Monday, January 05, 2009

Foster Fun: or, Eight is Enough!

If you have read Enter the Rainbow for any length of time, you know that we are a foster family. Here and here and here and here and here are some of the posts I've written about foster care, if you want to read a bit about our experiences.

Well, we have a BIG week this week, to say the least. Two weeks ago, we made arrangements to have two brothers living with us for one week in a "respite care" placement. Then last week, we got a call for a "traditional" placement for two more brothers. Having already said yes to the respite placement, we did not feel like we could back out on it.

And so, that means the Bryan household contains eight people this week - the four Bryans and FOUR foster kids, ages 9 and 5 and 5 and 2. Wahoo!

I'm happy to report that dinner and bedtime went well last night - six kids ate, bathed, brushed teeth, got something like pajamas on their bodies, and had a place to sleep. Wesley, our son, was extra gracious is volunteering his bunk bed for our one-week guests, in favor of an inflatable bed on Cori's bedroom floor; believe me, we have been singing his praises (and Cori's) all weekend for that. And everyone slept all night long, which was nice.

And this morning somehow we got five kids up, breakfasted, dressed, and successfully delivered to four different schools IN TIME, the 2 year old staying home with Erin. Yes, you read that correctly - 5 kids to 4 schools on time!

We'll see how the rest of this week goes. Whatever else it brings, I'm pretty sure this week is going to reaffirm our comittment to taking just two foster kids at a time! It's chaos, but it is beautiful chaos - and it is, most importantly, temporary chaos.

Thanks for your prayers!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

My dear, dear ones - What amazing people you are! Erin, hang in there, girl. I'm sure with Andy at work, you are the primary one holding down the fort. Andy, your calming influence will help a lot. Cori and Wes, you are such fantastic foster siblings. I know thase kids will learn a lot about love and compassion from you. I'll be glad to help in any way I can.

Love, Mom/Caryl/Nanny

Anonymous said...

Andy:

It really warmed my heart to read this post today. I was so down after reading your previous experience not too long ago. Congrats to you, your wife, and the little ones!
As a father of four, getting three to one school, or all four to church on time is quite a feat for us. Again, bravo!

Best,
Joseph

Anonymous said...

Wahoo!! Celebrate the successes with great gusto! I just bet you made it fun.

Diana

Anonymous said...

God bless you guys...all gagillion of ya!