Update our life as 5 (I include the ducks in that number)

As you can imagine...life has been a bit of fifty shades of Cra, since Bert Gert joined the fam.

I'll be honest, this hasn't been an easy transition, probably for all of us.

But at the same time, because of meeting her before, and having visits, I think it was as good a transition as anyone could ever ask for. 

I don't know about Chris, but I would say the transition was probably harder on me than on B.G.  We went from no kids, to a walking toddler....Yikes, how'd we do that?!?!?!?!?!

But, she is an amazing girl, and I couldn't be happier to be her Mommy.

I haven't updated in a while because, well...

It seems like there's been so much that has been going on, but also it seems like there's not a whole lot new to tell you all at once.

We've been continuing to get used to life with a 17 month old.  What that means for us as parents, and what that means for her as our daughter. 

I have to give MAJOR props to my super HOT HUSBAND!  He is a SUPER HOT DAD too, and he's doing an AMAZING job!  I couldn't have asked for a better partner in life, and I couldn't have asked for a better Dad to my children.  We are most definitely a team, and as Brandon reminds us often, we are unstoppable.


So, the most recent news...

At the beginning of June was supposed to be termination court.

Turns out it was scheduled for 1/2 a day, and not a full day...so they all went, but just to reschedule, and to schedule a mediation date.

Mediation means:  We all (with attorneys) sit at a big table and say, here's what we are willing to offer you, and in return you (bio parents) sign over your rights.

Or so we originally thought.

Turns out, they don't sign over their rights, they just sign consents that B.G. can be adopted.

SO...Chris and I decided not to offer anything at mediation.


Bio parents signed general consents anyway!!!!


You're totally thinking this is a major Woo Hoo, right?  

It sort-of is...

Because this doesn't mean they've terminated rights...they still have parental rights.

Which means, we still have to ask permission to cut her hair, or take her out of the state, and they still have visits with her...until rights are terminated.

Rights won't technically be terminated now until the finalization of the adoption.

Which won't be until September at the earliest.

However, CHINS (Child in need of services) court is scheduled for this coming Thursday, and because they signed consents at mediation, it is being petitioned that all services and visits be stopped.

We are working our way to finalization, but we still have a few roadblocks to get through.


So that's the update.  Please keep praying for the whole situation.  For B.G. and us with these (hopefully) last few visits, and that court on Thursday goes well. 

Thanks friends and family!