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.   

Why do I want to cry?

   Our New Kid shall now be known as Little Old Man, Lil Man for short. 

    Today I had a parent conference with his teacher. I actually initiated it as I was guessing that she was going to suggest retaining him in Kindgergarten for a second year. 

     We spoke at length (over an hour) and I was right. She feels it would be best for him to repeat K next year. 

     I knew this was coming. I was prepared for it. I wanted it. I see the frustration level he's currently at.

     So why did I leave the parking lot feeling like I needed to cry? 

     My friend pointed out that I feel for him. I do. He's a smart kid! Unfortunately "the system" has taken it's toll on him. He's lost the progress that he had. 

    Now the difficulty is deciding what's best for the remainder of the year. Find a better suited program for him? Let him stay in this classroom and see how much he absorbs? Will he be "too smart" if we drop him to a K4 program? Will he get too frustrated if he stays where he is? It's too late in the school year for him to be pulled into the "intervention" program. Argh. This is so frustrating. I don't know the "right answer". 

He likes it!

I can always tell when Giggles likes his dinner. He licks his plate clean! 

New Kid on the Block

     Last week we added another kiddo to the crew. He's got sparkling eyes and an infectious grin. Tomorrow he "starts" Kindergarten for the 5th time this school year! 

      I haven't decided on his blog name yet. This child is a smart kid, but it is quite evident that there have been quite a few adults who have let him down, including previous foster families. Hopefully we are a good match for him. 

Prepare your surprised face!

Trial for Termination of Parental Rights has been continued/postponed!

We've had Giggles since August 2013. 

In April it was decided that the plan was to terminate parental rights. Because of a massive amount of cases on the court calendar trial was set for August 2014. We've now had a series of events to continue/postpone trial from August to October to November to Jan 2015. And I just received word that it has been continued again, date to be announced. 

We have discovered that in the foster world you can never expect a timeline. Things can move faster or slower, depending on things in the adult world. But, in reality, it won't change much for Giggles. He'll continue to live with the family he knows and follow his normal routine, not even realizing that his life is in limbo.