That Mother Lode

Today made 3 weeks since I opened my home to a child that was on my heart for months.  The past 3 weeks started out challenging, which I expected as we adjusted to each other.  I clung to the small moments when I felt like we might be connecting or she liked something that I did for her.  However, those moments were rare.  Instead, there was a lot of disrespect, defiance, and destruction.  She exhibited behaviors that her caseworker and previous foster mother had never seen, and she hated that she was in my home.  I didn't take it personally, because I knew that I didn't say or do anything to hurt her, and I was intentional about loving her.  She just didn't want to be with me, and she acted out in ways that had a very negative impact for her.   The placement ended this week.  When I received the notification from my case manager, I was both relieved and sad.  I was relieved that there would be peace again in my home, and the drama ...

It's been 5 days since Sunshine was placed in my home. I went from 0 to 14 in a matter of hours. She arrived at my home with her caseworker, and my heart ached for her, because she was sad about moving from a place where she had lived for 4 years. I knew it would be tough for her, so I tried to make my home as welcoming as possible. We've experienced ups and downs over the past few days, and I know there's so much more to come. I feel overwhelmed. My village has really stepped up to affirm me and let me know that I am not doingthis by myself. Tiny victories: She thought she didn't like dogs. However, she made an instant connection with my dog as soon as they met. She introduced me to " Chicago " by Michael Jackson, and then she told me about Just Dance on YouTube. We danced together to Thriller, Beat It, and she attempted Smooth Criminal on her own. She told me she doesn't eat breakfast and lunch at school, because it's "disgusting". When I a...