Jacob

So, Jacob and Bryce both had their birthday's this week. It has been fun to get to celebrate with them but it has been especially cool to have Jacob with us for all these holidays. I know that we have given out some details about Jacob's history but I am so proud of this little guy I wanted to share a bit of his history. I think it is the only way to really appreciate where he has come from.

Jake was the second son born to a woman that from what we know of her, was a good student in high school, in the National Honor Society, played volleyball and basketball and got good grades. After high school she started using drugs consistently and her life spiraled downward from there. She has been arrested several times and has become aggressive, aloof and unsociable. She lost custody of Jacob’s half brother after multiple calls about two boys roaming the neighborhood and after a final arrest she lost both boys. The older brother has been adopted by an aunt who is less than ten years older than himself.

Jacob was born and taken away from her while she was in the hospital. He was sent to his first foster home two days after he was born. A few months later he was placed with his father who later was arrested on drug-related charges and Jacob was passed on to his paternal grandparents. After a few more months, the grandparents were not able to take care of him and he was sent to live with his mother and brother. During this time, Jacob's brother (who is ten years older than him) was Jakes primary care giver. Jacob has told us then that he remembers eating cereal off the floor when he was hungry and that he never owned a tooth brush and that the thing he missed most from that house is his dog. A few years later after more than a few calls to health and welfare, Jacob was taken from his mother after she left him with a friend and didn't come back for several days. She showed up as the police and social workers were taking Jacob away and was immediately arrested for drug use and possession of drug paraphernalia. We have since found out that the social worker that picked up Jacob is a close family friend of ours who has been so excited to see Jacob placed in our home.

That night Jacob was taken to an emergency foster home where he spent three months. When it was time to find another home for him (these type of foster homes are meant to be very temporary), everyone was so sad to see him go. One of Jacob's pre-school teachers had been considering foster care and when she found out Jacob was leaving said that their family would be willing to take him in. This wonderful family worked so hard with Jacob, teaching him to dress himself, feed himself (was four and only ate with is hands), helped him through major oral surgery where every one of his baby teeth was either pulled, capped or had a cavity, and started getting him ready for Kindergarten. This family considered adopting Jacob but whenever they prayed about it, they got the impression that he was meant for another family. After that they started praying with him that his forever family would find him.

During all the time we were praying to find the right child to join our family, it hadn't occurred to me that that little boy could be praying for us too. Jacob is an amazing child that has come through his short and turbulent history with a heart full of kindness and love. He has a very natural understanding of right and wrong and is often a bit of a police man, telling his new little sister how to make right choices. He is doing wonderfully in school and has made good little friends in his Kindergarten class. He has adjusted remarkably to his new environment and is thriving here. We have had several comments from people who have known Jacob a while, that it seems that he has suddenly found confidence and independence now that he has a forever family.

As I look at Jacob and think of all the amazing pieces that have fallen together in the last year, I can't help but see God's hand in it. People say that we must be an amazing family, but that really isn't the case. It is so clear that he is meant to be a part of our family. There is no doubt about it. And I can't help but wonder what other amazing things this little boy is going to do in his life.

When we were saying prayers the other night, Jacob prayed that our family would always stay together. They seemed such simple words but with Jacobs background whey took on a whole new meaning for me and I cried through the rest of his prayer. Three months and counting till the adoption is final and then we get to be a real Forever Family.