[Ashbre]

I received the following email today from my social worker:

I received the letter that you were not approved last week. I know you have talked to my supervisor, Lynetta, and I know you are disappointed. They would like to utilize you as a respite resource. It seems to me that they feel that you all have a lot going on now with your grandchildren and having 4 children in your home. It sounds like they would like you to do respite for a while and then, depending on what happens with the grandchildren, your case can be reviewed at that time. Kim {supervisor's supervisor} mentioned that it seems like you would benefit from counseling. {I don't know what this is coming from other than that i was upset about learning of the denial - who wouldn't be?} I explained to her that you did receive counseling when you were in foster care and lean on family and friends for support.

I want to commend you on what you are doing for your grandchildren. It is so much better for them to be with you than with strangers. How are things going? Did you ever get the results of the STD tests back? Is Brandy {my stepdaughter} making any positive changes in her life?

I think about you all and I sincerely hope you are doing well. I hope we will be able to work together in the future. Stay in touch!

I've spoken to my caseworker from when I was in foster care and involved with CPS and she has confirmed that I did have counseling back then and also told me how to get copies of the records. So yeah there!!!

I've also scheduled an evaluation session with a therapist for the 13th - hopefully he doesn't think I'm nutty - lol.

I've questioned my current worker (in a reply email) as to how the certification denial will/would affect our being able to adopt the kids we've been wanting for the past year but haven't heard anything back yet.

So we'll just take it in stages I guess. I happen to be going back home this weekend and will be stopping at the CPS office there to get the copies ordered and they will then mail them to me.