That Mother Lode

I'm still waiting to be matched, so I'm working while I wait. My friend helped me assemble most of the bunk bed tonight. There's still more to be done, but we are proud of our work so far. Ikea is infamous for products with many parts and poor instructions. Thankfully, I found a YouTube video to help us get started. I'll test it out when it's finished to be sure that it is safe. I'm excited to complete the room and make it a beautiful space for kids.

Next week will mark 1 year since I lost a dear friend unexpectedly. Today, my favorite uncle died unexpectedly. Also, today, I saw Wakanda Forever,  which made space for the unexpected death of its star, Chadwick Boseman. We always seem to be surprised when people die, even though we know that every birth ends with death. Denying death doesn't stop it from happening. Knowing that we all will die eventually should not be scary. It just means that we have to make the most of the limited moments that we have on this earth. We must intentionally fill each of those moments with love. I am sad that I've lost people that I love, and I am glad that I experienced their love in my life. I hope that my light continues to shine even when I'm gone because I created a legacy of love. On another note, I am grateful for everyone who has supported my motherhood journey with a gift from my Amazon wish list. Each time I open my door for a new delivery, I feel the love of my village. Some boxe...

Today, my friend gave me this lovely mug.  It's the first acknowledgement of my new status.  I feel like I'm in the final days of pregnancy, and any day now, my child will make their entry into the world.  (This stage is also unlike pregnancy, because there are no obvious signs for the world to know that I'm expecting.)  In the meantime,  I am nesting.  I ordered a bunk bed that will be delivered this week, and I created an Amazon Wish List for other items that I need.  I'm looking forward to putting everything together to welcome my new addition(s).

You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today... It's official!  I'm licensed as a foster parent with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).  Today, I signed the paperwork and I will be eligible for placement after 24 hours.  It took a lot of work to get to this point, and it's just the beginning.  I'm grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey.  I'm grateful for the people who asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this.  I'm grateful for the advice and the questions, because I know that they all came from a place of love.  I celebrated this special moment in my life by having dinner with a group of girlfriends.  They each experienced childhood trauma and were not protected by the people who were supposed to take care of them.  In spite of the challenges that my friends faced as kids, they are phenomenal mothers today.  It is very likely that I will have a kid in my care who has ...