The Big Day

All the pieces were finally put in the puzzle in the right place.  On Tuesday 8/14, on the same day we learned that the day program was approved, the group home placement was approved, and she could start all of it immediately. Her first group home will be an interim placement for up to a month, but the long-term placement is also approved.

Chelsey and I (Beth) checked out of the hotel and got her ready to go to the Day Program.  They go swimming on Tuesdays, so we took her suit and all her stuff with us over to the Day Program where Chelsey had fun activities and completed her first job, which was a project shredding papers.

At 3, Russel and I came over and met the group home coordinator, who had us sign some forms and took us over to meet the caretakers at the house.  In all the packing and writing the 5 pages of notes about Chelsey's care needs, I forgot to bring the prescription medications, so Russel stopped back at the house to get those.  Entering the home we saw a large open room with lots of light. There were two caretakers and the nurse who were all very friendly and kind. Chelsey was given a tour of the house, and they spent two hours getting to know her. One caretaker was making mac & cheese and smoked sausage for dinner as we got ready to leave. 

Chelsey seemed to be in good hands. If the long-term group home has such a good vibe, that will go a long way to making us feel comfortable about the move. We felt very good about how it all went.  As we left we commented that we couldn't have imagined it going any better. It felt weird but good.

With Bo leaving tomorrow, we'll go from having two daughters at home to being empty-nesters this week. Bizarro.