A Tale of the Last Few Days and the Next 2 Weeks

The most time yet, Jennifer (who prefers Jenna), will be with me for two weeks over the holidays.  (There you go.  Now you all know her name.)  Her foster family dropped her off Saturday morning (with all her Christmas presents) and will pick her up on January 4th in the afternoon.
We have been shopping like crazy over the weekend when we weren't at church, and I think we are as ready for Christmas as we can be.  Next week...we'll see.
I am working from home (or the farm) at random this week.  So far that is Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon, Thursday afternoon, and sometime Friday.  Next week I will go into the office at least a couple days, but not for full days.  I want to spend as much time with Jen as I can and thankfully have plenty of ETO to do it.

Last week I was poking at the caseworker and finally heard from her Thursday that we're waiting for a report from Jenna's therapist.  Once the caseworker has it and has reviewed it, we schedule a time for the current foster-mom, the caseworker, and myself to meet with Jenna and her therapist at his office to tell her about everything.  That's right.  She still doesn't know.  (So if you are going to be around her over these next couple weeks, please be careful to not talk about adoption or living with me, etc.)  After the meeting and telling, there is paperwork to file with the state and then Jen will move to my house.  All told the process should take about two weeks once started.  Meanwhile, I am just the nice respite care lady with the crazy dog and "cool" church.

Thursday night was her "Winter Concert" at school.  Sarah and Tegan came and kept me company listening to kids play "Jingle Bells" badly.  It was so cute!  It was also so awkward as her biological father was there along with the step-family, foster-mom, and mentor (who seems very nice).  Nothing more awkward than having someone you know and who you know knows you realize you are the person taking in your kid.  Oy.  But it was nice she had so much support there.  She needs that.

Jenna is very excited about going to the farm.  She wanted to leave Sunday night.  I'll be lucky to be ready by Monday afternoon!  I'm glad she's looking forward to it.  I know she will be welcomed with open arms (and that makes me excited).  She is also excited about singing "Away in a Manger" with my family.  Who wouldn't be?  ;-)

I really need to keep working on getting ready to leave.  Clothes and et cetera don't pack themselves!  Maybe I'll even get to sleep a little at some point.  I can't wait to get to the farm and relax a little...or try.  :-)