It's been 3 weeks since Missy came back to our home. It is still crazy to me to say those words. When I saw Bair pop up on my phone I was not expecting it would be about her. I was just starting to come to terms with her being gone and probably not coming home to us. It had been over 5 months. If she was going to come back it would have happened already. Everyone thought so. I had imagined over and over in my head what it would be like to hear that she was coming home. Those sceneries were not even close to the real thing.
It was 2:45 pm, Malachi was napping, Doug was in the living room playing videos games and I was laying in bed, still recovering from the flu. Bair Foundation popped up on my phone. My first thought.. "Here we go, this is it" (for a new child) I answered. It was our Bair worker for Mac and Missy's case. I didn't think anything of it since she had been helping out with intakes and we have talked off and on for awhile.
BW: "I have good news for you. Missy (insert real name) has come back into care."
Me: sobbing immediately and uncontrollably.
We talked for another minute as I asked if she was okay and a couple details. She said she would tell the investigator to move forward with placement and would call me back with a time for drop off. I immediately jumped out of bed and ran to tell Doug. I was crying so hard that he didn't get what I said at first. Then we cried together. I was shaking and weeping. I called my mom and then Bair called back again. They will be dropping her off at 4 pm. It was 3 at that point. Missy will be here in an hour. In. An. Hour!!! We jumped into action. Got dressed, Doug showered, I cleaned as much as possible. We had all been sick all week. Piles of stuff everywhere. Meds out. Food out. We were a mess. With all the adrenaline I felt like super woman, I wasn't sick anymore (until later that night) I even cracked a joke and said "acabelieve it!"
4pm rolled around. Cps and Bair showed up. Missy was in a car seat with a blanket draped over it. I took in a breath as I lifted the blanket. There she was. staring right at us. Guys she smiled the moment she saw us. I cried, again. It's a thing with me. Get used to it. :)
We filled out paper work, discussed details and cps and Bair left. In 2 short hours, we were a family of 4 again.
When Missy left our home I broke. In every way possible. It was beyond devastating. I would constantly pray that she would be safe and healthy and ultimately come home. Every time , and I mean EVERY time, I prayed a thought would pop in my head, "6 months, just wait, 6 months" I honestly didn't think anything of it, just wishful thinking I thought.
Missy returned to us the day before she turned 6 months.
That was so the Lord. He knew exactly when she would come home.
Our Bair worker said that calling us was the best phone call she has ever made in her years working there. The case worker that we had to drop Missy off to when she left our home called us crying when she heard Missy was back with us. She felt horrible the day we lost her and it was something she never forgot. She was thrilled to know that she was safe with us. I could go on with stories like these.
We still have a long road ahead of us. Nothing is certain. Missy requires a lot of attention, she's been through so much. We have done a bazillion doctor appts and check ups and more to come. She starts ECI therapy next week. We have finally started to get into a rhythm with feedings and sleeping. She's getting healthier and stronger every day. She's bonded more to us. Mac ADORES her. I am finally starting to get back to where I was with her in the beginning. It's a strange thing having to rebond with a child who you weren't expecting to come back, who doesn't know you as "momma" We are relearning each other all over again. We will get there. God is good and faithful.
Continue to pray as we continue to adjust and go through the whole process again as we hope to make her forever ours.
