Happy Birthday Katie

Happy Birthday Katie! Today is your 9th birthday and I haven't seen you in almost 3 years. I wonder what you look like now and what you are doing. What is your favorite subject in school? Do you have a crush on any boys? Is your favorite color still pink? Do you remember who I am? I do not know, the answers to any of these.

I wish you all the happiness in the world on your birthday. I pray you are safe and well cared for. I pray you know Jesus Christ as your savior. I pray that one day we will be able to see each other again. I love you and miss you Katie! - Dawn & Mark <><

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!

Happy birthday Katie! You are 7 years old as of yesterday! Wow, I bet you are getting big. I hope you had a wonderful day on your birthday, and are safe, happy and well fed. Mark and I are praying for you and you mom every day! We love you sweetie! -Dawn

Visiting Old Friends

This afternoon my husband and I went to visit an old friend and see her new baby. Well, not new anymore, she is 7 months old now. She was such a cute baby, I am happy for her that her first daughter is so healthy. It was also an o.k. time of visiting. You see, my friend is Katie's aunt, the little girl my husband and I took care of for five months last year. you can see the previous post here entitled "Remembering Last Winter".
We talked some about Katie and how she might be doing in Alabama, which is always a sad topic. You see, we have no contact with her now and do not know for sure if her mother will take care of her properly or not. My friend told me that she will not talk to her sister anymore, because of how she treated us, coming to get Katie with no notice. This really troubles me and breaks my heart. I feel like I have helped break up a family by helping a little girl. How can this be?
My friend is still mad at her sister for what she did to us. I wish it was not this way. I decided awhile ago to forgive Katie's mom. God is helping my feelings follow. I wish I could explain to my friend how my husband and I have forgiven Katie's mom, and ask her and her family not to hold a grudge for us.
I guess I could say it here. If any of Katie's family reads this. Mark and I have forgiven Katie's mom. Please, do not continue to ostracize of her on our behalf. We don't want to break up your family. Also, it does not help Katie's safety to cut off all contact. Please do not hold a grudge because of us. I do not know what else to say here.

Remembering Last Winter

Today I was just remembering last winter in MN, the day after Valentine's day, we became legal guardians of Katie. I usually refer to her as our foster daughter, because it is easier for people to understand that, that understand legal guardianship, also what would you call her then, a "guardian daughter"? That just sounds silly.

Anyway, she came to live with us in February, 2007, while her mom was getting her life together. She was just five at the time, in kindergarten. I was scared at first to take her in, because I don't have any kids of my own, and was not that comfortable around kids. But I am so glad my husband and I went through that whole experience.

I found there is a big difference dealing with a kid in Sunday school, compared to one living with you. I didn't, for those couple of months have to worry what the "mom's rules" in her house were, because Katie was in our house and so on. I also figured out that I can be a mom, someday when that opportunity arises. It was so much fun having Katie around, teaching her things, loving her. Now that she is back with her mom, the only thing I can't stand is missing her and not knowing what is going on with her. Her mom cut off all contact the minute she came and picked her up. I just pray that God keeps her safe and that someday we will be able to see her and have contact with her again.

Thanks for reading my post, if you would like to comment click the word, "thought(s)" below this post. -Dawn

Added 01/27/08
I wish we could've adopted Katie, but it was not meant to be. I guess God has another plan. Now, since that experience, my husband and I are thinking of possibly trying to adopt a child.