But Who?

As we sit in the reality of becoming parents in the somewhat near future we find ourselves building these kids into our days.  As we go about our days and our activities we often talk about how things will be different once our family doubles in size.  However, now that we've been approved and are basically just waiting for the right match we now worry about "our kids."

-As we eat our meals we think "Who is making sure our kids are eating healthy foods and not too much junk?" and "Who is trying to get them to eat their vegetables?"
-As we sit and talk with each other over dinner we think "Who is taking the time to talk and listen to our kids and ask them about their day?"
-As we pulled out our winter jackets and coats we think "Who is making sure our kids have comfy, warm, coats for the cold weather?"
-As we bought our Halloween candy at the store we think "Who is making sure our kids have nice costumes that they can be excited about?"
-As we sing with K-Love in the car we think "Who monitors what sorts of media our kids are listening to and watching?"
-As we review Jordan's school papers we think "Who is making sure our kids understand what they are learning?"
-As we do the laundry we think "Who is making sure our kids have clean clothing, clean sheets, and clean towels?"
-As we watch the neighborhood children ride their bikes we think "Who is teaching our kids to play outside and learn to ride their bikes?"
-As we sit in church and watch all the families together we think "Who is helping our kids develop their faith?"
-As we crawl into bed we think "Who is tucking our kids into bed and snuggling with them for a little while?"
-As we kiss each other good night and exchange our "I love you's" we think "Who is loving our kids...who is really , truly loving on our kids?"

We think these sorts of things every single day.  We just feel so helpless knowing that our kids are somewhere out there without parents, without unconditional love, without anything else they may need.  Yes, they once had a mom and a dad but once those rights were terminated they legally have no parents.  And yes, they have foster dad and a foster mom, but that is intended to be a temporary dad and mom.  That is where we fit in...that is who we intend to be - a dad and a mom to some kids who are out there breathing and living at this very minute.  They are already here in this world.   They wake up every day and go to bed every night without a mom and a dad...and we wake up and go to bed every day without them.  These are thoughts that could easily overwhelm us and depress us so we try our best to trust that God has placed a hedge of protection around our babies and is taking extra special care of them until we can scoop them up and bring them home.
Until that day comes, we'll keep praying that someone is making sure they eat their vegetables, have warm clothes and a comfy bed, and is loving on them.