Official Members of The Urgent Care Club

Jack and Jill arrived with their workers at just after 10am. They were in good spirits and happy to see us. Sweet relief. They came with bags and bags of toys, clothes and shoes. Their family didn't have much but really doted over the children. Bless their hearts for sending everything.. all that is familiar really helps.

Jill had a runny nose yesterday and was pretty sick today. The workers said to keep an eye on her and if we felt uncomfortable at any point, head over to urgent care. She was pretty wiped out and was snuggled in on the couch watching cartoons, in and out of sleep. Jack brought some toys out and made himself at home.

She just seemed to feel worse and by 4pm we were headed to urgent care. Nantie stayed home with Jack. Jill was hot as heck and just miserable. It hurt to look at her and she just clung onto DH or myself. Poor little eensie thing.

She hadn't peed since we had her (although we were making her drink water) and that was a concern. Urgent care wanted her to go before we left (willing to give her another hour) or we were off to the emergency room for dehydration. Her temp spiked to 104. They did a strep test, looked and listened to everything and tested for flu. They gave her Motrin and it was a wait and see. All the while she was sipping as much water as she could.

Can I just say for the record, she was an absolute darling, never once fussing or refusing. The tiniest little trooper I've ever met.

She was curled on my lap under her blankie (clutching her Teddy) when her head suddenly popped up and she declared, "I HAVE TO PEE!" Those words never sounded so good. We high fived as she pottied and her spunky little personality started to peek through. She was ready to come home to chicken noodle soup that Missy L had prepared.

Another hour seemed to drag on as her fever came down. 100.1 .. sweet! The verdict was in: INFLUENZA A. Seriously, she's got the FLU. Oy!!! We're now all on various prescriptions (hers to get her better, Nantie, DH, Jack and I to keep from getting sick).

By the time we got home she was really much better. We ate and crashed on the couch.

At 8:30 we started winding down for bed. Pj's, tooth brushing, bedtime stories. They are used to having the tv on in their room all night long and not so happy that's not the case here. With big yawns, tucked in with old and new toys, they drifted off. I peeked in once, Jack was totally out but Jill couldn't sleep. I spent a few more mins rubbing her back and she drifted off. They wanted the light on the bedside table left on.. hopefully they'll sleep through it.

NOT the first day I imagined but we survived and so did they. I guess that's really all we can ask for..

Dinner, A 1 Year Anniversary & The Big Move

Dinner:
Last night our dinner with the family went well. I had shown the kids pictures of our family members while they were here and they proudly announced they knew DH and told him his first name as soon as we arrived.

What's that puddle on the floor? That would be DH.. he had melted. LOL.

We brought over pizza and had light conversation. We have not yet met birth mom (that meeting will take place at DSS somewhere down the line) but feel very good about establishing a relationship with the local family members. They are truly kind people that want the best for the kids and wish to be part of their lives. We will do everything in our power to make sure that happens.

After dinner, Jill proceeded to bring ALL her baby dolls out to the front room and then wanted to show DH her room. When they were done, Jack also wanted to show him the room (same one but the tour proceeded just the same). When I popped in the kids were laughing with DH and he and Jack were wrestling and playing on the bed.

There were tears and hugs as we departed. We're all going to ask the county if we can arrange to meet once a week all together once the kids are settled in. All they asked is that we take very good care of their babies and love them enough for all of us. If that doesn't make your heart break what will?

A 1 Year Anniversary:
One year ago this very day, DH and I began our two day training course with the county. To say it was intense is an understatement .. life changing would be much more accurate. When Nantie completed hers (which is now THREE days of training.. I can't even imagine!) she was thoroughly convinced EVERYONE should take it. Fostering, adopting or even just having kids of your own the courses taught were just plain awesome.

The ride home after the first training day, I held my breath not knowing where DH "was at" about the whole thing. We were spinning and exhausted. On tables throughout the room pictures of available children were placed and he had taken time to walk by them and read their stories. I finally couldn't take the suspense any longer and asked. His response, "I think we should fill the paperwork out tonight to get the process started.. and go for two siblings".

If I was sitting in a chair and not riding in the car, I would of fallen out of it. I was hoping for ONE and he wanted two? Seriously??! We spent the evening sipping Baileys and filling out the official paperwork. And so it began.

Fast Forward to today... later this morning the social workers will be moving the children over. My what a difference a year makes!

The Big Move:
In about an hour the kids will arrive with the social workers. DH and I are ready to receive them and Nantie is expected about an hour later. She will get to know them as we muddle through paperwork.

After that, we're flying by the seat of our pants..

Please keep the kids, their family and us in your prayers.

Thursday's Game Plan

At 11am I'm going over to get the kids and bring them to our house. The plan is to introduce them to the little dogs, show them their rooms, pictures of our family and hang out. Then, off to McDonald's.

The family members they are living with now will send some packed things with them. They have tons of clothes and toys and my hope is having some familiar things around them will help in the move. I'm open to just about anything I can do within my power to ease their hearts and minds.

Tonight, DH and I are taking pizza over to their house and having dinner with the family. He hasn't met the kids (nor seen pictures) and is pretty darn excited. Guess who got more sleep last night? That would be ME! Ah HA!

Not living in the county we're certified in has it's downsides. No assistance with transportation, farther drives, etc. The upside we figured would be chances were less likely to run into family members while out and about with the kids. What a nightmare, right? Although Bmom lives in the county we are working with, her family does not. They live about 15 mins across town from us! Does anything EVER go as planned?? Um, no. Another good reason to build a relationship with them.

BirthMom is being told about the move this afternoon at her visitation. The general consensus is, although she knew it was inevitable, she is not going to be very happy.

Sigh.