52 weeks

Well, we were somewhat surprised again at court this morning for what was supposed to be the first day of the termination trial for Baby H's parents. I feel like it was a good surprise though. My biggest concern for Baby H was that we were going to have to put her on an airplane and send her to a distant family member who has never met her if parental rights were terminated. That will not be the case now. Termination has been taken off the table for Baby H's mother as well. She and Baby H's father will be put on a 52 week plan to determine whether or not they are fit to regain custody. It will be a very extensive plan and if they cannot complete it, it will be much easier for a jury to terminate her rights than it would be now. I am thrilled for so many reasons. Number one, my baby girl isn't going anywhere for at least a year. Number two, it gives Baby H's mother a lot more hope than she has had these past few months. Number three, if Baby H's father doesn't stick to the plan, but her mother does, they cannot live together. So, I'm hoping it gives her mother a reason to get away from this man for good.

I'm thanking God that I've got at least 6 more months with Miss A and Baby K and at least a year with Baby H. Who knows what all God will do in a year...

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1

Popular posts from this blog

Saying Goodbye to Judah

Image
On January 20, 2020 at 7:15am, I said goodbye to my youngest child, my “forever” baby, my Judah. Seth woke me up by gently shaking my shoulder. I startled awake as he tearfully said, “I think he’s about to go.” I couldn’t believe it. How did it happen so quickly, why didn’t he wake me up earlier?? Seth said that his color changed almost instantly and his breathing drastically slowed while he was holding him in the living room while I got a few hours of sleep. I took Judah from Seth and climbed back into bed and told him to wake up everyone quickly. Owen sat next to me with his hand on Judah’s chest as we cried and told him goodbye one last time. Everyone hugged and kissed him as we listened to Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus and he took his final breath. The sobbing was audible and painful. I kept most of his face covered for the next two hours because I wanted the kids to remember him with his rosy red lips and beautiful complexion. Our heaven-sent hospice nurse came and pronounced him de
Read more

38 Years Young

Image
My goal for my 38th year is to quiet the negative self talk and begin to embrace my gifts and my strengths instead of focusing on my weaknesses. With that thought, I decided to write myself a reminder using the same grace I would with a friend. Happy birthday Elizabeth! I know it is so hard to believe that you are 38 years old. Last year was tough, but in the midst of all the trials you saw so much beauty from ashes. You grew in your faith and your roots deepened as you saw God come through time after time with unfailing faithfulness. I think it is fair to admit that life is difficult right now, considering all of the needs of your 8 children. It would be difficult to manage a family that size without one of them being terminally ill and another with severe attachment issues. You really are doing a good job. I know that you see the faults more than the successes, but you are an inspiration. You encourage others to seek after God first and obey the scary things He asks them t
Read more

Judah is 2!!

Image
I've been trying to come up with adequate words to describe how I feel about Judah turning 2. I don't think it's possible, so I will share the thoughts that have been running through my head. Judah's birth mom was encouraged to abort him. He wasn't expected to make it through birth. He came to live with us at 6 weeks old after circumstances that no one could deny God's hand on. The first 9 months of his life were filled with anxiety, little sleep and lots of funeral planning. We almost lost him more times than I can count. When he was 9 months old, by the grace of God, a water pipe melted and prevented our house fire from spreading to his room. The room next to his was 400 degrees and full of smoke. He had no smoke inhalation or any issues afterwards at all. After that trial, I begged God for a break and to keep Judah healthy for awhile. For more than a year now, we have only had one close call, where I thought it might be the end. God is so good to have gi
Read more