Becoming a Family Chapter 9

The girls began to regularly spend one or two nights a week at our house, and we continued to see them other days during the week too-babysitting and picking them up from school. We began to fall into a rhythm together, a familiar, comforting routine.

Our lives were changing dramatically. It was no longer just Matt and me, and we needed to make some pretty big changes to accommodate our growing number. It was time to give the girls their own space. We bought two twin beds, girlie bed linens, curtains, books, and toys to set up a little girls' room for them to sleep and play in.

We got their room finished just in time for the girls' nine-day stay at our home. Their grandparents were taking a trip and had asked us to care for the girls while they were away. I really could not believe that Matt and I were being entrusted with the care of the girls for NINE days. Nine days! We were nervous. And really, really excited.

We continued to establish a family rhythm during those nine days-waking, eating, getting dressed, brushing teeth, getting to school, sleeping.... All the daily tasks. I knew how to do those things for myself. I knew how to care for my husband (most of the time.) But I had a lot to learn about how to care for two three-year-old girls. They woke up so early! There seemed to be so many hours in the day to keep them busy. They wanted to be with me all the time. By my side. I felt unsure of when I should get myself fed or dressed. When did I brush my teeth?

During this same period of time, it became apparent that becoming foster parents could be risky. The county could potentially place the girls with another foster family, and neither the grandparents, nor us were willing to take that risk. We had grown so attached to the girls, and them to us, that we wanted to take precautions where it was possible. So instead, we decided to pursue legal guardianship. This seemed to be a more secure situation for us and for the girls. So we found a lawyer and made an appointment.