Doodle Smith??!?

Almost 3 weeks ago I had major surgery. The night before I went into the hospital, Doodle went to respite with an amazing family.  A family that I'd met before but didn't know personally. We have mutual friends and I felt VERY comfortable with her staying there while I recovered. The plan was 3 days. I stayed in the hospital 1 night and by the time I was released it was apparent I was going to need more time to recover so I asked  if she could stay for a few more days. I could barely walk and hold myself up let alone a 17 pound baby. They said yes. A few days later I asked to extend it to a full 7 days. They said yes. One week turned into 2...

***The inside story***

Speaking to the home finder PRIOR to surgery I asked her who she thought would be a good respite placement for Doodle. She asked if we were pre-adoptive for her and I had to answer no. She said she has pre-adoptive families that are willing to do respite and she mentioned 2 to me. I was not ok with either family. In one family there was no one to stay home and in the other, the dad was stay at home and the couple was in their 50's. I just wasn't at peace with that. (VERY THANKFUL this home finder values my opinion for Doodle).  We threw around the idea of Doddle staying here and going to daycare everyday for a week but I didn't think that would be good either because I couldn't hold her and I KNOW if she saw me...she'd want me. The home finder then mentioned a couple, The Smith's, whose name I'd heard before and I know we have some mutual friends. They are young and already fostering a 3 yr old boy. I had briefly spoken to Mama Smith at a training and we almost crossed paths regarding a placement of her foster sons brothers a few years back. I was so comfortable with the idea of Doodle going to them. We arranged a meeting for Mama Smith and I to get together for her to meet Doodle and for us to speak.  The next day I met her at the mall where she and Doddle hit it off.  Before long, Doodle was cooing and laughing in her arms. I was amazed. I explained to Mama Smith that we are not a pre-adoptive home for Doodle and I know that the home finder said that they were pre-adoptive. I asked her what she thought about keeping Doodle longer than the supposed 3 days...like maybe 5 days or even a week. She was definitely ok with that. We spoke in depth about Doodle's case and the fact that many of us think that Doodle's mom expecting another baby.  She said that her and Papa Smith were ok with taking on a sibling if it came to that and she told me a little more about her foster son and the way she's kept connections with his bio 1/2 brothers. The more we spoke the more I felt like I found a new friend. I explained to her that since we have no interest in adopting, and with Doodle's lack of bonding with her birth mom, that it would benefit Doodle to be placed with her forever family sooner than later. She agreed. (I mean seriously! If you were adopting a baby...wouldn't you want that baby in your arms as young as possible!?!?!) I told her that I would not request Doodle to be moved but she could ask the home finder about having Doodle moved to them. So, 3 days turned into 5 and then a week.  She made calls to the home finder that went unanswered.  Then I called Doodle's worker and asked if we could extend the respite another week because Mama Smith had no problem with it.  The home finder finally called her back and they spoke.  THEN the home finder called me. She asked what she thought about having Doodle moved to the Smith's house because they were pre-adoptive. I told her that I thought that it was the best decision for Doodle because of her age and circumstance.  The home finder then reminded me that we would now have an empty bed and things are 'picking up' in D*S*S* land. 

Mama Smith has brought Doodle to us when she picked up the remainder of her clothes, toys, diapers and formula from our home.  She is happy, healthy and THRIVING in the Smith home. I am BEYOND excited that I get to be a part of this unfolding story.  Doodle's bio mom has been skipping visits for the past 4 weeks and I am so glad that Doodle has the Mama and Papa Smith to love on her while she goes through this journey called 'foster care'.  I know God is faithful...and she is in the palm of His hand.