Whirl-Wind

Originally written 12/8/2022

There is no other way to explain today, other than Whirl-Wind- a column of air moving rapidly around and around in a cylindrical or funnel shape. The last full moon of 2022 sure did know how to turn our world upside-down. 

At roughly 7am this morning, my principal shared an email that we had a student who entered foster care and needed a temporary placement. Tim and I have been talking about it many times this year, for different reasons, and this this just felt like another thing pushing us to make the change and accept what we always knew would happen in the future (just happened 2+ years sooner than we expected. I sent a screen-shot of the email to Tim and he basically said yes, without any extra details or information. Gosh, I love this man with my whole heart and soul. If there was ever a question whether soul-mates exist...I believe we are the perfect example that they do. Anyway, once I got to school, I immediately went to our counselor and shared the news that we would take the student. At that time, I was not sure of who it was or anything...then we discussed who and she sent my information to the DCS caseworker. 

Our lives changed forever after those moments. 

We got calls, I got on meetings with DCS, CPS, Case-workers, Guardian etc. We got background information on this poor girl. Short story- possible sex trafficking, assault, product of rape, attempted suicide, and so much more trauma. However, I am choosing to see the beauty behind this soul who was forced to grow up too quick- she loves the color blue, she has a huge heart for her siblings (2 older brothers and a younger sister), she wants to help always, and she is just a 12 year old girl who has never been able to just be a kid. So our hope is that we have the ability to give her that and that the push back is not too much. 

Currently, there is a stay-away order with all family and she really has not been told the extent of it. So we will have that to unpack as we go. 

We thought that she would be coming to stay with us on Monday or this Weekend, but the DCS caseworker brought her today, so we had no time to get her room in order or get the rest of the house "safe" to the fullest extent. So I pray and a beg the universe to let her just rest tonight, let her push out the worries and fears, let her close her eyes and feel comfortable enough to sleep. Please do not let thought of leaving this home or this earth enter her brain tonight or any other night/day. 

Back to the timeline of events- by 9 I had talked to social worker, given all of our contact info and info for background checks, and been in a meeting about her care. At 11, I left everything at school ( I hadn't even unpacked my lunchbox yet) and had to drive home for our home check to see if we had a 'fit' home. We have a few things that need to be changed- locks on cabinets/fridge and medicines put away...but over-all, We sat at our table the next 3 hours and filled out paperwork and finished everything we needed to and before 2pm, this sweet girl was in our home. We immediately started letting her unpack and see what we needed to get from the store. We started tearing apart the workout room/office and transforming it into a bedroom for her. Took all of the things off the walls and put up things that she wanted. She kept the sports and put up some watercolors I had painted. We left to go get E at about 230 and to go shopping a little. 

Side note for boys- Gosh I am so proud of them. Rexton had much more warning as he was home with Tim and here when she arrived at the house. Tim got to talk to him and communicate with him about it all, poor E had to find out when we picked him up from school, SO CONFUSED. We explained that she is going to join our family for a bit and that she just needed a safe warm home with love in it to stay, so that's what we are doing. When we did our daily emotions tonight, I shed a few tears because usually we do " happy, sad, angry, frustrated, and super happy"  but they both asked to add "confused" to the list tonight and said they were confused about all of the things and the why. I am so blessed but also worried about them and I just hope that we didn't do anything to hurt them in the long run and that they see that we just have the Love to give, so why not give it to someone who needs it. 

Okay, back to timeline- We picked up Everett and then headed to target, We grabbed a Starbucks and then shopped. She picked out some new sheets, pillows, art supplies, nike tennis shoes, snacks, art supplies, and a little wall decoration (a LV basketball picture) Blue is her favorite color and she likes spicy chips. Overall, it was about 265 dollars that we spent today in hopes to have her feel more comfortable. 

We then went to eat at the local Mexican restaurant and she laughed and talked. Our neighbor who previously helped me to clean up the room by taking our weight set to his house came and ate with us. He also brough over some hangers because I forgot to buy those when we were out. We have had many reach out to see what we need help with an honestly, I can't answer, because I do not know. 

I sit here at midnight, waiting and hoping to hear her just go to sleep---but as I type that, how dumb am I...you can't hear someone go to sleep. ha. well I think that is the stress and anxiety talking now, so I will try my best to turn over and rest. Tomorrow is a new day with it's own set of challenges. We will get through this, she will be safe and loved (God/Gods/Mother Earth, PLEASE LET her feel safe and loved. Please don't tempt her with leaving or harming herself. She has so much to look forward to in this life and our hope is she is on a positive swing. 

With a hopeful and grateful heart,

Goodnight