Three Kids and a Dog

The first phone call came in April. It was the first of two calls that answered a prayer that Steve and I had fervently prayed for more than three years:

Our daughter was coming home.

In February of 2007, three children (Breanna, Nate, and Hailie) who lived with us through foster care reunited with their birthmother. But this was no ordinary foster care case. For many reasons, including the fact that they had lived with us for over 21 months, these children felt like they were our own. We stayed in contact with them, helping their mom by taking them on alternating weekends and on family vacations, making sure they knew that we were still a mom and a dad to them.

A year passed, and Kayanna, Aliegha, and Shaylee came to live with us...ultimately becoming our children in heart and law. But we weren't complete. Our prayers remained the same: "Lord, if it is Your will, bring our children home."

And in April, He sent Breanna home to us.

Two months later, another phone call; another answered prayer.

Nate and Hailie were coming home. Not for forever, but for now. Now is good.

I am still raising my eyebrow at the third phone call. After all, I do not remember praying for Breanna's dog to join us. In fact, I am certain that I didn't.

Apparently, Breanna has been praying for her dog. And so, at 4:30 in the morning, we got another phone call. The dog needed an emergency home. Steve and Breanna were delighted...I was skeptical.

So far, though, everything is going well. And the truth is, I would have taken in an elephant if it meant I could have the opportunity to raise my three children for a while.

I'm counting my blessings; they multiply faster than I can number them.