Today, I was able to take Arryn to the CPS office to meet her baby brother for the first time. To say she was excited about this visit would be a gross understatement. It’s almost all she’s talked about for the past few days.

She waited patiently for the case worker to come get us and take us to a visitation room. Then she left us with Baby Brother for the next hour. Arryn’s excitement only increased during this time. She couldn’t stop smiling and laughing. Baby Brother was equally as enamored.

Arryn introduced herself telling him she is his big sister and that her name is Arryn. She got to hold him several times and help give him his bottle. She gave him a little stuffed musical elephant she picked out for him and we read one of her favorite books.

Toward the end of the visit, the case worker brought in the foster parents. They were just told two days ago that we wanted to take him so we can keep him and Arryn together. They are reasonably sad and disappointed. Having gone thru this exact same disappointment several times ourselves, we understand and it breaks my heart to know how much this is weighing on them. But the ultimate goal is and should always be keeping siblings together. They deserve to live under the same roof and grow up together. If we can make that happen, that’s what we want and need to do.

Next week is Christmas week, so a visit won’t be possible, but the case worker has told me she will try to set somethin up for the week between Christmas and New Years. I expect we will be having regular visits until he is able to be placed in our home.

While I would love to share a photo of his cute little face, this is an open foster care case which prevents me from sharing. Instead, please enjoy this smiling little girl who is holding her baby brother for the very first time.