These last four months have been so hard on the Bowers home!!! On March 19th we released our 4 angels to go start a wonderful life with their adoptive family in Minnesota. That was so hard but also so sweet to see them to begin to lay down roots and bond with the family who was going to raise them. I was their mommy for 18 months. I wasn't sure how I would respond when it actually took place but I give God all the glory for the comfort he gave me during that time. Watching them load that plane and waving good bye..........so sad but then there was that light at the end of the tunnel for them. Our home was open once again to see who the Lord would bring.While we had the 4 fosters we also had another little guy named Little CH. He was a sweetie but a handful. He was 3 years old. Right after the four foster kids left we got a call for 3 more little ones. We accepted. It wasn't long before I knew I was completely over my head. I have 4 children 3 and younger. 3 in diapers!!! Temper tantrums, screaming, early mornings, diapers, did I say diapers........oh my!!!! My home use to be a tight ship -- things in their place -- NO MORE!!! Its shocking how you can move beyond that stage and not even realize it until you are knee deep and then you realize "what in the world am I going to do?" I lasted 1 month with the three kids. I finally made the call to have the kids moved. I have been doing this for 5 years and NEVER have I had kids moved. We even took in teenagers and NEVER did I make the call. But I could tell my husband was about the snap and I too was about to snap. I was an emotional wreck when making the call to my certifier and through tears and hyperventilating I finally got it out. Within two days the 3 kids were gone and back with the old foster mom who had them for 9 months before me. Thank you Jesus that they were able to keep them together and in a wonderful home!!! Then it came to a point where Little CH was not working either. Our desire is to do siblings but there is no way I could fathom taking on more children when he was in our home. After putting this call off for several months I made the call. DHS started working on it and Praise the Lord he was placed with his old foster mom who he was with for 1 year before me! and to make this whole thing better they want to adopt him!!! Praise the Lord!!!!
Once all of our fosters were gone we decided to take a break until July 1st to regroup and just breath. I think everyone needs to do that once in awhile. Once July hit I held my breath. I knew DHS was desperate for home and I knew my phone would not stop ringing. Well to my surprise my phone never rang. The second week went by and it still never rang (from DHS anyways). I called to make sure we were on the board and we were not. So they put us on the board and I told them Im going to be picky. I was very specific on the ages, types of kids we were willing to take, etc. My phone never rang!!! My husband and I both took this as a sign from the Lord that he still wants us to rest. We went on a trip, we did things as a family and just relaxed. And then I got a call today........
I got a call from the Supervisor of DHS. I NEVER get calls from her. In fact I was on a speaker phone and there were other supervisors in the room as well. They were in a crisis. They had this 10 year old boy who was flipping out and needed to be moved. They said that they need an experienced home to take him. They said they think we have the "touch" for kids like this! I told them I need to talk with my husband regarding this and see if he is up to it. I sat my husband down and told him the situation and he said "this little boy has been through alot!". He said okay -- if you want to. I called back the supervisor and said "okay we will give it a shot". They were very thankful.
About 1 hour later the caseworker called me and told me that they were had to stop at Mental Health with this boy. They offered him $10 to get in the car and he accepted. They wernt sure if they were going to take him to a behavior home type setting or if he could go to community foster care. He needed to be evaluated first. They said he was pretty hyped up with kicking and screaming when he got there. They mentioned my name and he flipped out!!! They told me it was something about my name that got a rise out of him! by this time my stomach is in a knot and I don't know if Im up for this! They said he had headphones on and he would not take them off. I was picturing a gangster!!! and I was thinking of my family dynamics and what chaos this could bring. Im not paying this boy to behave!!! The caseworker gave me her number and said "if you need me to pick him up this weekend heres my phone number". I was sitting out in the waiting room not wanting to go into this room with this wild boy!!! I might have a chair thrown at me or something. Then the door opened and the lady asked me if I wanted to meet him. I prayed!!! I went into this room and there sitting in a chair was this little 10 year old boy. The cutest little thing you would have ever seen. I introduced myself to him. He shook my hand and said nice to meet you. When the adults were talking I could see out of my peripheral vision he was staring at me. I looked at him and I said do you want to go home with me? He said yes. He was responding to questions asked and he acted very happy and he was ready to go. He keeps making comments that he is only going to stay for a few days. And that is okay. We will take one day at a time. At least I get to see his good side. That could turn anytime -- but for today he is a delight to have!!! I love this boy!!!!!
Lord -- You created this little guy!! He's been through alot!!! I pray you help us help him. I pray we can make a difference!!! Please use us however you wish. Thank you for this little guy for the time he is with us.
