Doctors appointments, bath times, diapers, bottles, little bows, tiny socks, and smiles. It is all a blur.

Fourteen weeks went so quickly.

When the case manager visited our home, she asked if we would be open to allowing the parents to visit. With the pandemic, there was a shortage of parent aides and they would have to wait at least 5 weeks to visit Love-Bug. Without any hesitation, I knew that my home would become their place. Because of this, I had the privilege of watching them work, show up, laugh, bring gifts, play with my children, and attach with their baby. We quickly became a mish-mashed family unit.

Twice a week, we would share a meal together and love on the baby until the awkwardness faded away. I thought of my dear friend, Cindy Scholl, and all that she taught me about hospitality. She taught me that how you make your guests feel is more important than any other detail of the entire day. Cindy’s food was always delicious, her home was always beautifully cozy, and the conversation was always pleasant and stimulating, but I will never forget the way I felt when I left her home. I would sit in my car and smile. I left feeling seen and heard and amazing. THAT is what I want people to feel after they leave our home.

As the birth parents and I danced clumsily around doctor appointment visit details and poopy diaper discussions, I watched as my mother came for a visit.

Mom came to give me extra hands while Brian looked for a home in Texas. I watched as she prayed fervently over this couple. She confidently sat them down and told them her story of being a foster mother. She told them of the children that had come in and out of her home – some happy endings and some not. Mom explained to them what the common thread was in the people that changed their lives – prayer, a supportive community, and taking one day at a time.

Someone asked me today if I had gotten too attached, and I smiled. “Of course,” I answered. That was my role. That is exactly what I signed up for… to get attached and let her attach so that she will trust and know that people are good – people will answer her cry and respond to her needs. She can trust that her needs will be met.

She is in the process of being reunified with her parents and that is a good and beautiful thing.

Fourteen weeks. I’ll never be the same.

“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day.”  St. Gianna Molla