1 - Get C's medication sorted out. After witnessing first-hand the difference in days he has had his medication and hasn't, I knew that it was critical that C not start school without it.
- First thing this morning I tried to contact his caseworker - she was on a call.
- Next I tried to contact the Foster Care Clinic -- they are closed today.
- Finally I called the MUSC on-call line. Minutes later, a wonderful doctor called me back, listened to my story and reviewed C's chart. Then he apologized and told me that in order to help, we'd have to be willing to come down to MUSC to pick up the prescription to get us through the week. No apology necessary! Check!
2 - Get up to Summerville for Charlie's and my dentist appointments - I know that we need to find a closer dentist, but we like ours and love our hygienist, so we traipse back up to S'ville every 6 months. I was just going to trust that somehow two 6 year olds would behave while I was in the chair.
- I grabbed a 5 minute shower before Jason left, got the boys dressed and gave them a 30 minute warning.
- Immediately, Lydia, C's caseworker called. She really wanted to see us today since he was placed over the weekend. I explained that I had no idea when we'd be home from MUSC, but hopefully by 4:00. She apologized that she had a 4:00 appointment already, but mentioned that she was in Dorchester this morning. No apology necessary! Lydia met us at the doctor's office for a quick overview and sat with C while my teeth were cleaned. Check! Check!
3 - Get lunch -- when one boy hates McDonalds and the other hates Chick-fil-a.
- I compromised with Burger King, planning to go through the drive through.
- 100 yards from the dentist office Charlie announced that he had to go to the bathroom.
- We skipped the drive through, went inside, used the restroom, the boys played while we waited for the food, everyone ate their favorite meal -- even the applesauce and apple juice (we have digestion issues to figure out how to address and naturally as possible) -- and we were back on the road, crowns in place and energy spent. Check!
4 - Get the prescription - at MUSC. Downtown. On a holiday. With road blocks.
- Settled the boys in with a Bible movie for the 26 mile ride -- as a reward for their excellent behavior at the dentist and Burger King.
- Miraculously navigated the looooonnnnnng detour to get to Rutledge.
- Eventually found level 2 of the parking garage after two separate elevator rides.
- Had the lady at the Info desk page our doctor-hero without having to walk over to the other building!
- Prevented the boys from tripping any doctors or patients while they played in the hospital corridor tailor-made for matchbox cars.
- Received the prescription from the doctor - Check!
5 - Get the prescription filled - at Harris Teeter without having called ahead, with two restless boys and a pharmacist on lunch break.
- Found the boys a bench.
- Realized I'd forgotten the insurance card in the car.
- Navigated our way back to the car when one boy would only stop on green tiles and the other only on white.
- Went back to the end of the line.
- Created a customer profile for C with help from the pharmacy tech who apologized for the paperwork and the half hour delay due to the pharmacists lunch. No apology necessary! Texted Jason to pick up the prescription on his way home from work and brought the boys home to rest - Check!
6 - Get C's counseling coordinated - that I found out about at the dentist office.
- Hopefully asked Lydia if they would allow us to pursue counseling at the Lowcountry Biblical Counseling Center rather than another source.
- Amazedly, heard her say that that would be fine!
- Called Melissa at LCBCC to explain the situation and hear that they could definitely help.
- Explained that I work at JICS and was hoping that if C does end up attending there, he could do the counseling at JICC on Mondays when they have counselors on-site. She said she didn't think it would be a problem and would send me a link to the paperwork.
- Completed the counseling paperwork online to the best of my ability while the boys "rested" (aka spent quality time in their rooms). Check!
6 - Get C a matching outfit to Charlie and his two friends for "twin" day tomorrow at school.
- Gave friends' moms heads up that we might not match after all last Friday.
- Tracked down size 6 carhart overall for under $30 on Saturday, but then C arrived clearly at least a size 7 or 8 and notified me that he hates overalls (thankfully they were in Summerville, so I wasn't going to get them until today).
- Received a text from a mom today apologizing for the change, but letting us know that another classmate is going to join the group who doesn't have overalls, so we're going with black sport pants and a red t-shirt. No apology necessary! Found Charlie's next size up sport pants and Fun Run shirt in the closet. Check!
Yes, I'm still overwhelmed. Yes, the boys have spent quite a bit of time bickering. Yes, Charlie got car sick in the parking garage. Yes, they both had to spend 45 minutes playing alone in their rooms when we got home to grant us all a bit of sanity.
But today has been a wonderful day! I have never in my life been aware of so many people graciously helping me out -- all the while thinking they were inconveniencing me!
I have had mixed feelings about posting our updates on Facebook-- it just seems to be broadcasting our lives a bit much -- but I knew we needed prayer to get through this.
And now I know without a doubt that friends and family have been interceding for us constantly. We are so grateful to anyone who may be reading this and has been or will be praying. I will most likely not continue posting links on Facebook, but I will keep the blog running for our sake and for anyone who is interested in a candid and emotional look at one foster care family.
Please keep praying! We still have dinner, bathtime, bedtime, getting everyone up and out of here by 7:25 tomorrow morning, shadowing at JICS...
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
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