Big News

I have been waiting for a while to share some information with you all. I wanted to make sure I was allowed to share. So here it goes...

On May 1, we had a court date scheduled. It was supposed to be a pre-trial. This basically means they were going to review the information at hand and set a final trial date for the case. I went to the court house that day. I knew not much was going to happen, but I wanted to be there to show my support for Little One. I was oddly nervous. In the back of my mind, I kept wondering if someone was finally going to show up that day or if a relative was going to pop up. I knew if that happened, it would be a game changer. When I finally saw the GAL, she said she had some news. Of course, this made my heart beat even faster. She then informed me that she was changing the goal of today's pre-trial. She wanted to make it a final trial and terminate the rights of the parents. I was floored!!!!! This was not even on my radar as a possibility for that day.  I knew it was probably coming soon, but not this soon! She then talked to the CPS case worker and filled him in. He made some calls to his supervisor. Our CASA volunteer and supervisor showed up. They got caught up on what the GAL wanted to do. They all agreed that it was a good idea. They didn't see any need to drag this out further. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was frozen in shock. I wanted to dance, shout, scream, cry, fall on the floor, hug someone, make a million phone calls all at once. The reason they could move so quickly with this case is because the bio parents have not been active or cooperative at all. Little One hasn't seen her bio mom since she was at the hospital. There is no relationship here.

They all went before the judge and expressed their desire. The judge reviewed every single time the family had been served. The story of why Little One was in foster care was restated. The judge was quite careful to make sure all the i's were dotted and the t's were crossed. When she was satisfied that all was in order, she asked if the foster family was interested in adopting Little One. They told her that I was very interested. She then declared that the rights of parents were terminated.

So many mixed emotions filled me at that time. Joy for me. Sadness for the bio family. They are missing out on one of the biggest blessings ever. Little One has been nothing but a joy to raise. And they have lost her. But their loss is my reward!

After we left the court room, we went back into the hallway. The GAL, CASA, CPS, and my agency case manager were all congratulating me. It was the oddest feeling. They all began talking as if the adoption was a done deal. Many hugs were given. I shed a few tears. I really was trying to hold it together until I got into my car. But even though they were all talking like the adoption was final, I knew we still had a ways to go. Things could happen. Something could come up and change everything. In the back of my mind, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I wanted to be confident too, but I wasn't completely. I was still rejoicing, but I was hesitant.

You see, now we are in the midst of a mandatory waiting period of 90 days. It is another place of limbo. Little One is still considered a foster child. I am still a foster parent. Adoption is still months away. We have to prepare for the adoption, though. It is hard to do in the midst of this waiting. I guess I should explain what this waiting period is for. After the termination order is signed, they give the bio parents 30 days to contest it. They also give 60 days for bio grandparents, aunts and uncles to come forward. We have already passed the 30 days for the bio parents to contest. It is now a wait and see if any of the family members previously mentioned appear.

I wanted to wait until the first 30 days had passed by before sharing this with the world. So yes, it looks like I should be able to adopt Little One later on this year!!!!  However, I am hedging this with the knowledge that it isn't a done deal until the judge says she is mine. Someone could pop up.

God did some pretty cool things the day of the termination. I might have to do a separate blog on that. And I will share more of the adoption process as it unfolds. :)