Saturday, January 26, 2008

tiny bits of love

This little Valentine was just sitting around on the table beside the rocking chair in the family room where baby gets his goodnight bottle. Every once and a while he pops up from his bottle and points to it. I hold it up for him and he giggles or smiles or squeals. Then he reclines and resumes his bottle. Just a tiny part of our day but it's so sweet how much he likes this little Valentine.

He has also become such an avid reader. He loves "Lovey Dovey" (thanks, Cindy!) best of all and searches for the sleeping girl in the last picture. He hands me book after book and listens nicely while I read each page. I thought all of you friends who sent books would like to know how much he's enjoying them.

Jenny asked this week why we're fostering instead of adopting. The simple answer is that we haven't chosen one over the other. We are hoping to adopt someday. Maybe even through the foster program.

We were really guided to the decision to foster. Once we started looking into it, it seemed like everything was pointing that way.

When we were young, at about 4:00 every weekday when the whistle at the mill blew, we'd all pile into the stationwagon to pick my Daddy up from work. One day as he got in the car, dirty from hard work, one of his friends popped his head into the car window. He remarked at what a whole lot of children there were and said something about having enough love to go around. I'll never forget what my father said. "You've got it all wrong" he said "The love isn't subtracted, it's multiplied." As a young one just learning my multiplication tables, I understood what he meant. I think that's what we're doing too. The love we had, just the two of us, will be multiplied with every little one who graces our lives for how every little or long he or she stays. That's what I'm thinking anyway.

By the way, there weren't really that many of us (4) but people always seemed impressed by the size of our family. I can't imagine what it must've been like for Rich in his super-sized family of 11 children!

If you'd asked me a year ago if I would please take a little baby for a month or two, love him like he was my own, and then give him back, I would have told you that you were crazy and that I just wasn't cut out for that kind of thing.

As for now, I know I can handle the love part. In this short time, I've fallen completely head over heels for this little guy. There is a big heartbreak on the horizon, for sure. Maybe we're crazy for doing this to our tender hearts.

Baby is just about ready for his morning nap. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed, after a night full of tears and not much sleep. I hope he's in a better mood after the nap.

16 comments:

jen said...

I've been lurking for a while now (doesn't that sound so . . . icky?) and I wanted to thank you for writing about your fostering experience here. My husband and I can't have kids and I stumbled onto your blog around the same time about a hundred other arrows were pointing toward fostering. We probably won't be ready for it for a year or so, but I just wanted to let you know that you and your philosophy and open heart have been very inspiring.

Have fun with the little one, and thanks.

Nicole said...

Bless you Amy and Rich. Thank you for sharing your bit of the world and the loads of love you are giving baby. Every night our faily says a little prayer for you and yours as you go on this journey.

We have discussed fostering in our family, but find that we are continuelly drawn to another type of fostering, homeless pups. Right now we have 6 in our pack, two that need homes. But for now they are loved and snuggled and treated as family. Just like your baby, they too will have a different home later, but for now, they are so completely ours that we wouldn't want to ever miss these few days full of fun and love that we have with them.

I imagine that you two feel something similar. Anyway, thank you and I know heaven is multiplying all the love you give threefold and sending it back to you.

Anonymous said...

Great attitude, God will bless you!!
Happy hearts,
Carrie
NJ

Susan said...

Amy,
Bless ya'll! I just got the biggest, warm feeling in the midst of a cold, dreary day- just by reading your blog! You are making such a difference in this baby's life. I know it seems like he's too young to know the difference, but your love will impact him eternally. I really believe that!
And as for the sleepless night- I'm sorry. Babies just do that sometimes and you get to play the baby guessing game. Is he wet? Is he teething? Is he getting sick? etc. etc. It's not a fun game. Hang in there- it sounds like you're doing just great!
Susan

Anonymous said...

Oh, you sweet, sweet lady. I love that story about your dad. He was so correct. Which means for you and Rich and the kids it's going to be multiplied and multiplied. I love what you are doing. You are examples of the goodness that exists in this world.
I wish I could give you a great big hug!
XO,
Bari

Lovie said...

Amy, you and Rich have two of the mmost precious, loving hearts! I always enjoy your post, but I think this is my favorite yet. I'm glad Baby loves his Lovey Dovey!

Love,
cindy/Lovey

Anonymous said...

Amy... I've been praying for you through this time. Love is always bitter sweet, isn't it? It's always a risk to let your heart love, because nothing in life stays the same, nothing lasts forever, but you are making a mark in this child's heart that will never be erased. He will have known love. God bless you.

charlotte said...

I love the story of your dad's response and I can see that growing up in such a loving family has set the scene perfectly for this new adventure. So, so happy for the three of you, and wishing you all the best each and every day. xoC

Erin said...

I have adopted, & also have four other children. You are right about "multiplication"...in fact I wrote about just that on my blog recently...the more children you bring into your family, the more you love them all. It's true. As for heartbreak, I know about that too, having lost my beautiful 17 year old son in an accident. I know for sure, that all of the love you share...you and this little one, will bless you both forever! I don't mean to be pushy, but the website www.a4everfamily.org is full of ideas for children who have been through trauma (my daughter spent the first year of her life in an orphanage). It might help you and your little charge get a bit of shuteye. The best to you... what a beautiful thing it is to read about your lovely days with baby!

Unknown said...

Sweet post!

KJ

Kim Caldwell said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely and moving journey with us. I was adopted as a wee one and become very emotional reading the openess of your hearts. Your a rare bird Amy! So thankful you are in this world. . .

Hugs. . .

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Awesome! What a blessing to read your story of love.
Cathy

Gina @ Feather Your Nest said...

Amy, I have wanted to comment since you begun this process. One of my dearest friends has the job of removing these children from their situations and placing them with angels like you. So I know at least second-hand what is involved here and your stories just touch me every time I read them....I mean literally make me teary. I'm so happy you've found this calling, it suits you! And what a lucky guy (and lucky future kids!) that get placed with you & your fun little world!

Heather said...

He is so very blessed to have you for however long is meant to be.

The GlitterFairy... said...

Love hearing of your wonderful new adventure...I know you are enjoying every glorious, sleepless, precious moment! What a lucky little guy he is, and what angels you and your husband are! My heart just about bursts with joy every time I read your blog.
Hugs coming your way...xo
Laurie

Jana said...

Amy, you are soooooo sweet & gentle, I adore you!