[Original Mike]

Sorry for no update yesterday, but it was a long, hectic day that didn't end until about 0230 this morning.

My nephew arrived right on schedule. he even brought a friend of his who looked like a walking tank! nephew said "Joey's kinda scary looking, so we wanted to send that <expletive deleted> group home guy a message about messin' with my uncle."

When we got there, the boys were sitting on the front porch with all of their stuff. As I got out of the car, R came bolting off the porch. "Hey, you're three minutes late!" he informed me. We got everything loaded and barely got it all into both vehicles. Some staff guy (not the director) came out and handed me an envelope with their birth certificates and medical cards and walked away. Never wished the boys "good luck" or even "good bye".

When we got back to the house, my nephew and Joey got the guys into a pick up basketball game in the driveway. R was going to join in, but decided his undersized, 13yo frame was no match against these guys, so he watched with me from the porch.

We unloaded all of their stuff into the living room. RC (as opposed to my R for clarification) and R went to the family room to play Playstation. i helped A get his stuff up to the room and put away. While we were orgaizing, A turned to me and said "I don't know how we're ever going to thank you enough for taking us in like this. You have no idea how this feels to have a family after being in that hellhole for so long." I told him that I didn't expect any thanks.

Later, Amy came by to check on the boys and get some initial paperwork done (they're new to our agency's case load). We talked to the boys separately. Amy asked the usual questions about injuries, pain, wanting to hurt somebody, etc.

When she asked "Have you ever wanted to hurt yourself?" RC looked down and said "yes". We asked him for more info and he told us that he hated the group home so much that he prayed every night not to wake up in the morning. When Amy asked him if he thought he needed to talk to somebody, his head shot up. "No, not anymore. My prayers were answered." Then he said something that left us both stunned because it was SO cheesy yet heartfelt. "He said "I have no idea what a guardian angel looks like, but I think mine is sitting right there." as he pointed to me.

After supper, the rest of the night passed quietly. The boys unpakced, played Playstation and XBox with R, and sat with me watching TV. After R went to bed, I honestly tried to log on to the Forum with my update, but A came into the room and we just talked. Soon RC joined us. Finally, at 0230 I said that I was going to bed.

We have a rule in my home that nobody sleeps past noon, so the house is still quiet this morning. Now you know why it took so long to update y'all.

[aspenhall]

WOW THATS AWESOME!
I can't wait to hear more!

[waited2long]

I'm glad they're home. I wish you many many more days like your first one with these boys.

[Barksum]

Stinky group home. I'm working on controlling my vocabulary or I'd use other descriptive words.

So glad that the move went well. I'm sure the boys are very relieved to be away from the SGH (stinky group home) and they have to be having calm tummies at bedtime for a change.

Looking forward to ongoing updates.

[Lylac]

YAY!! I though about ya'll yesterday, and figured that when you caught your breath, you'd update us. I can't imagine what it's like to feel like these kids do. I'm just thankful that they won't have to spend one more second in that bleep bleep place.

[alexap]

Great!! i'm so glad they're home. Thanks for writing your jouney. Can't wait to hear more.

There's an 11 y/o girl i saw on one of the photolisting sites. She is currently in a group home waiting for her forever family. I have been constantly going back to her picture and profile for months now. She is a little older than what i specifically put down on paper, but there's just something about her. I can see myself being her mother. Once my Home Study is approved and i am licensed(which is the point i am at now-waiting), I will inquire about her.

Your story inspires me. God bless you and your boys!

[kay]

Yay, Mike! I'm so happy to hear your good update!

[Kerbchek]

It was awesome to read your update. I'm glad things have worked out for you and the boys. Can't wait to read more updates.

[dpen6]

Originally Posted by Original Mike

Sorry for no update yesterday, but it was a long, hectic day that didn't end until about 0230 this morning.

My nephew arrived right on schedule. he even brought a friend of his who looked like a walking tank! nephew said "Joey's kinda scary looking, so we wanted to send that <expletive deleted> group home guy a message about messin' with my uncle."

When we got there, the boys were sitting on the front porch with all of their stuff. As I got out of the car, R came bolting off the porch. "Hey, you're three minutes late!" he informed me. We got everything loaded and barely got it all into both vehicles. Some staff guy (not the director) came out and handed me an envelope with their birth certificates and medical cards and walked away. Never wished the boys "good luck" or even "good bye".

When we got back to the house, my nephew and Joey got the guys into a pick up basketball game in the driveway. R was going to join in, but decided his undersized, 13yo frame was no match against these guys, so he watched with me from the porch.

We unloaded all of their stuff into the living room. RC (as opposed to my R for clarification) and R went to the family room to play Playstation. i helped A get his stuff up to the room and put away. While we were orgaizing, A turned to me and said "I don't know how we're ever going to thank you enough for taking us in like this. You have no idea how this feels to have a family after being in that hellhole for so long." I told him that I didn't expect any thanks.

Later, Amy came by to check on the boys and get some initial paperwork done (they're new to our agency's case load). We talked to the boys separately. Amy asked the usual questions about injuries, pain, wanting to hurt somebody, etc.

When she asked "Have you ever wanted to hurt yourself?" RC looked down and said "yes". We asked him for more info and he told us that he hated the group home so much that he prayed every night not to wake up in the morning. When Amy asked him if he thought he needed to talk to somebody, his head shot up. "No, not anymore. My prayers were answered." Then he said something that left us both stunned because it was SO cheesy yet heartfelt. "He said "I have no idea what a guardian angel looks like, but I think mine is sitting right there." as he pointed to me.

After supper, the rest of the night passed quietly. The boys unpakced, played Playstation and XBox with R, and sat with me watching TV. After R went to bed, I honestly tried to log on to the Forum with my update, but A came into the room and we just talked. Soon RC joined us. Finally, at 0230 I said that I was going to bed.

We have a rule in my home that nobody sleeps past noon, so the house is still quiet this morning. Now you know why it took so long to update y'all.

Mike,

I have been following your story now for years ,the ups the downs and my respect never waivered. Just read this thread and said WHA..whats he up to now??? WEnt back and reread all your recent postsandI'll tell ya....It does my cynical mind so much good to hear stories like this.... Only thisisno strory, itsreal life. My heart filled ...I am sure you are thrilled to have the boys but I have to say I think the boys are thrilled to have you also...and oh....I think the rest of us reading are too.

So, has anyone approached you forthe movie rights yet?

[kretzklan]

That is so great! I'm glad the SGH shut up and let them get on with life...although it doesn't sound like there were many warm fuzzies. I hope that life settled into your new normal and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief!

[txwannabemom]

Wow. Congrats! And WOW!

[po]

I am so glad for your update. I know that things will work out and you are their guardian angel. Best wishes.

[crick]

Glad they are settling in and I hope you now realize you are totally outnumbered?

[lucyjoy]

LOL-that's right, it's 3 against one now.

Glad things are getting settled and that is wasn't necessary to kill anyone in the process

[TxMom65]

I'm glad they are home now. I hope they soon feel comfortable enough to be ungrateful. (I mean that in the best way)