Some Background on SA and QB

I need to preemptively state that we both are not allowed to share lots of details - both with anyone not connected to the case and especially not online - nor would we be comfortable sharing some things if we were allowed to. Some parts of my kids' history should be kept personal, not out of shame or guilt, but just because it's sensitive information. It's up to them to decide when and how to share with people, if at all. We as foster parents also aren't allowed to post pictures or lots of identifying details about our foster kids and their cases online, in any forum, be it Facebook or blogs or what-have-you. (Once an adoption happens, and they are part of our family forever, then it's up to our discretion.) With all of that being said, many have been asking me about the backgrounds of the girls, so here are some basics I can share.

Sweet Angel and Queen Bee are from a sibling group of five kids. They have two older siblings and one younger sibling. Their natural home life was not a good one, and they were removed for a variety of reasons. Their parents have had their rights terminated already, which is a point way farther ahead in the case than any we've come into before.

They were placed into a relative's care for foster and then adoptive placements. There have since been things come to light in that home that made it necessary for all five of them to be removed from that home before an adoption could be followed through. The kids were placed in a children's shelter in September. Since then, the state has been looking for a family willing to take in all five children. Of course, that is a huge task for anyone, so, unfortunately, they were unable to find a home for all five of the siblings to be together. They have broken them up, but plan to ensure that the kids remain in contact with each other. We completely agreed to work out ways for the children to see each other. We discussed setting up meetings via e-mail at the park or zoo, or another central location.

(It breaks our hearts to hear about the five siblings being separated, parceled out, split up. The Man of the House and I looked at each other when we heard that, and we could read each other's minds: "Oh, if only! Can we get a bigger house? Adopt them all when it's over?" Of course, SEVEN kids is... well, SEVEN KIDS!!!! But, hey, if God calls you to it, you obey. Now, don't worry or shake your head at me! We didn't ask or inquire! We know we have a lot on our plates for the time being!)

We don't know how this case will proceed nor its time line. With a biological parent losing custody, there is a set process that takes about a year during which they work service plans and have supervised visits, following which a decision is made regarding the future of the child/ren. We will just have to see how the judge rules and leads this case, since it's out of the ordinary. The caseworker told us that the state is going to fight against reinstating the children at the family-foster home, and intend to have the children adopted. We were asked if we would be willing to adopt the girls, and we of course said yes.

We would love to have Queen Bee and Sweet Angel be part of our family forever. I love watching how my other two have risen to this and how they show their sweet hearts and love. Miss A and Little Guy have taken to the twins like champions. Today, Miss A got to "share" them for "Show and Tell" with her sweet kindergarten class. I cracked up watching her herd them into the room like sheep, saying, "Come on, sweeties!" Like I expected, after getting to know the twins for a couple of days, Queen Bee bounced around the room at Miss A's side, allowing "big sister" to show her everything in the room, and Sweet Angel took one look at all of those kids, walked to the corner and hid behind the coats hanging on the cubbies. I picked her up and got in some good cuddles with her while the others milled around. It's fun to see their personalities coming through.

I think that's an automatic "thing" people do with twins - immediately look for and discuss the differences and similarities. Queen Bee is more self-confident and knows what she wants, more likely to butt heads when she doesn't precisely get her way than melt and pout, as Sweet Angel might. YET, at the park, Sweet Angel was bounding up the stairs and crawling like a monkey all over, while Queen Bee played on the ground. Funny observations!

Feeling so blessed. No matter how long they stay with us, we will treasure every day, every hour, every minute, every moment. Thanks for listening to my ruminations and reflections!