Days Three and Four

Wow! These last two days have been so overwhelming I just don't even know where to start. We had the goodbye party at Donavan's school. The kids were so kind and loving to him. We also had a huge cake decorated with orange icing. It was a very bittersweet moment. The kids all wrote and shared letters and drawings. They all hugged at the end of the day. 7 year-olds are amazing. That evening we went to dinner at Donavan's former foster parents' home. We were served an Indonesian dish that contained rice, shrimp, vegetables, pickles, fried bananas, coconut, peanuts, and scrambled eggs. Needless to say it was interesting. What was amazing was during dessert, Donavan declared that he was done because "he had had too much sugar that day." What kid cuts himself off from sugar? We also have been having loads of fun in the hotel swimming pool.
Saturday was a very emotional day for all three of us. Donavan had to go through his belongings and decide what would stay and go. He has TONS of stuff. There was no way that we could fit it all in the car or his room. He has held on to everything for the past 4 years; clothes, papers, toys, everything. We had to help him give some things up. It took some hard work--on all of our parts. I learned a lot about being a parent in those three or four hours. We also had a huge goodbye party for all of his workers; case-worker, attorney, CASA worker, foster families, friends, and more. We then had dinner at Donavan's respite care family's house. There have been many goodbyes in the last couple of days. Our final goodbye will be tomorrow. We will be having dinner with Donavan's foster parents, Claudia and Tracey. They have been so loving and supportive through this week--and I will truly miss them. This is the house where Donavan's bio-brother lives as well. I worry that this will be the hardest goodbye. Monday will be the first day that we will have Donavan all to ourselves. We can't wait!!!

I have learned a few things about being a mother these few days. #1 Mothers are really pack animals. I have carried many stuffed animals, bags, books, and nameless other items as child goes running to play. #2 Giant purses are a necessity to carry above items. #3 Getting ready to leave takes 10 times as long as you would think it should. #4 It is possible to hear the same song 25 times and still want more. #5 It is possible to laugh deeper, love richer, and worry more than you ever thought possible. Even through some of the heartache of this week, we wouldn't change a thing.
We love you!
Jaime, Tyler, and Donavan