This month has been a rollercoaster. We've had lots of fun and plenty of good days, but today, Buzz moves out. We are really sad to say good-bye but know that we can't safely care for him anymore. Our #1 job as foster parents is to keep him safe, and we've come to a point where our training is falling short toward that goal. He's moving to a home with foster parents who've had more training, and hopefully have good support to take care of higher-need kids.
Grant and I will probably process it over time and at different times. Grant has recently said its been the longest 4 months that he can remember. It does seem like Buzz has been in our lives longer than that. We will miss his smiles, hugs, and excitement. Jesse is staying with us, so we are glad that we get to still know how Buzz is doing through her. Our hope is that they get to return home to their parents soon, so that they can go on with their lives. They're just kids - they need a chance to grow up with their family.
Over the past month, we've been reminded that it takes work to be a foster parent. Ha! We should have known... And the biggest part of our success to this point still has been community. Not only do others help care for our kids (including Vera), they help care for Grant and me. Friends and family have encouraged us by helping, listening, re-focusing, and not judging. It's not easy to be vulnerable about our experience with fostering, as you never know who will have the "perfect solution" for us. We haven't had anyone try to tell us something we're trying is wrong, which is amazing. People have rallied around us and helped us where we needed.
We pray for Buzz and Jesse, that they may be safe and their hearts will be protected while they are in foster care.We pray for Vera, that she enjoys her foster siblings, and that she will be protected while we care for other kids.We pray for the kids' parents, that they may feel hopeful that their family will be reunited.
Praying with you guys!
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