From a family of 2 to 4 kids

Well, today is the day that our family grew - 8.11.10 ~5pm. It's a placement through social services. Twin girls, aged 2.5 years.

So I don't forget:
M's first diaper (and 2nd) = poopy

K- ate first, a cracker; and smiled first.
M - ate a bear cracker and liked riding the pink stick horse inside the house.

I saw M first but touched K first - a brush onto the arm/hand.

Today was not as crazy as I'd anticipated. God answers prayers in funny ways and this was one of those times.

(It's 5 am and everyone is still asleep - amazingly - so here is the story):

Got a call ~1050 am while I was at my desk at work. Sounded like a good situation. Then, I heard their names and one of them has "that name" - you know the one when you were a girl that you wrote over and over and over because that was going to be your child's name. Yup, one of the girls has the name I'd always planned to name MY daughter but then when "G" was born I just didn't use it. I literally choked up and the social services worker could tell.

I had 2 more work meetings that I finished and then spoke multiple times to my licensing worker, the previous foster mother and foster father (for all of 6 days) and the foster mother of the sibling (and later in the evening, the sibling's foster father even called to see if I needed anything at the store!)

I was trying to figure out how to secure an additional toddler bed as I have 2 but would need 3 (DS is still in one). Then, the phone rings and the licensing worker says: Don't get beds! They are coming with beds that were purchased last week along with brand new carseats and a case of diapers! Prayer answered AND they were delivered to my house AHEAD of the girls.

I finished up at work (in between numerous calls) but never to the girls' case worker until later in the day. She filled me in on things with the bio family.

You know, when it feels right, it feels right. :)

I accepted the situation on the phone and went home at 4pm to tell my kids. My son was THRILLED and DD was her typical analytical self with a little excitement.

My (former) step father happened to stop by 5 mins later and helped me move a bureau. I quickly kicked (literally) DS's random toys into his closet. Showed him that he's be sleeping with his sister. Gave my kids hugs and stood back and admired them as I knew their lives were about to change - maybe for forever.

We went outside to play.
The beds arrived along with some clothes, cups, spoons, bowls, etc. (Note, in all of the trainings, I'd been told that most foster kids come with nothing. I got freshly bathed, hair kind of done girls with Beds, carseats, diapers and some clothes!!?!?! Thank you, Lord!)

Then, the case worker and the girls arrived (while the former foster mom and her daughter were still in my driveway from delivering beds). The girls were so sweet and happy. (They thought they were coming to play). I'll call them M & K (one has a nickname so that will make her "K" instead of a 2nd M).

They got out of the car, we all played, talked, etc. One let me touch her arm/hand while the other pulled away (M). More play. The case worker and I tried to figure out how we know each other. We grew up in the same town! Small world.

She came inside to show the girls their new beds. Then, the girls "knew" and things went downhill. Case worker gave them BIG hugs, they cried and we all went inside (note as the neighbor watched all of this).

It was sad. They cried for nearly an hour standing at the front door (two side windows - one girl on each side). I finally got one to the couch. No snuggles but away from the window. Then the other (they were together on the couch). More tears. TV on. More tears. Finally, things started to calm down.

I fed G and Z. G, Z and I danced to music. They watched but didn't eat or dance.
Eventually K went to check out the playroom but back to the couch. Then, M. Then, the "where are you" started that I think will continue for some time - 4 kids! wow!

My Mom came in with some extra groceries (milk, etc.). She is WONDERFUL with kids and just sat and on stood beside her and my Mom rubbed her hair which she liked (K). M started rubbing my Mom's foot and made a connection.

I was told that they are fabulous during the day but as soon as PJs come out at night things spiral, eventually into night terrors.

So, ~830 pm (the girls normally go to bed at 11!), I put DS to bed in his "new" room." At 9 pm, all 3 girls headed upstairs, M and K with tears and fear. I sent G to her room and told her I'd be in. She OBEYED! (I later went back to brush her teeth and tuck her in.)

First to bed was M. Then K. TEARS. Note, I put them to bed in their clothes (eliminated the whole PJ thing for one night). Gave them toys, etc. Total fear in their eyes. Then, I decided to leave the light on. People...I think that is it! They went to sleep. No real tears. I did hear them 2X in the night and I can tell that at least M has been out of bed to get a toy but they are sleeping in their beds. No night terrors, at least last night.

Long term - who knows BUT they appear to be a long term placement that is likely to end in an adoption plan. They will/could have long term contact with their sibling (which I'm in favor of!).

Today is the weekly visit with BM. Friday is an unsupervised visit with another relative and then we head to the weekend.

Details:
M and K are identical twin girls (although one is a whole size larger than the other so I can easily tell them apart!). They are biracial and even the case worker mentioned as we watched all 4 kids in the driveway: Wow! They look like they all belong together. Visually, it all works. Seriously, one looks a lot like DD.

Lord, please give us all strength and peace. Also, keep my work load lighter for a couple of weeks so we can adjust.