Where have we been?
Happy New Year to everyone! We have been very busy. Prior to Christmas, God laid it on my heart to take custody of a little one to help a friend of the family out after spending a lot of time with her over the Thanksgiving Holidays. My heart was heavy one day after we returned from the holidays and I could not fight the emotions and calling. My husband agreed that we should take her and the rest was history.
It was really on my heart a year ago to let her come live with us temporarily, however we were kind of busy with the adoption paperwork. It seems like she had slipped further behind in terms of where she needed to be as a preschooler due to multiple siblings younger than her in her household and other circumstances.
One week before Christmas her mother agreed that she could not provide her with the time and attention that she requires right now in addition to some other things after I told her that we would take her for a while to get her on track and prepared for kindergarten.
I could not stand seeing this innocent preschooler suffer at the hands of someone else due to their poor decisions. My family has known the mother of this child since she was a baby herself and tried to help rear her in the right direction. She granted us temporary guardianship and I had everything taken care of in my state in three days total prior to the holidays.
This was all truly ordained by God because there was no way that I could have done all that I did in that short of time to have her prepared to return with us at Christmas. I was able to secure a preschool spot for her at a preschool that has over a years waiting list within those 3 days and everything else was taken care of.
While it did not seem like the perfect time since we have a lot of things going on in our household and we were also waiting for a placement, it was Gods timing and his timing is always perfect. We had plenty of room in our household and it was an easy transition and she wasn't an infant. Of course we had to do tons of shopping for clothing to prepare her beginning preschool when she returned with us, however I I handled most of it the week before Christmas. She has her own room and she loves it.
I never knew that having a preschooler in our household would be so much fun. She's independent, she desires to learn more and more every day, and loves her new school. This little girl already enjoys shopping with her "auntie" and my hubby swears that I am creating a monster or "mini me"! However, she adores him and he loves this little girl as well. So, you will be seeing this little person in pictures because she is apart of our household now. She is always smiling and she loves to hug! The best part of my long day is picking this sugar baby up from preschool and she runs to me and gives me the biggest hug and kiss ever! Oh, it melts my heart.
It truly takes a village to raise a child and we must do our parts when we are called to help others in need to save the children because they are our future. We have to look past our own current circumstances sometimes in order to help others. This little girl is our extra and unexpected gift from God!
Monday evening at ChuckEcheese (at a birthday party!)
20 comments:
This Sugar Baby is indeed beautiful--and quess what, the timing really is "perfect" ... it'll make sense -- in another season when you have time to rest in the beauty of it all!
PS...She has grown since last year's posting of her during the holidays--but still precious!
She's a cutie! I've seen a pic of her little siblings on your site previously. I'm so glad you guys decided to help with her. What a blessing.
How wonderful! It does take a village. This beautiful little girl will be blessed by being in your home, for sure!
Praise God for you guys.
I also remember you talking about this young lady last year. I am glad that you are able to help her.
She is a dollbaby Kristy! This is a Blessed situation all the way around :)
How exciting! I'm glad you had a wonderful Christmas. You've been on my mind lately and I'm glad to see things are going well.
Jabena,
Thank you and you are right the timing is perfect. A lot of things do not make sense when it happens but I know things will come to light later. Yes, she has grown a lot, however, she is still very tiny. Her appetite has picked up since she has been living with us.
Angela, yes, this is one of the children that I showed last Spring. I didn't post Thanksgiving or Christmas pics this year on the blog. I was busy at Christmas getting her transitioned to move here with us. She is truly a blessing and SO MUCH fun! I love her independence and her sweet spirit. She is a hugger!
Anne,
Thank you! We are hoping that we can make a difference with the time she is staying with us. She is such a delight to have in our lives at this time.
KMR,
God was truly the navigator of this one (as he always is) and He orchestrated everything so that we could just keep moving. She has adjusted so well. It is amazing how this child has adjusted and fits right into our lifestyle. I would have never imagined. I thought that we were going to have major adjustments.
Thanks Terri,
She is a doll and I am really enjoying her. Now you see why my holiday cards were never mailed out! I still plan to send them out this week.
Nevididi!
Yes, things have been busy. I didn't have time to blog with everything going on. Thanks for checking on me! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas! I will do better posting updates.
She's beautiful! It's amazing that you were in a position to help her when she needed it most. I fear you may grow attached to her though but of course that isn't a bad thing. It just makes it harder to say goodbye.
Alisa,
I totally feel you. We are both attached to this little girl. However, goodbye will not be goodbye forever. She and her siblings were already apart of our family. Her mom lives in the city/state where my parents live and when she was in that state they were at my parents house who are known as (Nana and Papa's) at least one to two weekends a month.
We will always see her regardless because my parents try to help provide some form of stability in their lives despite the decisions that their mom has made.
Knowing that we have done the right thing at this time makes me feel better. We went into this thinking temporary, however, we know that it may be longer than what we agreed too. We are taking it a "half a year at a time"! While she is living with us we are treating her like she is ours. Even though we are family planning and building our own family, it will be difficult to let her go back. I am not for sure when that is going to happen. Her mom is expecting in June.
Kristy, she is BEAUTIFUL and looks so happy! You are doing a great job...God has a sweet blessing for you! Continue to love on her :)
Nakira,
Thank you!
You know I am really enjoying this child! It is almost as if she needed to be here in our home to bless us as well. She is so sweet. I am sure that she will be able to share here spot light soon. She is a sweet child. I think she is enjoying having all of the attention right now!
She is wonderful! I never thought having a preschool come in my home at this age would be so rewarding. I always thought it would be too much of a transition. This child was truly a Godsend. She fits right in with us and our lifestyle and she is so independent.
Beautiful. I too remember your previous post and I really felt a strong connection from you to her at that time. Enjoy!!!!
Hi Robbin,
Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, this is that little girl! She was truly sent to us. She is thriving, learning and doing well here and turning into a "peach". She has a lot of catching up to do, but she is catching on quickly. She will be getting the extra help that she needs at her preschool.
Its amazing to see how a child can develop when you take them out of an environment and place them in a more nurturing one.
I see Lulu is growing and doing well! She is just beautiful. I know that she is a handful.
She is precious. What a blessing for your home right now to have her fill it with laughter.
I love what you said, "We have to look past our own current circumstances sometimes in order to help others." Very true and sometimes very hard to remember.
Oh - she is so adorable! I am sure you are being a great influence!!! Blessings to you!
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