Back up to 6 kids and A New Type of Christmas

This year was our first time celebrating Christmas as foster parents. We knew it would look and feel different, but I never expected to see Jesus in the ways I did. As most of you know I come from a large extended family. We have always celebrated Christmas at my parents house. My mom hosts most of her 8 siblings and their families; its loud, big, full of love and so much fun. I have been so blessed by an amazing family full of laughter and joy. Christmas was always a day we looked forward to, seeing all of our cousins, aunts and uncles. As I have gotten older that hasn't changed. Every year its just as exciting to get our whole family together and by the end of the day your stomach hurts from laughing so much. Unfortunately with Robs job it has been a few Christmases that we have been required to stay home. Thankfully in the past we have had Robs family in town to celebrate together. This year was going to be different. Robs family was unable to come and we were unable to head north to Chicago so it was just going to be our immediate family. I was very sad to be missing another Christmas at "home", thankfully the Lord loves me and desires to grant me gifts that I don't deserve.

Two weeks before Christmas we got a call from a fellow foster mama friend who got a placement call for a sibling set of four. She could only accept one and really wanted to find close placement for the siblings. After calling another foster mama friend, who said they would take the baby, that left a set of two year old twins. I got off the phone, took a deep breath, and really considered if I was able to take a set of little twins. We felt pretty maxed out right now, especially for the holidays, but we also know that the Lord will open and close doors on his own. After talking to Rob we told our friends we would take the two. Before heading out I wrangled my troops into the kitchen and they circled around me and I explained there were two two year olds needing a safe place. At that moment my crew yelled "Yeah more kids!!" I looked at them a little shocked when Allie and Jake say "Mom I know its going to be more work and we will help!".  Nothing made my heart happier than to see my kids willing to sacrifice themselves even when they know it would be hard. Two hours later my crew was loaded up headed to the social services office to pick up the set of twins (at the time not knowing gender either). We arrived and Rob was already there signing the papers. The whole crew was asleep in the offices. Jake saw the two girls and doted on them from the moment he saw them, not frustrated he would be surrounded by two more girls. Long story short, we headed home, had some food, played and got ready for bed. Bedtime in foster care is always a hard time. Its a new place, normally a scary time of day, and full of tears. That night was no different. Lots of screaming, lots of tears, and lots of hugs. Once they were asleep they slept all night, which is a miracle. But I'll be honest it hasn't been an easy road with them. They are constant, and a lot of work, but I am reminded that even though the Lord calls us down a road it doesn't mean it will be easy, it is actually normally the opposite, He desires situations where we NEED Him, we have to DEPEND on Him to get through the moment. Thats how I have felt with these girls, they have tested my patience in so many ways, have had so many tears and tantrums, but I am so thankful that each day gets a little better and each day I learn how I am in need of change and growth as well.

(Coffee shop stop on our first full day together)

(Christmas Parade in town)

Christmas was just around the corner and nothing hurts my heart more than to know there are moms and dad out there missing the holidays with their children, even if they had made major mistakes in the past. Little lady M is scheduled to go home soon and my heart broke for her mom who would be spending Christmas alone, but I also knew social services was not a fan of parents coming into foster parents houses so I didn't have a lot of hope in her spending it with her children. About 5 days prior to Christmas I got a call from a women who worked for some agency I wasn't familiar with. She says "I am calling in regards to (Little Lady M's) mother. I know this is asking a lot and I understand if the answer is no, but I just had to ask. Would you mind hosting her mom on Christmas?" I stopped in my tracks, shocked at her question. I asked "Have you okayed this with social services?" "Yes, they said it was ok as longs the foster parents said it was ok. Mom hasn't been asked yet, but I wanted to make sure it was okay before asking her.". After a long conversation with her I said that we would love to host her and that it was actually a huge answer to prayer for us. I got off the phone, looked at Rob, and we both were just amazed and how the Lord moves and works without us even doing a thing. We then realized that we had a friend that just happened to be joining us for Christmas that is fluent in Spanish! Praise Jesus we can actually converse with her mom! Another answer to prayer that we hadn't even prayed! Two days pass and Little Lady M had her first visit at her moms apartment. This is where she will be moving into in just  few short weeks. We pull up and my heart is just broken. I am reminding myself and little lady M that home is a place that is full of love and safety, it doesn't matter what it looks like or what is in it. Mom is trying so hard, but just has so many obstacles fighting against her. Little lady M looks at her new apartment, which is in a very rough side of town,  and says "Oh my moms new house is just so beautiful". My heart almost burst as I was so thankful the Lord answered prayers that her home is where her mom is, despite of circumstances. After visit I had the translator ask mom if we could come pick her up to spend Christmas at our house, she thankfully said yes. I also noticed after visit that her two older sisters had nits all in their hair (aka lice) and I knew they would be coming over the following day (christmas eve) to spend the night. Deep breath, remember satan will do everything to not have us all together. 

