Well, the boys have been here since Friday afternoon.  The first hour was ok.  Arizona didn't seem to remember me and Lil' Man really could care less who I was he was just happy to go along.  I posted the whole story on the other blog. The boys leave tomorrow.  I can't say that I'm sad to see them go.  Here's a qucik timeline to catch you up...

July 4th, 2009: Boys enter care
                      Owen and Arizona go to one foster home while Lil' Man goes to another.
July 5th, 2009: Owen is moved from that foster home due to violence on foster mom's son.
July 6th, 2009: Arizona and Lil' Man come to live with us.
August    2009: Owen is moved from foster home to ANOTHER home due to foster parents
                       financial situation.
August    2009: visits start with bio mom
January  2010: We request boys to be moved to another foster home due to violence.
April      2010: ALL boys back home with bio mom (ON TRIAL)
May       2010: (just a mere 3 weeks later) Boys BACK into care.  Boys are placed together 2
                      county's away.
July       2010: Boys are moved back to our county into current foster home. 

The boys were 4, 2 and 1 when they entered care last year.  They are now almost 6, 4 and 3.  Arizona is an angry little man (who they now medicate).  They desperately need 'permanency' to begin to heal and start their life instead of having to worry about visits and their 'foster parents'.  Arizona loves to cuddle and hug and he is so sweet but his attitude can change at the drop of a dime.  It's all very scary to me.  Lil' Man is still a shaggy little man (his mom won't let anyone cut his hair till he's 3...that will be REALLY soon!!!)  And although he throws tantrums...he still seems 'pliable' and workable.  Like, it's NOT too late for him.  I have never seen a child like Arizona.  I cannot even speak to him while he's screaming.  I have to wait for his 'episode' to be over and after he 'comes to' he will look at me.  He also is a 'spite' pee-er.  Yesterday, I left him home with my hubby to run 2 quick errands.  Arizona asked to come...I said no (because he had just thrown a HUGE tantrum over not being allowed to have a 3rd cup of juice) and he hit my dog.  So, I explained that 'good listeners get good things and bad listeners get NOTHING'.  And I left.  He stood there and peed.  Hubby was NOT happy.  It feels like they have been here for a week!  There are many other things I can tell you but I should say nothing more than PLEASE PRAY!  I do not think that bio mom can parent these children AT ALL.  I know our job as foster parents are to work with the bios and help them (and all that) but, frankly,  I am a realist.  I know it will most likely come down to adoption for these boys and it's so sad.  They have a HUGE extended family NONE of whom stepped up to take the boys. 
More soon... 
Check over here.

Ok, so, ya ready for some news?  I've definitely been holding out on you!  Guess who's coming back???  Ok, ok, I'll tell you.  Arizona and Lil' Man are coming for the weekend.  I was called last week and asked to do respite and I said yes.  For a few reasons...  One, to see how they are.  Two, so the OTHER people in my house can see how they are.  Three, curiosity.  To be honest I am looking forward to spending the weekend with them and handing them BACK over to the new foster*mom.  This should be interesting...more soon :)

I posted on the other blog...

I spoke to Mami and Papi's family today and found out that HE will be having surgery to remove his adnoids, get tubes and have his tongue clipped. I am SO happy for him. He WILL be a totally different child after that surgery! I also will have them for respite next month for a few days and the following month for a few days. :) Not sure what God has planned. I also start 'working' when my kids go back to school. I will be watching a friends 4 month old SON while she goes back to work as a teacher at my kids school. Only a few days a week but I'll get my 'fix'. We've already had the chance to meet him and he seems like a really good baby. I'm looking forward to it. :) More soon.

I've been thinking about Mami and Papi alot lately. I haven't called their family members to see how they are...yet! Maybe this week. I saw some ADORABLE outfits yesterday and thought of Mami and how cute she'd look in them. Not sure if God has a plan to add them to our family or not. I know HE brought them to us...TWICE. Holding on to the fact that what God has planned is beyond what I could EVER imagine! :)

So, Mami and Papi left yesterday afternoon. The week got kind of messy and went something like this... I got a call for respite from Saturday till Monday. I said yes. On Monday I got a call saying that family member is still in need of respite, can I keep them till Wednesday? I said yes. On Wednesday I got a call saying family member still needs respite till Friday...can I do it? I said yes. Are we seeing a pattern here? It was legit. Mami and Papi were here in May. It was one of those 10pm phone calls and pick up a W*LmaR*t. (Hence, the reason my kids think babies come from there!) After a few days of them here I asked if there were any other family members to take them and they were moved. I have just come to find out that GREAT grandma and GREAT grandpa are certified (foster parents) and have cared for all but 2 of their great grandchildren. These are some AMAZING people!!! Anyway, the babies (ages 11 mo and 2) are home with their family and I am happy for them...Now back to our regularly scheduled programming! :)

Wow. It's Monday and they're still here...shocker!!! LoL :) It seems that they'll be here till Wednesday! Ahh, the joys... I'll tell you all about it when I have the time. Gotta run...I have a nose to wipe!