A quick update

Well, I've been a bit relaxed about keeping updated on the blog recently. 

    On December 10th we received word that the appeals court upheld the termination of rights! We get to move forward with plans for adoption!

    On December 28th we got Pumpkin as a temporary placement. Oh what a dolly! And more curls for this mama to play with! She was placed more permanently with siblings this past weekend.

    Last week, we went to the WIC office to have the kids' files updated and begin receiving services again. And then we learned that Giggles has been being claimed in another state and 9 months of his services have been given to someone else! This was not a matter of mistaken identity, but rather a matter of stolen identity. I have been working for a week to proof that he never left this residence. 

    We've recently been granted ongoing respite services for the Littles! Can I just say how excited I am? I feel a bit guilty too, but I've been told to just be grateful and accept it. 

    That's what's going on here on the home front. 

Living in Limbo land

     Well, we've finally got some "answers" about Giggles' case. 

     The judges who review the appeal will be doing so and taking it into consideration on December 2, 2015. The decision could be made in one hour, or they could deliberate for many months. 

     The appeals judges look over the case "with a fine tooth comb" and make sure that everything in the process leading up to the termination of parental rights was done according to the laws that are written. They can decide to reopen the case and given parents a chance to work the case plan again and some more or they can decide that the decision made by our local judge stands. 

2 year anniversary

   Two years ago today a caseworker brought us a baby with a face only a mother could love (or so I'm told!) and I fell in love. 

    Over the last couple of years, that little boy has grown and changed (and maybe given me some gray hair!) and has become a valuable part of our family. 

    We recently had court, which I was supposed to attend telephonically but had technical issues. Luckily his attorney was texting me and keeping me in the loop. We have been named as Potential Permanent Placement (pending the appeal) and another court date has been set for December. IF (and that's a big if) the appeal process is finished and he's free for adoption, we MIGHT be able to officially call him ours before the new year! 

This kid gives me gray hair!

     A couple Saturdays ago, I had a new, terrifying experience.

     We've been staying out-of-state at my late grandfather's home. It is a nice sized home with a large yard (about 2 acres). The house is set back from highway (about 75 yards) and the out buildings are even farther back. The property is being prepared for sale so there are lots of relatives coming and going and doors and baby gates being left open while furniture is moved. 

     This particular Saturday morning my parents had been by and the kids went running outside to be near them. When they left, the kids wanted to continue playing outside. We stayed outside for a bit and then my 2 year old daughter needed a drink. I checked the location of all the kids, especially Giggles (CurlyTop). He was happily sitting on a inoperable riding lawn mower behind the garage. 

     I went inside leaving instruction with my 8 year old to keep an eye on the boys. Once inside I realized a diaper change was also in order so I did that. Then, while at the sink, I saw MsBrains (my 8 year old) quickly pass the window looking a bit frantic, as though she was chasing the little ones. When I turned to go outside she burst into the house! 

     "Mom! Giggles is out on the highway and there is a man stopped there!" 

     I hurried outside to see a man, with his pickup truck stopped on the road, standing in the road, talking (yelling) into the phone that "the idiot mother is on her way but you better send an officer out because the baby is obviously in danger"

    When I reached down to get him, Giggles happily raced around the pickup truck, thinking this was quite a fun game. I finally got him and stood waiting for the man to get off the phone. Instead he retreated to his pickup and raced away. 

     I went inside and called dispatch myself. The deputy came out and spoke with me. He didn't seem extremely concerned. I reported it to my licensing agent and DCS worker. Then, for a week, I couldn't sleep for fear that my baby would be taken over something like this. 

    I've never had a kid get out to the road.  What would you do? 

HUH?!?!

   Well, we called in for our CFT (Child, Family, Team planning teleconference) this morning. We expected a routine call; "please tell us a positive update about the child, do you have any concerns?, etcetera" 

   That happened. And then the worker from Department of Child Safety dropped a bomb. 

"The father has filed an appeal of the decision to terminate his parental rights."

It was as though the wind was sucked from my lungs in that moment. 

Now, we wait. 

Again.

More.

Are the winds of change blowing?

     The judges decision was to terminate parental rights. Father now has 2 1/2 months to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, we wait.

     I spoke with the new (as in 6th so far) Child Safety caseworker today. She will be coming to the home to meet him and us on Tuesday. There is still a chance that a family member will be approved to adopt this little guy. The thought makes me heart-sick. Can you imagine moving a 2 year old from the only family he knows simply because of a blood connection?    

     We will also begin adoption paperwork now. Once adoption placement is filed, it would take a court order to remove him from our home. It was comforting to hear that. Then, a minute later in the conversation she said that she's currently got 3 adoption cases in appeals. Yikes!!!

     So, currently, we are specifically praying that he will be a part of our forever family, forever. And that Mama will be allowed to take him out of state for 2 months in order to help prepare some family real estate for sale. That's way too long for Daddy to work and be a single parent. 

     It's difficult to remember that this is the baby that we were asked 3 times to take before conceding. Our lives would be so so different without him. Possibly calmer, cleaner, and more predictable. But also less exciting and missing something. We wouldn't have his twinkling mischievous eyes, his arms around the neck hugs, or his full-throttle way of life. 

Updates

   Well, Little Man moved out of state, back to where his parents are. We're hoping that he will do well there. I got a text from his grandmother saying that he had settled in and is doing well in school. 

   We had trial for Giggles on Feb 20th. At that time a "ruling" was set for April 9th, as well as a Report and Review Hearing for April 15th. Despite the fact that this was a termination of parental rights trial (TPR), no decision was made. 

  The attorneys made it sound like the judge would make a decision on April 9, but that day came and went with no word. On April 15th I went to court expecting an answer, and left with nohing. Except that, by law, the judge had until close of business today, April 21, to make a decision. At 5:05pm I texted the baby's attorney and was told that parental rights were terminated. 

   Now, parents can appeal the decision, but it's a lot of work. So, we'll continue waiting for the next step.