(enjoying a movie together)

Christmas eve I went and picked up the sisters, brought them back, treated their hair and spent the next 4 hours picking nits out of their hair before church as I prayed that we would stay clear of lice in our home! (which as of a week later we have!) Rob, myself and the 8 kids headed to Christmas Eve service together. The kids did amazing at service and we got to worship together as we celebrated this amazing gift of Jesus. After service we headed home, enjoyed a meal together (cooked by Rob!) and got in jammies. The kids all came around together and Rob read the Night Before Christmas. Something about the sweetness of children on Christmas... I just love it. The crew headed to bed dreaming of the sweet next day. My girlfriend Tori, whose husband was deployed, decided to come spend the night so she could spend christmas morning with us. We turned on some christmas movies and wrapped away. We have been so blessed by family and friends who sent so many sweet gifts to each one of our kids. 

The next morning they all woke up at 8, waited on the stairs for everyone else to get up. The kids all came down to see the magic of Christmas morning. The sweetness of it is just hard to picture. They all sat as we passed out stockings and giggled and smiled through the whole thing. Throughout the morning each kiddo took turns opening gifts. We took a break, made some brunch and then opened a few more. My other girlfriend Elizabeth, who was the one fluent in Spanish (whose husband went out of town, yet she had to stay back to work), arrived to see the kids open their gifts and spend Christmas with us. We finished opening gifts and I looked at Rob and just smiled saying the only way to describe the morning was gracious. The kids were all so gracious as they each opened a gift and as others opened their gifts. They acted as if each gift was the best ever and that each others was the best ever. I was so thankful to see their gracious and thankful hearts realizing how much a gift it was for others to give them presents. They were all amazed at how many people wanted to give them gifts. 

At noon Elizabeth and I headed out to pick up Little Lady M's mom. We arrived back home and all the girls were so excited she was there. She was able to see where Little Lady M has been living, where she sleeps, and how she is at our home. We sat on the porch, watched the kids play, and were able to chat (via Elizabeth). About an hour later Baby Nate came with his mom and grandma. I was so glad they wanted to come spend Christmas with us since they have become family to us, and the kids are always so happy when they come. (probably because they are spoiled by them!)

(he is getting so big!!!)

It was also a blessing because Little Lady M's mom recognized Nate from when I would take him to visits. She got to see my relationship with his mom and grandma and that we desired a relationship past the time little lady M returned home. Another huge answer to prayer. We enjoyed a dinner together and were able to sit on the couch and talk. Elizabeth had a chance to explain Maia moms to her and the different resources we would love to help her get. She seemed very willing to try and see what would work. We were able to set up a time that I could pick her up and bring her to the offices to see how it might work. By about 6 o'clock we started to wrap things up. Elizabeth brought Little Lady M's mom home and I drove the sisters home. Nate and family got to stick around a little longer to hang out.

(the whole Christmas gang, hard to take a picture with everyone)

I got home, Rob and I put the kids to bed and we sat fell down on the couch. Don't get me wrong we were exhausted, it was a long few days, but we just were amazed at how many times Jesus showed up, answered prayers and worked without any of our help. He did things we didn't even know would be possible. This Christmas looked so different than any other Christmas, but it was more than we could have hoped or prayed for. God is so good to know I would have been so sad being away from family so He filled it with Himself and these new amazing people we call family now. A year ago if anyone would have told me what this Christmas would look like I would have never believed it and thought it was a little crazy, okay a lot crazy, but that night when laying in bed my heart was so full of Joy knowing that is exactly what Christmas is supposed to be about. Family, joy, love, restoration, healing, and Jesus. This Christmas showed us that we can have plans, ones that are great, but God can do things without even one phone call from us, once request, He knows that is best and for that I am so thankful. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, full of Joy and Jesus.