Sibling Visit

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The last time (S) met with any members of her family was last August. Over 8 months ago. At that time, the visit which included her Bio-parents caused her great distress and sent her backwards in development.

Tomorrow there will be the first sibling visit since that time. This was set up by the CW and I am sure it was something that was "ordered" by the court during the hearing a couple of weeks ago. We have talked with the therapist that (S) sees and she has been supportive of a visit, but I have to tell you, I am certainly worried about it.

It is not our intent to keep (S) away from her siblings either now or after adoption. They will always be a part of each other's life as all the adoptive parents are in agreement on that. I am just not sure that this is the right time. Then again, when would be the right time? I suppose the longer it gets put off, the worse it will be. My fear is that (S) will think this is a sign she is going back to her "other" family and that is something I am sure would cause her great distress. Something she certainly doesn't need at this point in her development.

I will let you know how it goes, but in the meantime, I will remain worried.

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On The Road Again

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The CW was over today for her monthly visit with (S). She says she is going to set up a visit with (S)s siblings for this Saturday. Of course she has been going to do that for the last 3 months. We will see if she actually does it this time. I think it probably will because...

We asked about the court hearing that occurred last week. It was just an update to the judge. The CW said the judge did ask why things weren't resolved yet, and she seemed unhappy that we were waiting on her colleagues to make a decision. After the CW told us that, she started asking questions about the adoption reference the home study, and the paperwork that she needs to fill out. She said she was going to get started on it. That tells me that she must be fairly confident that we will have things worked out soon. I have a feeling the judge asked about the sibling visits, and that is why she is gung ho about them. I am still at a wait and see posture on it though I am optimistic.

So maybe we are closer to an adoption, and maybe not. This is the way I see it.....

Life never quite goes the way you plan it. If it did, there would be an awful lot of cowboys, nurses, and policemen in the world, and not too many proctologists. After all, how many 7 year olds can even pronounce that?

So as we move through our life, things change and our plans change. As we go down each road, there are good things and bad things that we encounter. They all affect us in some way and cause us to take a different turn onto a different street. As long as we don't let the bad things turn into road blocks, there will always be good things ahead......And bad things....that is the way life is.


DW and I had been planning on retiring in a couple of years. Well, when (S)s parents were unable to make it through to reunification and the state sought the TPR, that was life changing for us and we started down a different road. We could have chosen to foster her until a forever family came along and still retire in a couple of years. Instead, we chose to become that forever family. A new road taken.

Unfortunately, it has been slow going. Apparently this road isn't paved and we got a flat tire somewhere along the way. Not a roadblock. I hope I am not reading too much into what the CW said and getting my hopes up too much, but I am feeling like our flat has been fixed and we are back on the road again.

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Last of Disney

Well the trip is over and I have to say it was quite a success. (S) had an absolutely wonderful time and can't wait to go back to Disney or to visit Nanny again. Here (S) is watching a show on the stage in front of Cinderella's Castle. This was an absolutely wonderful trip with plenty of experiences I will be writing about here in the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, still no word from the courts. I have to keep telling myself that patience is a virtue.

(S) Getting an autograph from Jiminy Crickett














She really liked the petting zoo too















How special is a hug from MICKEY!!!

or having dinner with other princesses in Cinderella's Castle? Here is (S) with Belle

Epcot

Today we went to Epcot. We had breakfast with Princesses (Snow White is pictured) and we also saw a bunch of other characters. Hello Kitty was just one of many (S) is having a GREAT Time!!

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I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN YOU

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OK, here we go with some pictures from Florida. More to follow, and certainly a lot to write, but for right now, just pictures of the most beautiful redhead in the world. (you'll have to trust me on that) On the floor with some barbie stuff that she got from some of Nanny's friends, and the rocking chair is in the airplane terminal waiting for our trip to start. And then there is dancing at the stage in the marketplace at Downtown Disney....much more to follow!! I think (S) is enjoying herself so far and I know we are.

Life is Good

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(S) cried again when I left today. At least it will only be a few days until I see her again. She and DW are coming to NH on WEdnesday and we leave for Florida on Thursday night. Hopefully all will go well with the flights and we will wake up Friday am at my parents house in West Palm Beach and ready to go to the pool.



A few days there and then off to Disney for 5 dayes before returning to Palm Beach. When we return we will be lucky as (B) will be there and we will be able toi visit with him as well. DW will be meeting with the CW tomorrow. Still nothing has happened with the case. I check the court web site every day to see if anything has been posted. Nothing yet. I am hoping we are close. I promised I wouldn't get too itchy until after we returned from Florida, but it is tough.


More excitement in the family though. (A) received a proposal this week and will be married in September. Her finace has two children from a previous marriage. Our family is growing like crazy. One year agao we have 3 children. By the winter we now expect to have 4 children and three grandchildren. How is that for growth?!

The funniest part is that (S) will be an aunt to two kids more than twice her age. She is going to be flower girl again too. She is becoming an expert at that.

I don't know if I will have much chance to get on here before Disney, but you can be sure we will have some pictures to post once we get there. All in all......Life is Good.....

Too Long

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I hope everyone is doing well.

It has been a long time since I have blogged. Things are really busy away form home and I found out since I was last here that my temporary time will be extended until the beginning of June. It will definitely end their though. I just can't be away any more after that. (S) misses me when I am gone and I certainly miss her.....oh, DW and I miss each other too.

It was toughest this last weekend when I was home and (S) started crying when I had to leave. This was the first time she had done that. I will be home again this weekend for Easter but then have to leave again on Sunday. The good news is we will only be apart for a few days and then we begin our trip to Florida.

In the meantime, our family continues to grow in leaps and bounds. My oldest daughter (A) is now engaged and planning a wedding for September. Her fiance has two children. So.........come September (hoping that (S) is officially adopted), we will have gone from 3 children and no grandchildren to 4 children and 3 grandchildren. The funniest part is (S) will be an aunt to two children older then her.

I can't wait to show you all some pictures from Disney. Obviously the pictures will be the typical you see on these blogs with them taken from the back, but we certainly hope we can show all of you really good pictures in the not too distant future.

We keep hoping to hear something, but alas, it drags on. CW and GAL and everyone else assures us it will all happen in good time, but we are ready already. We struggled with the question as to whether we would adopt for months, and then we made the decision we would, but it has been even more months waiting................................

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