Chapter 38: Pumpkin Picking and a Court Date

We have another court date tomorrow, Monday October 4th.  This is the last of the pre-trial court dates.  This is what has been described to me as "normal" court, meaning, "Nothing will happen, nothing will be decided, and nothing will be moving forward."  The judge just wants to see how things are progressing- what parties have performed court-appointed tasks such as visitation, drug testing, bonding evaluations, and counseling.

I have been told by the case worker that the aunt still isn't certified completely, which I'm not sure is true because we have broken some ties and created some "healthy boundaries" for our family.  I am anticipating things will be awkward waiting to go into court tomorrow if the family is there, so please pray that we are still able to maintain a Christ-like attitude and defend our decision (to keep Josiah on a reasonable schedule surrounded by familiar people) in a way that is God-honoring.

The next court date is November 8th, which that case will finally go into "trial", meaning that the state is moving to terminate parental rights for Josiah and his brother.  We are told after that, the family will have 3 chances to appeal the process that could stretch on another 5 months.  (Because apparently 2 years isn't long enough to establish that they are capable parents.)

We were given some encouragement from Josiah's law guardian on Friday when she assured us that the results from the bonding evaluation were weighted heavily in any decision that will be made.  In her words, "I don't see how the evaluation would show anything but him being bonded to you.  But who knows?  We never know what the judge will decide."

We thank you in anticipation for prayer on our behalf.  We know God is with us, and are eager to be used by Him, whatever His will may be for the future of our sweet boy.    

While we wait for His answer, we are filling our days with many precious family memories including pumpkin picking in Pop Pop's garden.

Josiah wanted to go shirtless like his cool cousins.  

Mi Mi and Josiah scoping out the Pumpkin Patch.  

Off to pick one...

Daddy and Josiah find just the right one.  

Pop Pop cuts the pumpkin loose! 

Molly finds her pumpkin... and Josiah.  

I think she is more concerned with getting her hands dirty.  

Playing drums.  

Decorating pumpkin cookies.  

And Josiah decorating his high chair WITH pumpkin cookies...

Happy Fall!