This particular visit:
Late: No (surprise, surprise)
Helpful: Yes (again, surpirsed)
Left me fee ling drpressed: Most Definitely
So the latest is that Josiah's grandfather is still boiling mad. He wants to see Josiah (which I don't blame him) and now he told the caseworker that he's ready to fight for him (which we knew.) The question everyone is asking is where was he for the past 19 months?
The caseworker told us that the judge has ordered more "sibling time" for Josiah and David, which means basically we have no choice in the matter to share. Now we have to agree on a time when he can go to the grandfather's house, and I told the caseworker that basically we need her as a go-between because they're not "hearing" what we have to say. And because the grandfather has David and is licensed, there is no reason why he can't request overnight visits. And the argument that, "It throws his schedule off" apparently isn't a huge priority.
(Ok people- you deal with a screaming 19 month old who is throwing a hissy fit because he is so tired because he hasn't had a nap and tell me that sleep and keeping him on a "reasonable schedule" is not a priority.)
And here's the kicker.... So the case is going to go to trial on November 8th and the parents have 45 days to appeal.
"Then how long do they have after that?" I ask.
Answer: "Oh...it can take up to two years."
Me: "TWO YEARS?!?!?!? He can seriously be 4 years old and they would STILL consider taking him from us at THAT point."
Caseworker. "Yep. They will argue that they are family and it wasn't their fault that it took them so long to get certified."
Me: "What about the bonding evaluation? Isn't that supposed to mean something?"
Her: "They will still try to argue it."
I think I went on a 10 minute venting spree about the unfairness of it all for Josiah's sake, and how we're just trying to be a normal family and how we feel that his family has taken advantage of us.
She nodded and listened and seems to be on my side. Who knows at this point though? I imagine she is the same way when Josiah's grandfather is talking to her.
I am frustrated. Just when I think we're making headway and are sprinting towards the finish line...nope. We're running a marathon with no end in sight.
We'll just keep plugging along and enjoying every step till we get there.... where ever "there" may be.
5 comments:
Praying for you all the time, friend.
Megan...we are here for you thru this. You are not alone. Remember that sticks in a bundle are a lot harder to break than a single stick by itself. You will just keep loving that little boy and he is already yours...nobody ever knows how long we will have our children to love...
Thanks for sharing your heart. It's so nice to know how to pray for a friend. Love you.
With all the craziness that seems to be going on with Josiah's biological family the Lord has seen it fit to bless Josiah with loving people like you and Justin who care and have the time to set him up on a schedule! You are setting the foundation for Josiah to be excited about learning! He will especially be blessed to have parents who love the Lord! No matter what happens the love of your family will most definitely make a difference in his life!! some kids never even get that...although I find myself always praying that someday Josiah will be yours, I can understand someone who thinks that the only way to fix their family is to pick up the pieces and keep everyone together no matter what! It becomes a fight to win...and hard to understand that there are people out there who will love a child as their own whether they are "blood" relatives or not.
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