The Sponsorship Experience

We submitted our Adoption packet on February 5th, 2010. Driving to drop it off had me thinking about how our life will change when we get our child. It has been "just us" for quite awhile,and we always here how "a baby changes everything," but we are so excited about our "child to be" and feel confident that God will help us adjust.Dropping it off felt like taking a 1,000 pound weight off of our shoulders, and now we prepare for our home study, another chapter ...which is one step closer to our Forever Family.
As part of our MAPP class we had the opportunity to sign up to be matched with a child in foster care and be there sponsor for a weekend a month. What this means is that we would take a child into our home each month for one weekend (and holidays) so they can see what a typical family is like. Our very first weekend with our child, who some of you have already had the opportunity to meet, was last weekend. We had a full weekend, dinners out,pink pancakes, celebrating Valentine's Day early, video games, fishing with Jason and Luke,playing with Baby and Emma (our dogs), cookie decorating, church, and pottery painting. WOW! Just typing that was ALOT! We had a simply wonderful first weekend together with our sponsor child and saw what a difference we can make in just a weekend.Jason and him bonded so well and it was truly AMAZING for me to see my husband around a child. He has been around children before, this was different in that I got to see a glimpse of what kind of dad he will be. He is so patient, thoughtful, caring, and kind and was AWESOME with him!!! Our sponsor child was so excited about everything, no matter how small, he laughed, asked lots of questions, and wanted to always know what was going to happen next. We were totally exhausted but it WAS SO WORTH IT!!! EVERY MINUTE of it!!! I was told by my sweet friend Stephanie that there might be some tears (from me) when I had to drop him off,cant believe I am saying this but I honestly did not think it would affect me but she was RIGHT and I was WRONG!! She should of bet me because she totally would have won. As we started the journey back, he was sad that Jason was not with us because he had to work and said, " why do I have to go back? I was only here two days!" That was so hard to hear. And when leaving our final destination he said, " Make sure Baby and Emma don't forget about me!" This child has already made an impression on us already and WILL NEVER be forgotten, not even by the dogs. The next morning,Baby and Emma actually went and sat at his door after he left waiting for him- so cute!! But that simple statement brought an adult to tears on the drive home and made me realize how much we have to offer a child. We recognize that what this child needs is quality time and love and that is what we intend to provide. Just one weekend has blessed us SOOOOO much and we cannot wait until our next weekend with our sweet sponsor child. Thanks for sharing the Journey!