Here are pictures from Gotcha Day.
This is the home where Axel has spent the last 2 1/2 years. It is small, about the size of a trailer home, and the inside is neat at tidy. There are *many* mementoes from their lives proudly displayed in ever nook and cranny. The decorations are left over from a wedding that took place..umm...awhile ago I think. I think it is customary to leave them up a certain amount of time for good luck.
This is the oldest son of the foster family, along with his wife. They are VERY attached to Axel, and had a very difficult time saying goodbye to him. She helped Axel get into his new clothes.
This is Axel and his foster father. They share a close bond! Although the father looks imposing in this picture, he is a very gentle, caring man. He didn't hesitate to get on the floor and play with Axel, or bring the 16 month old new foster baby (who also has DS and is a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e!) to the floor for me to see him and Axel to play with him. Axel is going to miss his foster father!
Axel in his "going home" clothes. Oh, how he loved his new clothes. The ones he was drowning in. His father pointed out that they're both wearing plaid now, which Axel thought was pretty cool! Everyone tried hard to keep the mood light and happy for Axel so he would not have any anxiety about going with me.
I did not get pictures of the final goodbyes. Those are memories to keep in my mind and heart, and for his family to keep as well. Besides, it's hard to take pictures when you're sobbing as you take someone's child away forever.
Thank you for the pictures. Ya, Goodbyes are always sad, but for Axel is a new start and new life and most of all - family. Let God always give you strengh and patients.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you and so sad for them. That is so telling that it was so difficult for them. How nice to know he was so loved and so well cared for!
ReplyDeleteLeah, one correction--you are NOT "taking someone's child away forever", you are making Axel your forever child. Foster care is not a permanent relationship and if these folks had wanted to actually adopt him they already would have. Axel is not their child, he is your & Dean's child. Axel has just had the blessing of living with kind people the past 2 1/2 years while God searched and prepared his new parents to find him. Please get that "taking him away" thinking out of your head. Yes, this will be a transition for Axel but you KNOW that he has now found a forever home and forever parents that will be with him throughout the rest of his life. Bless you and bless him.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are beautiful....now I really can't wait to see you all again!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this bittersweet moment with us. Axel is so blessed to be getting you as his forever family and for having a family that has loved him the past couple of years!
ReplyDeleteKathie, thank you for saying that. I think I needed to hear that too. We adopted our son 6 months ago and I still feel like I took someones child away from him and him away from them. They are still in our lives because I choose to have them there. They knew his mama and dada were out there and if no one came forward soon they would have adopted him but still it was a very hard thing to see and do.
ReplyDeleteLeah, your son is so handsome. Love the outfit! Be blessed