I grew up in a family of six. Two parents, one older brother, and two older sisters. I was always the baby of the family. My brother is 11 years older than me and my sisters are 10 and 5 years older. My brother and oldest sister moved out when I was young, but I lived with my second oldest sister for a long time. I always liked being the baby when I was growing up. I never had to deal with younger siblings stealing my things or annoying me when I had friends over. It was great!
My sister got older and she also moved out and then it was just me and my parents. I felt kind of like and only child being in the house alone when my parent was out. I don't know how people do it. There was no one there to hang out with, cause trouble with, or pick on. High school was kind of lonely.
Soon high school was over and I started up at my community college. I took a class that to this day was one of the most challenging classes, but also one of the best classes I have taken while in school. We visited the Social Services office for my county. While we were there I learned about the real need for foster homes in my community. As I listened it made me think. We had an open bedroom in my house. I decided to talk to my parents as see if they would be open to the idea of taken in one of two foster children. I went home and told my parents about the need for good homes and they said that we could do it!
I decided to take the foster care classes with my parents since it was my idea. We learned a lot at the classes and to be honest I was a little nervous. Some kids had serious problems and I didn't think I would be able to relate to them or help them if they needed it. I had such a good home while growing up, but regardless I still wanted to do this with my parents.
A week later we got a phone call. I was the only one home. I gave them my mom's cell number and she called me back. I was expecting one or two kids. Nope. FIVE KIDS! FIVE! At first, I was like sure! And then I hung up the phone with my mom. Then it sunk in. FIVE KIDS! No way. I called her back in a panic. She told me to calm down. God had this and we were going to make it work.
I remember that day so well The cars pulled up and we watched them pile out of the cars. They were so excited to see us (this is not always the case with foster kids). When we got the kids in the house and we started getting them settled in I realized something. I was now the older sister. I was the one that would have to deal with kids hanging all over you, them bothering you when you had guests over, them taking your things.
Two and a half years later we still have them and are adopting them as soon as possible. We fell in love with those five kids. It can be hard being a big sister. They get under your skin and test your nerves, but at the end of the day, I am so happy they came to us, even if it is a little insane. No matter what though I will never forget the day we watched them climb out of those cars.
