[Luvie]

Tomorrow is going to be a long day for my foster daughters and I. I have thought I knew what the out come of this was going to be, now Im kinda at a loss. From the sounds of things (Im not 100%) they are going to want to TPR. Especially on the youngest and oldest. Now middle ones dad has stepped forward and she had a visit with him. The plan is for them to go and stay with a relative in relative care and maybe perm.

Now my concern is: now that one dad has stepped forward will this delay them from going with relative and keep them under my care? I know we can not be certain but I need opinions. As much as I have come to love them, my belief is it is time for them to go on. I never thought I would say that but Im having a hard time with the middle one. Plus their hopes are all up on going to relatives, I can not imagine what it will be like if they do not go. Personally I have split feelings on the case, so the dad stepping forward may not be a bad thing. Im just crossing my fingers that they will get to go to the relatives home while they figure out what the next steps are going to be.

They also all have to be in court and there are suppose to be alot of people there. So we may be there all day. I can not imagine how this is going to feel for them.

[Withay]

My word. I just cannot understand why anyone would think that young children need to be present at court, especially if it could be a long day. I am so thankful that the judge in my area does not do this.

I don't know if the middle childs dad coming forward is going to make a difference. Have regular visits been set up? Has he been given a caseplan to work? These are questions that I believe the cw needs to go over with you.

Did the problem with the middle girl begin before or after the visit with her dad?

Good luck.

[Luvie]

I don't understand it either. Im going to be packing snacks, drinks and lunch for this "event". I just can not imagine a judge wanting to make a 3/4 year old sit there that long. I also think its to much for children to take in and it should be explained to them one on one, not in a court setting. The 14 year old may be ok but the littler ones I wouldn't make.

The middle one has actually had issues since she stepped foot in my door. I kinda knew what I was getting into from the start. I agreed to keep them longer than the emergency care when an aunt stepped forward and it seemed it wouldn't be a long stay. I knew I would be able to get through a month. But at this point im ready to scream, and have told the sw that it is my opinion that she needs to be split up from the other two. We are for keeping sibblings together so please don't get me wrong. I don't want to have to be the one to make that decision. So I keep my fingers crossed and hope and hope and hope that tomorrows out come is in their best intrest. Because if they stay with me I will have to split them up or send them to another foster home.

The visit with dad was actually a suprise that was sprung after a visit with mom yesterday. Needless to say we were all shocked. We did however have time to discuss her feelings (she dosn't know how to express them) and by the time she left everyone was feeling ok about it. And when she came back she was very lit up and happy. It is a very rare thing to see her so happy, so we celebrated and talked all night about how she felt and what happened. But I know this will be short lived and if tomorrows out come is not what everyone expects Im in for it. She just wants to go back to moms cause mom has no rules and according to her she hates rules and my 12 rules are way to many. ugh....anyway im just venting.

The sw said that phone visits will come first. But really wouldn't tell me much. Im sure they will still go with the plan, its just not a 100% plan and has never been. I just want to see everything work out for them.

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

How did it go?

Kim

[Withay]

How did everything go today Luvie?

[Luvie]

It was a very long day. We arrived at 10am and were the second before last to be seen, so we got out about 4pm. This was the most cases they had ever had in one day. There were tons of kids there. This is the first time my children have had to come with me. But from my experience now I can say I think it is a big no no to want them there like that.

By the time we were called the oldest two were very nervous and you could really tell. We were finally called...we all came up front (they had alot of people there for them) sit down. He asks where all the lawyers are, apparently they asked in the last hearing for them. He couldn't talk to either because there were no lawyers. Im getting frustrated because he is giving another court date and then finally he releases them to the aunt. I was starting to think he would not. I leaned over and whispered to the middle one that they were going and she lit up with a huge smile and then whispered it to B. From that moment it was all worth it.

I got to bring them home and help them pack. And my boyfriend and I said our good-byes. I took lots of pictures and have just been looking them over. They changed so much in just one month its amazing. Its just amazing what love and hugs can do for a child.

It looks like dad is going to fight for the middle child. But right now they are in a good place. A place that I hope they get to stay and Im sure they will keep me updated.

My home is so quiet again. I miss the screams, laughs, and slamming doors already.

They already called me with a placement this morning that I had to turn down. But im sure it won't be much longer till the house is filled again.

[Withay]

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear it is, at this time, working out for the girls.