Carrying on

It is amazing how quickly life goes right back to the normalcy of having children. We were just one week shy of being childless for three months and, while we enjoyed our little break, I am so glad to be a mommy again. Life is not all sunshine and gumdrops but our last case taught us so much and, while this little guy is giving us new challenges, things are going relatively smooth.

Little Man was severly neglected. I know he spent at least 48 hours on his own this last time while his mom was passed out intoxicated. This wasn't a new thing for him. In just over a year's time CPS has stepped in four times. The first time he stayed in the home and services were presented for the two of them. The next three times, which happened in the last twelve months, he was removed. He went to the same foster home during the first two removals but they are not a foster-to-adopt home like we are. That is why he came to us this past removal. It appears to all parties involved that his mother's rights will be permanently terminated.

This past weeke has been tough for him. He has said several times over the past 18 days that he misses his mom but this past week things have ramped up. Starting this past Wednesday he has been sad a lot. He pouts but he barely cries. He says he's sad because he misses his mom. It is heartbreaking. I've been told that when she was sober she was a great mom. She just couldn't beat the alcohol. I don't know if there was anything else going on but I know she drank heavily.

We just keep on carrying on here. A lot of love and attention and structure. That's all we can really do. He tries out patience like the other boys do but he is a lot different too. He feels like he is ours already. We see a great future for all three of us.