes and toys packed up. And Matt didn't really get to say goodbye at all, since he was at work.

This placement has taught us a lot. We have been stretched, but learned that we are flexible. We have been tired, but learned that there are helping hands. We have been amazed at the instant love that we have felt for these kids, and even more so at the instant letting go when the time came to say goodbye.

So here we are again, waiting. Waiting for another call (we actually got a call just 2 hours after the kids left, and though we said yes, we didn't get the placement due to distance). I imagine this wait will be easier, though, since we've done it before. Plus, it might be nice to have a little break and regroup.

From a family of 5 to a family of 3 again. For now...