Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Welcome And Other Good News

Before I get on with my good news and after you get over your heart attack from the realization that, yes, I am still alive and remember how to work this keyboard thingie, I'd like to take a moment to welcome new follower Joey. Though his profile does not indicate so, I believe Joey is the mastermind behind a relatively new blog entitled Senior's Mess. Joey, if that is not correct, please let me know so I can edit accordingly. Otherwise, y'all feel free to check out Senior's Mess. I really enjoyed his intro post, and I look forward to seeing more of his writings. 

Now, for the good news. As many of you know, since it's about all I talk about here anymore, the M&M saga has been a real roller coaster ride. Well, we can finally see the end of the ride from here. We got a call from the caseworker yesterday, advising that it would not be necessary to bring M&M to her regularly scheduled visit with the bio parents. It seems that they recently decided to up and skip town for good and have relocated to another state out west. 

[Brief pause for the happy dance]

The Queen and I think they have actually been gone for closer to three weeks as there was a hearing at the end of last month the net result of which was that the court ordered them to complete the CPS services plan. Violating said order is one of the many grounds for termination of rights. After some last minute shenanigans by bio dad's attorney and a failed, last ditch effort by CPS to identify any potential family member viable enough to take M&M (did I mention that bio mom's mom was deemed non-viable due to health issues?), we think the bio parents finally saw the writing on the wall and decided they have nothing left holding them here (aside from bio dad's two kids from a prior relationship...has to make them feel good...but I digress).

We can't celebrate yet (and won't even plan a party until the ink is dry on the adoption papers), but it appears that it is no longer a question of "if" but is now one of "when" we will get to adopt her. Timing of said adoption remains up in the air. The bio parents could make everything easy for everyone by voluntarily relinquishing their rights which would allow us to proceed pretty much immediately. Thus far, they have not made anything easy. So, we are not holding our breathe for that outcome even though their doing so would be beneficial for them legally in the event of future children.

Door Number 2 would be to wait six months at which time the court would declare M&M abandoned, and we get to adopt her anyway.

So, to recap: no viable family members available to take custody of M&M, bio parents skipped town, hurry up and wait while doing the happy dance.

28 comments:

  1. Super Happy Dance!!!!!!

    Do you still have Mini-Me and the Banshee?

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  2. GunDiva, Mini Me and The Banshee are still with us. No return date has been set that we are aware of.

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  3. Congratulations. Happy Dance ensues and Prayers continue.

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  4. Good news let us know when and where to send the victory libations when the ink is dried on the adoption papers.

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    1. Odysseus, set aside a bottle of Maker's Mark 46 or any small batch bourbon or Irish whiskey. I'll let you know where to send it when it is time.

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    2. HH isn't into Maker's Mark but we'll find a suitable bottle, perhaps some Jameson's.

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    3. Odysseus, may I suggest Bushmill's 16 year old single malt? They have a 21 year old as well; but, honestly, I think that is overkill. I'll still drink it. And Jameson's. Nothing wrong with that either.

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  5. Congratulations!!! Keeping fingers crossed that the next 6 months go smoothly & quickly.

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    1. DFW, thanks. Hopefully it won't take six months.

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  6. Yes that would be me. Nice to hear good news in this crappy country we live in. Cant wait to hear the final outcome.

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  7. i. am. thrilled.

    this is the best news that i have heard in a long time. i will wait until the ink dries to send a tear-soaked congratulations email.

    much love to you and the Queen. always. your friend,
    kymber

    (oh crap - you still have the banshee?!?!?!? is she still a banshee?!?!?!? do you and the Queen wear protective earphone thingies? how is the banshee? how is mini-you?)

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    1. Kymber, thanks. Yes, Mini Me and the Banshee are both still here. The Banshee remains mostly true to her name. She just turned one, and she has taken her first steps. Which reminds me, I needed to post about that.

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  8. I got so excited when I read this I almost swallowed the stitch marker I have hanging out of my mouth. It's plastic, so I would've been fine and it would've totally been worth it!! Can't wait until you can post pics so I can make her obnoxiously cute hats!!

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    1. Candance, I can't wait to post pictures either. If you want to see photos now, send me your email address and I will get you an invite to the private Flickr site I set up.

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    2. YIPPEEEE!! It's candance@crazytxmommy.com. I can't wait!!

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    3. Candance, the invite finally went out today. First time I've been near my laptop in a while.

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  9. Wonderful, wonderful news!!!! Fingers crossed, prayers and all that !

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  10. Wonderful news Shepherd K!

    I came to check up on things and let you know you and the family were greatly missed this weekend. Strange how we've never met in person and you were still missed.

    Didn't stop us from having a great time and looking forward to the time when you can join us for the activities.

    Prayers that the bio parents do the right thing quickly and/or the Lord lets you peek at his Day-Timer.

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    1. Bob, sorry for the delay in responding. Was traveling. I missed being missed. Hopefully we will have a repeat at DBSIII. Thanks for the prayers. We accept them all.

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  11. That's wonderful! I really appreciate you sending me some mail with more info that you can't blog about. I've had you all in my prayers during this whole process.

    You two are the BEST parents. M and M is VERY blessed.

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    1. Brigid, thanks. The Queen and I are the ones who are truly blessed.

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  12. WOOT! I am so happy for you! I'm gonna go have a Dr Pepper in your honor.

    Thrilled beyond words. Really. I hope this goes smoothly enough for you, however long it takes. (I too would love for my kids' bios to see the light and do the right thing by relinquishing parental rights, but I'm not counting on it. Too much pride and ego in the way.)

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    1. Auntie J, DP is my favorite. When I found out they had a soda fountain with DP on tap at the office as one of our perks...oh yeah, I was a goner. We're hoping things go smoothly too. The ad litem and our case worker are both pushing for an earlier termination hearing.

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  13. Woohoo!! Doing the happy dance, too and praying for (a) time to pass quickly, (b) parents sign away their rights or (c) cps moves forward without delay!

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    1. Tens, thanks. When I talked to the ad Litem last week, she said she was going to try and have the hearing moved up and converted to a termination hearing to speed things up a bit. That would be nice.

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