7th -8th August - Starting Introductions

What would we feel today, what would we experience today? These were questions rolling around our minds as we went to an introduction meeting and then an hour later to meet the girls. This was a day that we've been looking forward to for nearly three years now, to say we lapped it up would be an understatement. How do you begin to explain what's it like walking into a house and there are two little girls eager to meet you, actually they are our daughters and we're mommy and daddy. (Still has to go through court hearing before totally official)

The first words we heard today as we eagerly opened the door were just that; mommy and daddy. I can't say that we expected that, maybe after a couple of days or a couple of hours but not the first words that we'd hear. I've attempted to reflect on those moments and take pictures in my mind so that they are not lost, ever. They are the type of moments that Kodak calls for, or the kind that Instagram or Snapchat tend to catch, but on this occasion it wasn't to be disrupted by the camera or mobile it was for our eyes and ears only. After all this time to be seated in the foster carers front room, interacting with the girls, playing with one while the other toddled around, or holding one while the other did a puzzle, it didn't matter what we did. Actually the younger one fell asleep on my lap, that was bliss just relaxing there together.

At some point we'll capture some pics and video, but for now we're relishing in the experience and taking mental pictures. We have literally just met them today for the first time and already see interesting traits, personality likenesses and have made memories from just an hour and half together. As I said to someone yesterday now that we have reached this point it is actually the beginning, and that means more memories that you can count on their way!

Well more memories were created today, as we walked through the door there they both were one with cheeky grin and the younger one waving and saying hiya. They understood who we were and that we had come to be with them, to play, interact and simply be. We were there for three hours, to be honest it felt like hardly more than a half-hour, it went so quickly. There was a bit of crying here and there, lots of laughter, a bit of reading, painting and playing peekaboo. It felt normal, that was one of our concerns and prayers, that we could be at the foster carers house and it would just be normal.

Often in life we are not looking for normal, it's either a let-down, or maybe even a failure if it's just 'normal'. Many times we think we need the optional extras, or as McDonalds made famous not just a meal but make a Supersize meal. Something without the bells and whistles might be looked down on, but for us right now its great to have it a regular feeling Thursday and Friday. We'll see what the rest of the weekend has in store, probably a visit to a soft play area, along with more time at the home. Then next week more adventures and memories will no doubt be made.