Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Adoption #2- Placement Meeting- UPDATED!
In about 3 hours we will have a CPS worker and two agency social workers in our home to discuss the fate of a 10-month old little girl.I didn't sleep well last night. I tossed and turned as I worried about all sorts of things with this upcoming meeting.
Will we be the family chosen to get her?
Will we be allowed to adopt her if we are chosen?
Will she settle in to our home and our family routine okay or will she be quite anxious with being separated from the only family she's known for the past 7 months?
Can we really handling caring for a 3-year old, a 10-month old, and a 3-month old and give each of them the love and attention that they need?
Can we believe what our agency is being told by CPS, that this little girl is developmentally on target, or are we being told what we want to hear?
What's the story with her parents? Why is CPS moving towards severance?
What kind of interaction will we be expected to have with the parents?
These thoughts and more are swirling through my head, making me nervous and a bit fearful about this upcoming meeting.
I pray that the Lord will give us the wisdom to ask the right questions and the courage to accept this little girl into our hearts and homes. I pray that he will continue to bless our family and help us to do our very best by all of the children that enter our home, for whatever amount of time they are with us.
UPDATED INFO
We're taking her!
The meeting this morning went well and CPS was pleased with our family. We learned quite a bit of information today. I can't share all of it with you but I will share some:
1) The "baby" is not 10 months old, she's 12 months. In fact, she turned a year old yesterday. I'm bummed that we missed her first birthday! I'm not sure why we were told she was 10 months old, obviously there was some disconnect in communication somewhere, but it doesn't matter.
2) We saw a picture of her and she's as cute as a button! She's fair with lots of dark hair and healthy looking. I think I'll call her "Boo" on my blog because she looks a bit like Boo from Monster's Inc.
3) She's said to be developmentally on target (crawling, cruising but not quite walking, babbling, etc.) but only time will tell if that's truly the case.
4) One of her parents is incarcerated in another state (not due to be released until late fall of this year, at earliest). Sorry, sharing details as to why is not allowed. The other parent was here illegally and was deported to another country last year. CPS has not been able to reach this parent since.
5) Boo has been in foster care since last summer and, given the circumstances of her parents, CPS is going to ask the judge to sever parental rights in her next court date this April. There is no known extended family qualified to take Boo. There has been attempts to have "acquaintances" take her in as a foster child in the state that her one parent is incarcerated in, but so far those attempts have failed for various reasons. CPS is eager to have Boo moved into a foster-to-adopt home so that when they go to court they can tell the judge that she's in with a family that will adopt her.
6) IF the judge agrees with a severance of parental rights plan, then a court date would be set to accomplish that. That court date would probably happen in May. We've been told that it's possible that the incarcerated parent will appeal severance and that would mean yet another court date probably in July. If, in the end, parental rights are severed, they would be severed for both parents at the same time. The parent that is out of the country would be considered to have abandoned Boo. This parent has never met Boo.
7) There's a chance that the judge will mandate that Boo remain in foster care until the incarcerated parent is released and has time to work a case plan, but CPS doesn't want that to happen because that means she will have been in foster care for about 2 years before anything is decided. CPS doesn't always get their way. We have to accept that things could go this way.
We're leaving on a family trip tomorrow afternoon so we won't actually meet the current foster family and start transitioning Boo into our home until the middle of next week. I'm okay with that. I need a bit time to get comfortable with the fact that our life is about to become very chaotic with taking care of 3 little ones!
Wish us luck!
Labels: adoption #2, Boo, expanding our family, family, foster children, foster-to-adopt, fostering
31 Comments:
I can only imagine the anxiety. These things have away of working out perfectly. Hang in there. Sending positive vibes!
Good luck with the interview!
I'm sure you'll do fine! Thinking of you...
Reading this as you go into the meeting and sending you good vibes.
Im praying for you!
I posted a comment but the internet ate it. I am praying for you!
That sounds very promising. Am looking forward to seeing how this works out.
Im so excited for you! Im praying for your family for an awesome adjustment. God is good!
I sincerely hope all goes well! God bless.....Cindi
ooh, how exciting! I'll be praying for you and this transition!!!
I'm so glad for you that the meeting went well! We'll be keeping you in prayer!
how exciting! and nerve wracking! And just a whole lot to think about! I hope you time away will help in coming to some peace as you jump in your family again
so happy for you! Praying for you and your family - ALL of you!
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers! Best Wishes!
Renee'
http://rmboys2.wordpress.com/
How thrilling! The circumstances do sound about as much of a guarantee that CPS could ever give a potential adoptive family. The situation(s) sound ideal for an immediate TPR to be granted - especially due to the length of incarceration - I'm guessing it was a quite serious offense. It is also great to learn about how CPS has been planning for this, and is working to have her in an adoptive home before court. This is so exciting! Congratulations on your newest addition!
How exciting. You will have my continued prayers that everything goes as smooth as it can.
Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! I am just so happy and thrilled for you guys. What an amazing journey God has brought you to! And how lucky these girls are to be in your home. I am constantly amazed at your grace under fire. =) Congrats again!
You can do it - and yes, it will be chaotic, but you'll manage and come to love it. I had 3 kids in 4 years - the last two just 14 months apart.
good luck!
I've been following your fostering story, but I don't know if I've ever commented. I love the nickname Boo - it's sounds so perfect! I pray that God will continue to pave the way for you and your family. What a wonderful ministry you have - not only to these children in your care, but to the case workers, and all who come in contact with you. May they see the light of Christ in you!
KEEP US POSTED!!
I'm catching up after just sort of halfway blogging for a few weeks--family and medical issues at our home.
I had a lot to read about the new baby1 What a blessing1 I'm sure you have a million questions, concerns, anzieties twirling around in your head. I'm sure that God is in control of the situation and He will help you with the answers to all of those. Those babies are blessed to be with you and your family.
So many prayers going up and the first is that the Lord give you and Oronzo His peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray that all moves very smoothly with you. Doors are opening very quickly.
God bless and enjoy your vacation! Hugs!
It's situations like this that comfort comes from the ultimate control held by God. I pray that all works out for this little one and for your family.
That's wonderful to hear! Sorry I haven't been around much.
Oh, How wonderful. I am praying for you..
Wow! Big exciting changes coming your way! Congratulations!
Have a great family vacation, and keep us all posted.
Such exciting news. I'm so happy for you. I can tell you from first-hand experience that adopting a one year old is wonderful. We got home with Sera five days before her first birthday.
I hope everything works out just the way you want!
Congratulations! How exciting for you and your whole family!
BTW: I call my youngest Boo too :)
your story is so amazing, I hope things continue to go well!
I am so happy for you. I know it comes with some anxiety, fear, and tentativeness, but it's also a blessed moment. I hope it all goes as planned. Can't wait till you get to update this again.
I am glad she is with you guys!!
I get so mad at the govt and CPS for even considering making case plans that might stretch out over TWO YEARS!
That might not sound like a long time to them, but it is her entire life they are talking about.
Prayers today for you guys, and this precious little one..
Post a Comment
<< Home