1st Week of Fostering

It has been a week since Melissa first moved in with us.  A super quick week actually and quite a busy one.  My sisters were here for 5 days of it and I am really, really, really sad that they are gone, but I loved having them here.  I loved that they got to meet Melissa.  I love that fall is right around the corner... yes, totally random I know, but I'm just getting sooo excited for it!!

Melissa and Kassidy have been getting along very well.  Of course, we have had our bumps and expect even more to come, but in general they are awesome together.  Melissa herself is a great girl.  She is smart and loving.  A little too loving.  She has no stranger danger at all, which is an issue of its own.  Melissa just fits our family.  She just joined right in and is here.  Part of that is her personality and part of that just is.  I am the one who is struggling. 

I am struggling because my heart and brain are not agreeing on some issues.  We have been told that Melissa is going back to her family.  Definitely.  When?- we do not know.  We are super affectionate and constantly telling Kassidy how much we love her.  It has been us 3 forever.  I struggle because I don't want Melissa to get too attached to us.  My heart thinks that her heart will break when she leaves.  My heart also thinks that she will be happy to be going anywhere that will be permanent.  My head thinks that she shouldn't get attached to one more person in her life.  She already gives herself too much to others only to be taken away or hurt by them.  My head thinks that it would be better for her to feel the strong love from someone at least once in her life.  My head also thinks that I would not want someone I didn't know to just be pouring out their love on me when I really don't know them. 

So I struggle.  In the past week, I have shown very little affection to Kassidy and besides at bedtime, when I tell them both that I love them, I have not told Kassidy that I love her except for when we are alone.  This is not how I mother and this is not who I am.  The fear and confusion does not come from me not wanting to get hurt.  I am prepared for that... I think.  Some moments with Melissa feel like she is meant to be in our family and like she has been here for so long already.  Other moments I still care deeply for her but feel good about her going home. 

This foster thing is crazy.  I never thought it wouldn't be.  Melissa is a breeze... an angel placement.  And just a little 6 year old who wants a mommy and daddy to love her forever no matter what. 

Tomorrow is the first day of school.  Melissa will be going into 1st grade at our local public school and Kassidy will be going into 2nd grade at home with me.  I think that will help me.  The schedule is crazy and not a help but I think the quality time with K will help, because I also struggle because I feel like I do not have enough alone time with K anymore.  I mean we were always alone before.  I guess this is the feeling all parents of more than one child have.  The feeling like there is not enough of you to go around.  It is ok, though, and I know God gives and will continue to give us what we can handle.  The relationship between the girls is like nothing else.  Having a sister is an amazing gift and a little less individual mommy time is the cost, but I think it's a good trade.  :)

A Little Note for Hospitality

So this is my beautiful sister, Rachel, and my wonderful daughter, Kassidy.  Rachel lives in CA and we were sooo excited that she came to visit for her Spring Break!   

The night before she left, Rachel thought Kassidy would like to do makeovers and of course she was right!  Rachel even brought makeup just for this purpose, which I thought was soo sweet and thoughtful!

I also thought it was quite gutsy that Rachel would suggest this right before we went to eat.

But....

I think they both turned out beautifully!

So the next day my sister left and took part of my heart with her like always.  :(

And after getting home from the airport, Kassidy brought me this note with some money attached.



Thank You!  For your hospitality, groceries, gas, water & laundry load!  now... SPEND ME!  (or save me)

I am not showing the note because I wanted to point out anything about my hospitality but because:

1) How sweet is my sister?!?!  She is so thoughtful.  I hope she always knows and feels like we would welcome her into our home any time because my home is her home also.

2) I think the art of notes/letters is lost and they are super amazing!  I need to really work on sending more notes and letters even to just tell someone they are on my mind and in my heart.  I also really need to work on leaving notes for my husband and daughter.  I think they warm the heart and refresh the spirit.  I will get some sticky notes and start leaving notes!

3) This was the first note/letter/anything that I have ever received from someone who has stayed at my house.  I don't think that's because we haven't been good hosts before... not that we have been anywhere near amazing, but I think it is more because we (at least everyone in our family) have lost the art of hospitality.  Giving and receiving.  I know that the last few times we have been guests at different family member's houses I have meant to send a Thank You note but I never have.  I don't want anyone who visits me to ever feel like they need to send me a letter/note/etc because I always want my home to be comfortable, relaxing, fun, enjoyable and always open to guests.  But, I will try and always let someone know how much I appreciate them opening their home to us. 

 I am going to save my first little note because it warms my heart, refreshes my spirit, continues to remind me of my sister, makes me want to show better hospitality, and reminds me to be a more gracious and acknowledging guest.   

Do you have any tips on remembering to send out cards/letters/notes?  Have you ever received a little note that meant so much to you?