We were able to find what appears to be a good foster home for Natalie. (For those who missed it, her tribe won't allow adoption or guardianship, so she is essentially stuck in foster care for the forseeable future. Since we are an adoptive home, not a foster home, she needed to be moved to somewhere she can stay until her plan changes... or she grows up. We let the state know at the beginning of the year, we were setting a deadline to have her moved before we left on vacation at the end of February.)
As of last week, they were no closer to finding her a new home than they'd been at the first of the year! So I took things into my own hands a little bit. I went to my foster parent coffee meeting armed with an adorable photo of our 2 year old. By the end of the meeting, I had found a fellow foster mom ("Lolo") who only had a 3 year old boy in her home, had room for another, and thought Natalie was a doll. We arranged for Lolo to drop by after the meeting to spend some time getting to know her. Their meeting went great, Natalie was charming, and we heard from Lolo the next day, wanting to take her for an overnight on the weekend. (Yes, I was honest about Natalie's fits and rages, and her sleep issues. Lolo seemed unconcerned.)
Natalie did great on her visit over the weekend, and the move date was set... Wednesday. She leaves tomorrow, after more than a year in our home. We will miss her, but I am thankful she's going to a good home, and that we should be able to keep in some level of contact with her (since her new mom also goes to some of the support meetings). We've also offered to do respite care as needed.
We'll spend tomorrow morning hanging out at a nearby children's museum, making one last day of memories. Brian has to be at work in the afternoon/evening, and Natalie will be picked up after dinner... after which my "Grump Therapy" girls will be here to talk me down.
Glad you found her a home where you will stilll be able to have contact with her, but sorry you have to go through the loss yet again.
Posted by: carrie | 02/16/2010 at 12:01 PM
I'll be praying for you. I KNOW how hard this is. Your vacation will help you all regroup. Funny, we went to Disneyland too just after one of our long term boys left us. We keep thinking it's time to go back to celebrate the completion of our family now. We'll probably wait another year or so though. Too much "stuff" going on right now with the kids.
Posted by: Tracy | 02/16/2010 at 12:22 PM
Prayers and HUGS!!!!
That is wonderful that you were able to take things into your own hands and make this happen the best way possible for everyone. I know it will be hard and we will definitely keep the prayers going. Please let me know if you need anything!! :)
Blessings,
Sarah
Posted by: sarah | 02/16/2010 at 01:53 PM
So glad you were able to provide her with so much love and care, though I know the heartbreak.
Posted by: Koe | 02/16/2010 at 08:43 PM
Aw, I'm so sorry... Such a little sweetie. Hugs to you, and give her a squeeze from me. <3
Posted by: Steph :o) | 02/16/2010 at 10:08 PM
You have provided her with so much love and care, You are a true servant and a living example of 'do unto the least of these'
Thanks for your example. Praying for peace.
Posted by: Carolynn Slocum | 02/17/2010 at 05:12 PM
I'm going to miss Natty...
Posted by: Adalia | 02/20/2010 at 10:57 AM