While waiting for Katie and Millie to finish their art class today, I took J4 and M1.5 to Walmart. J4 got so excited as we walked around, pointing to all the yummy foods she hoped I might pick, all the pretty clothes, all the fun toys. She has a speech issue and she just went off in her own form of gibber-language the entire time we were in the store. I’ve heard her speak like that before, but not for that length of time and it was pretty fascinating. She really wanted this yellow ball and for $2.50, I got it.

After paying for the ball and a few other things, we went back out to the van where I received a phone call informing me the girls would likely be placed into their long-term home really soon. What I didn’t know at that time was that really soon meant in 3.5 hours. It took the better part of those 3.5 hours and a flurry of phone calls back and forth before it was all finalized and I had them packed and ready. And then…another phone call…two boys, brothers…Friday afternoon and that means…us or the shelter for the weekend and could we? would we?

I know. I know. There has to be a time coming in which I’m forced to say no. But today just didn’t seem to be that day. I had no good reason for saying no other than I’m just tired, but I’m 39 and I’m always tired, so what’s new?

And in a whirlwind of kids and case workers, 2:30 hit and the girls left just as the boys were coming in, literally at the exact same moment. And these boys…so sweet, so ornery, so much brothers, they came in, they made themselves at home. They may not be here long, we never know. Our track record so far is 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 30 days, 2 days, and now these boys. Could be Monday or it could be the full 30 days, but regardless, every day they are here is a day they aren’t in the shelter, or an unsafe situation.

And so, just like that, we’re back to boys again. We’re getting this boy thing down now. And they also love the yellow ball.