So lately this little guy has been on my mind a lot...
For those of you who may not know, we have been foster parents for three years and have had 7 foster kids live with our family. We were blessed to have two of those babies join our forever family. Four of our foster kids were only with us for several weeks.
And then there's Mikey. Mikey came into our care when he was 11 months old and was with us for 6 beautiful, hectic, and emotional months. He is such a great little guy and became such a big part of our family.
Mikey and Sam are only a month apart and life was very busy, to say the least. (Check out Mont in the back of this picture!)
The kids adored Mikey. He had the cutest, most infectious laugh and was such a roly poly little baby! Garreth used to say that Mikey was built like a bowling ball!
I still can't get over how many times I got asked if these two were twins!
Best friends and worst enemies. After Mikey went home, Sam seemed a little lost and lonely for a week. They were two little peas in a pod.
It was hard to get him to show it for pictures, but what a great smile!
Below is what our family looked like for two crazy weeks. DCFS called to see if we could take a sibling group of three. The kids were at the emergency shelter and needed a placement quickly and if we couldn't take them, would have to be split up and go to separate foster homes. Since our hearts are much bigger than our brains, we agreed to take them. But logistically we knew that it could only be short-term, until the state could find a family willing to foster all three. After two very stressful weeks, the state found a family that could take the two girls (Cassie, age 10 and Mykala, age 2) but not the baby. By this time we had fallen completely in love with Mikey, so when they asked if we could keep him, the answer was easy.
This was a very bittersweet day. I'm getting so emotional just writing about it. This was the day we had to return Mikey to his family. They worked so hard to turn their lives around for their kids and we were proud of them for that, but he had become our baby, too. Lots of tears were shed that day and for many days afterwards.
Today is Mikey's third birthday.
I still think about him and miss him and wonder how he's doing and what he looks like now. It's hard to know that he will never even remember our family, but I hear that his family is doing really well and I'm so grateful for that. He is a truly great kid, and I'll probably always think of him as mine.
I love you, baby Mikey! Happy Birthday!
9 comments:
Erin, I was touched to read about how much good you and your family are doing. What a wonderful thing to be foster parents and to help those wonderful kids that need love. Heahter and I have always wanted to do foster care, but we have to know that we are ready for the anguish of losing some of the children we'd put our heart and soul in to. You mentioned that two foster kids have joined your forever family. I had a small inkling that Sam wasn't from the Erin Beckstead gene pool, but which other of your kids have you adopted? The other three just look so much like you and Garreth, that it's hard to tell. Heather and I are extremely serious about adoption at the moment. We have 4 kids and we really want to reach out in a completely selfless way and help another child. I always knew you had a big heart...you were always a good person..it sounds like you married one too...what a wonderful family you have. I'd love to chat more with you about foster care and adoption. God Bless!
Curtis
I got teary eyed reading this. We too loved big Mikey! I hope that he is doing well.
Dang...now I am crying! even though Mikey may not remember you he is definitely being watched over and blessed by his experience in your family...even for the short time that it was. You guys are angels and I love ya!
S
Mikey, the baby with the most kissable cheeks EVER! I can't believe he, Sam and Iris are 3 all this summer. I bet he is such a little hunk these days. :)
I never met Mikey, but this post was so unbelieveably sweet. Thanks for sharing your experience with such a cute little guy!
Now I'm crying too... The Ratchfords have hearts of gold, that is FOR CERTAIN. You continue to bless the lives of everyone you touch. May God bless you always!
You are amazing!! Aaron's stepsister was a foster parent of three and ended up adopting all three. Oh, by the way we love your new house, good luck with your move!!!
We are so proud of the kind of parents you and Garreth are. And what a great thing for Grace and Liam to learn to love everyone and gain new brothers and sisters just from a phone call from DCFS. There's a place in heaven just for you and all those great foster parents out there!
You are amazing! What incredible experiences you are giving your kids. What an example of service! I got huge goosebumps and crocidle tears reading about Mikey.
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