In foster care, one phone call can instantly change lives. If you follow Foster2Forever on Facebook and Twitter, you already know that we received that call yesterday.
We are so excited to be adopting Lil Bit tomorrow and are busy preparing for the big day. I was blindsided yesterday morning when I received a call from our caseworker.
“Lil Bit’s birthmom gave birth to a healthy, full-term baby boy that will be released from the hospital tomorrow. The State is giving you the first option for placement.”
WHOA!!! Gulp! A day before Lil Bit’s adoption! A newborn! Another boy! Another probable adoption! Wow! Overwhelming! A decision that can change a life to be made quickly!
I called FosterDad. His assistant answered. He was in a meeting.
“I need FosterDad to call me immediately!”
She was concerned at the tone of my voice. I assured her that everything was fine, and told her about the call. We both laughed and agreed that FosterDad was going to freak out. She assured me that he would be sitting down when he called back, and I asked her to record his reaction.
His reaction was disbelief and just flat-out overwhelming shock. I could hear his assistant cackling in the background.
We had a huge decision to make. I reached out to our Facebook friends – you are the best! I was struggling until I read what Shawn wrote:
“Look back to your post on Nov 10th at 11:43 am.”
That post was related to our situation with Stinkpot’s care and read:
When feeling down and confused, blessings from above can make you soar above the clouds! Thank you, Lord, for your unexpected blessings!
I cried realizing that this baby was an unexpected blessing, and there was a reason for this call. Thank you, Shawn!
THEN I RECEIVED ANOTHER PLACEMENT CALL!
A caseworker from Austin called later in the afternoon:
We are calling to inform you that STINKPOT‘s birthmother gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and we would like to place the newborn with you.
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Both my boys become big brothers the same week! TWO NEWBORNS??? TWO more boys??? Twins!!!
AAAAHHHHHH!!!!! Good thing I was laying down at the time. I AM ONE FREAKED OUT CHICK!
I stammered why I am laughing so uncontrollably. Fortunately, this seasoned caseworker knew what was going on and promised to call right back.
His instinct was right – the message had gotten mixed up along the way and it was, in fact, Lil Bit’s birthmom that had given birth, not Stinkpot’s. (I had thought she was in prison.)
A LIFE-CHANGING DECISION
We have a HUGE decision to make! FosterDad felt uneasy about adding the newborn baby to our family given Stinkpot’s current adjustment issues. I felt uneasy about saying no to this newborn baby when we fought so hard to keep Lil Bit.
I needed to talk to the baby’s caseworker.
She called last night, and I shared our concerns and how much we are struggling with the decision. She understood. Apparently, the State has no other homes lined up for this baby.
My first concern has to be with Stinkpot, and that right now adding a baby may shake up his world more than he can handle right now at this moment.
I asked to be kept informed of the case. I feel sick for saying no.
