+ One

This is a picture of my sisters and I. We will soon be + One.
I am going to be a Mom and it is all happening so fast!

A quick time line:

Tuesday 2pm Talked to the clinical director (John) at my work who thought it would work for me to take my girl. He said he would talk to Department of Social Services and get back to me.
Wednesday 12:30 pm John calls me and lets me know I have been approved to take my girl.
Wednesday 1:30ish they tell my girl she is moving to shelter (a type of temporary foster that she has been in before)
Wednesday 4:00 pm the Shelter social worker calls and asks if I can meet at 5pm to tell my girl that I want to take her
Wednesday 5:00 pm My girl finds out that she will not be leaving the state for a group home, but will come to live with me as soon as I can move and get certified.
ALL DAY I am FREAKING OUT!

I cannot describe how high my emotions have been running. On a practical level there remains so much to be done (move, figure out about $$$ and insurance stuff, figure out about work, fill out reams of paperwork) and on the other end there is just the enormity of it all. When I told I wanted to take her, she had this weird look on her face and I thought, "oh no she doesn't want to," but when I asked her "do you want to live with me?" she said an emphatic "yes!" She was just totally shocked. I mean I've been thinking about this forever and I feel in shock, but she is still getting used to the idea, besides she has so many other issues to think about (changing schools, moving homes AGAIN, upcoming visits with her biological mom).

I have gotten so much support and love and prayer from my family and friends and people at work... it's amazing! I am especially thankful for my roommates who are willing to roll with the punches on this whole thing. Please pray that God works out the moving and the money... those are the most overwhelming things to me right now. After spending the last day or so feeling like a train ran me over it was so exciting to meet with the social worker who will be assigned to the case today. She is a real go-getter and is already helping me figure out some of those practical details. Well I am headed to meet with my small group from church. We had already decided to spend a night praying for each person and what an awesome providence that tonight they are praying for me. I have so many more thoughts... but I think that's enough for now.