Meeting the Kids {Foster Adoption}
Over the weekend, we met the 5 year old girl and soon-to-be-four year old boy who may soon join our family. I instagrammed a photo as we were walking out the door, saying,
“Do we look as nervous and unprepared as we feel? Heading to meet our possible next two kids. Pray for us?”
Last week, the order we were waiting on still hadn’t come in. We’ve since gotten a little more information and our understanding now is that the judge is writing up the order herself to make sure all the i‘s are dotted and t‘s are crossed. Since she does seem to be working on it, we decided to move forward with meeting the children.
I was nervous about meeting them. Mostly, I think, because I get nervous going into situations where I have no idea what to expect. And because it’s just plain weird to be strangers to these kids, knowing we may soon become their parents.
I’m working on coming up with blog names for the kids, so for now, I’m still awkwardly referring to them as the girl and the boy. {Trying to come up with blog names; currently considering “Scout” and “Jem” from To Kill a Mockingbird.}
A play date with our possible future children:
When we arrived, the girl had just gotten up from a nap and was eating lunch. We chatted, and she was sweetly shy but polite. After she ate, she showed us her room and we played on a toy telephone, read a Dr. Suess book, and she introduced me to her dolls. A little later, her brother woke up from his nap. Foster Mom brought him in to meet us, and he introduced himself — even shaking our hands as he did so. {Oh my cuteness!} The foster parents are fabulous at teaching the kids manners and social skills, not letting them get away with things, but loving them through it all.
After the boy ate his lunch, he had a little pouty fit when he remembered he had lost one of his favorite toys as a consequence for behavior the day before. He calmed down from that and came to ask “Mr. Ken” if he wanted to play trains. Meanwhile, the girl and I played down the hall. Eventually, we all ended up with the trains, trying to figure the best way to put the track together. I snapped a photo with no faces for the blog. 😉
When Foster Mom told them we were getting ready to leave and asked if they’d like to play with us again soon, they said yes. Both children thanked us for coming to play, and gave us goodbye hugs. We stepped out on the porch and chatted with Foster Mom a bit more before heading back home.
I’m still mentally processing everything so I don’t have a whole lot of deep reflections to share right now. This is simply a sharing-the-process kind of post. We’re scheduled to see them again this week, which will be the first time Lindsey and Kathryn meet them. Their first over night visit is scheduled soon, and if all goes according to plan, we’re looking at moving them in just a few weeks from now. {And I have sooooo much to do before then!}
Meanwhile, we still wait for that order from the judge.
Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »
Wow – thank you for sharing your heart Jamie. I will be praying for all SIX OF YOU! I do love the names Scout and Jem! Blessings to you – Toni
I also like the names Scout and Jem. I couldn’t think of any other ideas. I thought of Scrub and Pole from Narnia series when they used the last names of Jill and Eustace in The Silver chair. Then I was thinking if there were any cute names in the Five Little Peppers and How They Grew book because your family is certainly growing. 🙂 But they all have normal children names. I just think it is all wonderful how the Lord is working. I’m so enjoying watching all this come about because adoption has been on my heart for… Read more »
Another vote for Jem and Scout. I misted up reading this post, Jamie – what a wonderful life opportunity for everyone concerned! Still crossing all digits that everything goes smoothly.
As someone who has traveled this road twice, I’m lifting you and your family up in prayer. It is life changing, but oh so worth it. We adopted our first child when our youngest biological child was 15. We went on to have many foster children over the next few years. When the coming and going of the foster children started to have a profound effect on our youngest, we stopped doing foster care, but continued to work with the foster care system doing classes and volunteering at events. It was at one of those events that we met our… Read more »
So exciting! And so sweet! I love the picture. I can imagine all the emotions you are having right now. It is strange to “meet” our kids, but also miraculous. I’m continuing to pray for y’all. Thank you for updating! I wish I had twitter just so I could see that picture. 🙂
Love…
Wow! Praying for you! God is so amazing!
