The photo here is my bold Prisoner, who wandered all the way up to my bedroom on Tuesday while Ember was at day care. Doesn't he look comfy?
It was an interesting experience, although a difficult one to live through for those most closely involved. My DIL was a mess. She has bonded so deeply with this child!
They were sequestered from the trial because DS was to testify. They did get updates from the lawyer for the state, who made the motion to terminate. My DIL's mom sat in the gallery for the whole thing and took copious notes that she was not allowed to share until the trial was over, also due to that sequestration.
Now it's in the phase of waiting for the judge to issue the court order(s). Meanwhile, "the kids" (as I call my son and his wife) are not discussing any of what went on in court in front of FGC, to protect him from the emotional whiplash that comes from such things. After the judge issues court orders, they will begin to talk to him about the future and next steps.
Expectation is that they will continue to have him with them while things proceed but best case it will be a year before they can adopt him "for reals". They will have more decision-making authority during that year, since the plan will be for permanency. It is my hope that the orders will come, and the next year will be one of hopeful waiting and expectation, full of bonding and the continued building of trust! I am so proud of this couple, taking on a child with the challenges that come of childhood trauma, and doing a fine job of it. I will look to their guidance for when I can share clear photos showing his adorable face.
Other human news, I have an eye appointment next week to see about the laser procedure to take out the scarring that has formed around one lens since the last cataract surgery. My older sis has agreed to drive me for this appointment which I assume is just the assessment for suitability.
Sad human news: said older sister messaged me with a photo of the obituary notice of a dear friend from my childhood. This gal and I had been Brownie Scouts together, 65 years ago or so. Her mom and my mom had been leaders in our scout troops, or cookie chairwomen, depending on the year. They took a candy making class together. In that last decade before I retired my gal friend and I had worked on the same project, she as a business expert, me as a technical coder / team lead. In the process of reconnecting, she shared a recipe for peanut brittle that her mom and mine had learned in that class and I made it that year. It was a wonderful memory for the taste buds! Anyway, the memorial service isn't until January, so I have time to hash out the difference between the day/date it said in the notice (it says Friday January 3rd, but the 3rd is a Saturday). Cancer sucks.
But life is still good. Spark on!
Red is a purrfect complementary color for Poor Kitty! What a handsome guy!!
ReplyDeleteThe abundant love that is is obvious from DS and DDiL will help to overcome any obstacles that occur in the transition. In my educational experience, it's usually easier for the kiddos. Everyone must be over the moon with joy. 💖🤗
The predominant feeling on my part is relief, but also some anxiety as I don't know that bio dad is going away that easily. He plans to appeal, which rarely succeeds and takes about 9 months to work through the process, one of the reasons it takes a year "at best" to get to the finish line of adoption. There will be more classes and an adoption level home inspection... a different side of the system but a more joyful one.
DeleteA very handsome picture of Prisoner. Pets are such good companions.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a process when moving from foster to adoption. (I have two friends who have been down this road.) One of the things I have appreciated in our state is that help is available during all the growing up years to have access to counseling for the children and adoptive parents.
Hopefully Ember's belly issues were a one-off. Thankfully your doggy daycare is vigilant and communicates.
I'm sorry to hear of your friend's passing. It's one of the hard things about aging ... and there's no way to understand it until we arrive at it. I'm glad you'll be able to go to the services.
We moved so frequently with my dad's job promotions that I can count on one hand childhood friends that I stayed in touch with as an adult. All are gone but one now. And my old Army buddy, Carol, is still on this side of heaven, but her dementia continues to worsen. But still, I am grateful to have had them in my life.
I did put up my little three foot tree in the family room yesterday. No ornaments on it as of yet, but it is pre-lit, so lovely.
Happy Wednesday.
I also have a little tree, but I didn't put it up last year because of the puppy who was in full land shark phase at the time, and freaking out over any change I would make in the house. I might try getting it out and keeping it behind an x-pen barrier this year, but I'll make the change one day when she's in day care if I do.
DeleteI agree about moving and losing touch with childhood friends, and also many we made along the way as working adults if we changed jobs. I was contemplating how much the change from land lines and phone books has made in our ability to find even our closest neighbors if we aren't "online".
But gratitude for having each of them in our lives is there, isn't it? In touch or not. I ran into the neighbors that moved away in 2021 in the grocery store right before Thanksgiving and it was just a quick catch-up, but it was a catch-up. She had seen another neighbor who had been in a nursing home, new people had moved into the house next to their old one, etc.
Wishing you a good December and upcoming Christmas season!