A Piece of Cake

This is too funny. I was reading a blog update that I wrote about a year ago saying how hard it was to keep up with blogging because of having a 10 year old, 9 year old, 2 year old and 1 year old. Little did I know that having just my four children would be a piece of cake compared to where we are now in life.

Life is still busy with my children now 11, 10, 3 and 2 years of age but add in there a special needs baby and homeschooling and life is no longer a piece of cake... well, not like everyone thinks I mean when I say "piece of cake". You see, my life is a piece of cake. It is sweeter and richer then ever before and another layer has been added. In April, we have had our eyes opened wide to the world of Special Needs children.

I often say that I am living my dream. I love that I am able to be home with my kids, and able to teach and mold them most hours of the day. I enjoy making lunches and eating them together around our kitchen table with papers and notebooks piled high. I love getting to watch our kids play together and help each other. I love that my oldest boys are around and usually wake up the little ones with me. Don't get me wrong. I still live for "rest time" in our house because I am usually the one laying down and taking a rest. Yes, even in the midst of chaos and confusion, I take time to lay down and sleep or read or talk on the phone.

God has called me and Steve to care for our newest "layer"... our sweet baby Ana. There is no doubt that she is supposed to be here in our home with us now. On Monday, April 25, 2011, we called our agency letting them know that we were open to having another foster child join our family. We enjoyed our time "off" from fostering after the adoption of Eli and Kayla to enjoy a caseworker free life. But we were ready to minister to another child in need. I mentioned to the gal on the phone that Steve and I prayed about it and we were open to having a child with some special medical needs as long as we acquire the proper medical training. The next afternoon, during rest time, the phone rang and it was our agency. They had a placement for us if we were interested. I said sure and the caseworker started telling me about this little miracle baby who was 6 months old and was just now ready to be discharged from the NICU. The she told me all of the medical issues that the baby has. While she was telling me about them, I was "Googling" them on my phone. I was scared but intrigued and said yes to Ana joining our family. The caseworker said it would probably be a temporary placement and that Ana would go home at the next court hearing 3 months later because her mom was very motivated and wanted her back. "Ok. No problem. She's more then welcome to stay with us for however long she needs to" I said to the caseworker. After hours of medical training over a 2 day period, we carried her out of the hospital on Thursday, April 28th and she breathed her first breath of fresh air and felt the sunshine on her face. She was discharged on her "1/2 birthday"! Never had I seen such a small little thing with so much stuff! Not only did she have the typical baby stuff but now we were adding an IV pole, a feeding pump, syringes, gauze, suction machines, feed bags, cans of formula, extension tubes, etc...

Ok, so now she's home. Now we have to follow up with all 500 of her specialists in Philly. It's strange how these doctors and nurses have become like family to us. Is it normal for the security guards at a major children's hospital to know you by name? Taking care of Ana is a lot of work but thankfully I have been blessed with an amazing support system which includes my mom. She might not be the one ministering to foster children by having them staying in her home but she is ministering to them by helping to care for my children so that I can get Ana the help and care she needs. I would be lost without Steve and my mom... they make all of this possible.

Fast forward 8 months and Ana is still here. Her mom isn't as motivated but still loves her little girl. She has weekly visits and attends medical appointments (most of the time). Our hearts have swelled and are over flowing with love for this little miracle baby. We've had two hospital stays because of different viruses and health issues for her but overall, she's doing really well. She is in medical daycare during the day which allows me to continue life with our other children. When she comes home from daycare, she nuzzles in to my neck and makes all kinds of noises... pure contentment on her part ... and on mine. My baby is home with us again for the night.

What does the future hold for this little girl??? I do NOT know but we are praying for wisdom and direction and for God's will to be done. How will I ever say good-bye to my little sidekick (literally)? Life is so sweet because I have had the chance to love this little girl. I have had the chance to become part of the special needs world and I love it. Is it easy? NO! Is it what's most desirable? NO! Is it how God has planned it? YES! And for that Steve and I know that we are IN the will of God and DOING the will of God. Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." It is our joy to serve our Lord by serving Ana. We feel honored that God has called us to be her Mama and Daddy for however long he sees fit.

So, you see.. Life really is a piece of cake... it's sweeter then I ever imagined it would be and I'm fuller because of God's blessings then I ever knew I could be and I love cake with lots of layers.