Yay yay yay!! I was grinning the entire time I was reading this post! Scout and Jem are perfect nicknames, and I’ll be praying that everything goes smoothly for you. Remember, ASK QUESTIONS! Anything and everything, of the foster parents. They know the day to day behaviors, quirks, manipulative behaviors, and everything else. If something you’re concerned about hasn’t been mentioned, then you mention it. I’m so happy for you! (Catherine’s going to be a big sister!) 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more.
**Oops on the spelling! Sorry Kathryn! 🙂
Yea Jamie! It is exciting and scary for sure, but you know the Lord is with you all in this. He is so good! I am praying for you and hope for a peaceful outcome and His Peace to guide you. Thank you so much for keeping us up-to-date. I have seen others post of foster children with nicknames like “Sunshine” and “Mr. J.”…
grace and peace,
Robin
Thank you for sharing your heart and this process so openly. I’m praying that all will go well and smoothly. So far, so good with a judge who is doing things right and good foster parents! It looks like God is truly holding the entire process in His loving hands.
I am so happy for all of you! You’re in my prayers.
Beautiful. Love that you’re doing this and that you get the chance to love these little ones. Scout & Jem sounds good to me!
THis is so exciting. Thank you for sharing it! I will keep your family in my prayers!
This is SO exciting!! I imagine it must be kind of nerve-wracking to hope that children you hardly know, and who hardly know you, will come to love you and call you Mom and Dad. I’ll be praying for you through all of this process! <3
It’s almost as if you are all at the top of the first big hill of a roller coaster. It’s terrifying in a way, but exhilarating at the same time. Lives are about to be changed. How exciting! Praying for you all!!!
Wow. I’m in awe of the commitment you are about to make. I hyperventilate just thinking about it. I hope it all works out for you.
Aw! I love this! Those are cute nicknames, I have to agree with the comment by Nancy Mosely though to, naming them after Eustace and Jill would be pretty fun to. 🙂
I love that you are “including us” in this adventure with you!! Praying for you all!
Raising all of you up in prayer! How very exciting!
How beautiful! I will lift your family and these precious children in prayer. God bless you.
I am remembering fondly the hustle and bustle in preparing for my youngest two daughters who joined my family through foster care at those same ages. Enjoy it. I can’t recommend highly enough that you make the time now to read Karyn Purvis’s work. Watch the free videos on-line, if that is all you can make time for. It will be the best time you spend preparing for these “children from hard places.”
Wow – things are moving along. As I read that you and Ken played trains with them it hit me what a joy that age children are and what a blessing this is for everyone. I am excited for you!
Thanks for your transparency….and encouragement. Looking in from the outside is such an encouragement for us. We just submitted our application for foster/adoption through our state system as well. We had a private adoption in 2011 but we have been feeling called to this foster/adoption process as well. Reading your posts has been a huge source of encouragement for me. Thanks for being candid and thanks for being willing to listen to His voice leading you.
Love this, Jamie! Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
What an encouragement to those of us who may someday walk down this same road:)
Our prayers for you all!
God’s hand is evident throughout this whole experience…however unsettling it may be to not know what may happen next.
P.S. Scout and Jem are perfect names:)
I understand meeting children that may soon be a part of your family. Awkward! =D
How exciting!!!! Praying for each of you as God walks you through this sweet process!
Absolutely beautiful, Jamie!
Y’all are PRECIOUS. You are in my prayers as the story will unfold all according to God’s will for you and those sweet children. God bless!
I remember the “weirdness” of meeting our older children. There really is no other word for it! May God bless you as you go through this weird time into a time of real love and family togetherness. So sweet!
Scout and Jem would be a very cool name. I’m excited for you! Those children would be very lucky to have a family in you Jamie. I like to thank you for opening your home to them and be part of their lives.
God Bless you all.. 🙂