Two babies tonight.

[Thrilled to have a friend join her at her favorite spot, watching the rain, and looking at people passing by.]

I just put two babies to bed.

Yup, tonight we had two babies.

We're doing respite care for this little boy in foster care.

It's been almost two years since we've had a child stay in our home.

We took a break from fostering when we found out I was pregnant, and just haven't felt ready to foster yet, except for respite.

Having my own baby, that I carried, bore, and am raising, is hitting me even harder when I think of those in foster care.

Especially this lil guy.

He's gotta be one of the easiest kids I've ever had the privilege of caring for. And as you can see, Lux was thrilled with her new friend that she followed around and did everything just like he did. 

But when I got him ready for bed tonight, I could see his bottom lip start puckering. I got him in pajamas, brushed his teeth, got his stuffed monkey and his fuzzy blanket, and I lay him down. 

His eyes filled with tears, and his lip was quivering, but he was fighting it.

He was struggling to be brave as he lay down in yet, another unfamiliar bed, that wasn't his own.

I looked at his big brown eyes and my heart felt heavy as his watery eyes stared at me. 

His voice was raspy as he whispered, "Night."

I couldn't just leave him. I asked him if he wanted a hug, and he nodded, and I reached into the pack n play and pulled him into an embrace. He buried his face in my neck, breathing heavily. 

After a few minutes of hearing longer deeper breaths, I lay him down. He was almost asleep and I ran my hand over his head. 

I kissed his chubby cheek and turned out the light.

His mommy is missing this.

My heart is oh, so heavy, for him and the others in homes with people that start out as strangers to them.

Strangers putting them to bed.

Strangers that they have to trust will take care of them.

Such a burden for little one to have to take on.

Prayers for this lil boy.

and for so many of those in foster care...