"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him." 1 Samuel 1:27
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Sunday, May 26, 2013

Still No Termination Ruling!

Well, it's Memorial Day weekend and still no termination ruling for bio dad.  It's been about a month.  The caseworker is wondering the outcome as well so the case can move forward, and said she may contact the judge personally instead of waiting for the answer to come down through the paperwork trail.  On another interesting note, the bio mom's lawyer called me a few days ago wanting to know if I would agree to a post adoption contact agreement.  He hadn't even spoken with bio mom at all about it, but I know she wants visitation, so I told him NO to visitation (bio mom has no bond with baby-we brought her home directly from the hospital at birth, and bio mom has had very little visitation -by her own choice.  She is also a drug addict and a convicted criminal.)  I did, however, tell him we would consider letters and possibly pictures.  This becomes a court ordered agreement, enforceable by the courts. 
So, today I will focus on being thankful for the many veterans in my family (my husband, stepdad, brother-in-law uncle,), and remember the many vets in my family and this nation who have passed on (grandfather, husband's grandfather, and many more), who gave their time and sometimes lives for my freedoms in this country.  I will count all our blessings, and give my worry up to the Lord.
May you be blessed,
The Queen Mama

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Bio Dad's Termination Hearing No Ruling

Like I said before, nothing surprises me this second time around in a foster adoption case.  Bio Dad's termination hearing was held last week.  Bio Mom's hearing for her signing consent to adoption was supposed to be held the same day, but the judge decided to hold it off to a later date, because Bio Mom didn't show up. 
So, first things first...Bio Dad's mother a.k.a. Grandma showed up at the courthouse.  She came right up to me in the hallway and introduced herself.  I was very warm, nice, and gracious.  She told me she had filed a motion for grandparent visitation and was petitioning the court for custody.  I asked her if she realized we had had Sweet Pea since birth straight from the hospital.  Yes.  I asked her if she would like more pictures of her.  She said yes, started crying, and walked away.  Now, I do know that I would feel the same way about my grandchild.  That I would want her, but this Grandma has criminal and substance abuse problems of her own, not to mention enabling her almost 30 year old criminal substance abuser son.  (giving him a full crack-pipe for his 16th birthday, for instance.) 
During the hearing, with Bio Dad in his orange jumpsuit and handcuffed and shackled, with an armed sheriff standing directly behind him, and another standing at the side entrance, his lawyer whips out about 5 certificates for different programs Bio Dad has completed while incarcerated.  Sweet Pea's legal team was consistent with pointing out he had only ever seen her twice in her first 2 months of life, and has made no effort whatsoever to have any contact whether it be visitation, telephone, letters, cards, etc.  Bio Dad took the stand and said he felt that his daughter should be with him because he is her natural father, or with her natural grandmother.  He requested a visit with her that day, and judge said no.  She said she is very busy, wants to review the case, and will give us her decision in about 2 weeks.  TWO WEEKS!!!  This system is so hurry up and wait.  How everyone involved suffers for 2 weeks wondering the outcome.  Sweet Pea's lawyers say it is pretty cut and dried.  However, I won't rest easy til I get the final decision.
On a lighter note, one of the caseworkers dropped off Sweet Pea's Life Book the other day, and it is so sweet and special, and our adoption profile is complete.  The adoption caseworker said we are just waiting on a date, and everything's a go, so I feel pretty confident that they feel pretty confident. 
Please pray for this sweet baby girl that God entrusts her care to us, and for her bio parents that they may know God's love, and get their lives together so they may move forward and live productive, happy lives.
Blessings,
The Queen Mama