Adoption Agreement Changed

After much thinking and counsel from other adoptive parents, we have decided to make a significant change to the adoption agreement for Little Man. Mind you, I truly don't believe that the bmom will sign a willing relinqueshmnet and adoption agreement, but in the outside chance that she does, we want to be covered. And after this last year of battles, and mind games, we are clearly convinced that Little Man should not be exposed to bmom until he is at a legal age to decide himself on his involvement with her. I just simply don't trust her, and fear the side effects of even one visit per year with her will have on Little Man. So, we revised the agreement to take out visitation, but keep in letters and photos twice a year, sent through a third party. I just got the copy from our attorney today, so that means her attorney should receive it by Monday, and we'll see what kind of reaction from bmom comes out of it. Frankly, I'm tired of her games, and just ready to be done with all of this. I'm tired of what it's doing to Little Man. He had an extra "visit" with her this week, for an additional taping for the Circle of Security that is going on, and he was a mess that night. He woke up almost every hour crying, and only settled down when I went in and hugged and kissed and talked to him. He doesn't need this anymore. Thankfully, the tpr hearing is only two months away, and hopefully that time will fly by.

Term Date Finally Set!!!

We finally got a termination hearing date for Little Man's case - October 15. It's so nice to now have a date to look forward to. I really doubt that bmom will be willingly relinquishing before that date - she has fought everything tooth and nail, no matter how many therapists testify that she is not capable of parenting Little Man. So, when October 15 comes, he will finally be legally free and we will be able to start the adoption process. He will probably be close to three years old when the adoption is finally done, and he's been in foster care since he was 9 days old. It amazes me how long the state can drag out a case. I know for a fact this has taken a lot longer than necessary for at least two big reasons - the social worker failed to follow through with paperwork and court orders, and the bmom knowingly committed fraud against the court on several occassions.

But, good things come to those that wait, and we know that when this is all said and done, it will be a very good thing!