Thank you for all the prayers that were lifted on our behalf these past few days. We feel humbled when we are told time and again, "We are praying for you!" What a blessing to be part of the family of God! These past few days have been beyond stressful and if it weren't for your prayers, I am not sure what my emotional state would look like by now. As it is, we are doing ok. I will try to explain a little bit about what has been going on. Forgive me if it doesn't make sense. I made so many phone calls and sent so many emails telling our story that I tend to leave gaps, thinking I already told people something when in reality, I had told someone else.
In June BCCYS had raised concerns about having us adopt Luna because we placed Braden out of our home. We had a very emotional meeting with them, think me sobbing and not able to talk cause I couldn't catch my breath, and felt that everything was taken care of. We asked Luna's CW about it from time to time and she assured us that she had't heard anything from her supervisor so all is well. On Thursday Sheryl from COBYS, the agency who is putting together our family profile for Luna's adoption was coming out for a visit. She was very insistent that Dean be here and we were a tad frustrated because she usually asks a few simple questions then we chat as she watches us interact with the other children. Dean is very busy at work right now and it just wasn't convenient but thankfully he did take off and was home when Sheryl came. She explained that BCCYS is concerned about Luna being with us because we "left" Braden at TAP and have had no physical contact in almost 5 months. They feel we are "getting rid of him." This was a previous complaint and we thought we had settled all that. Sheryl advised us to get up to date on our rights as foster parents. Beings Luna was with us for over a year we have more rights than if she would have only been here a few months. I asked if we should look into an attorney and she said that is up to us. Sheryl was very surprised that we had no idea BCCYS was so concerned. Sheryl offered to get a meeting set up with the BCCYS staff involved in Luna's case, she would also attend along with her supervisor. Then we could all talk this over together. I emailed the CW asking for an explanation but she didn't give me much of an answer. I also emailed Luna's GAL because we were told she wants Luna moved. When the GAL wants a child moved there isn't much you can do.
Friday Joseph had his first therapy session with Miss Megan. I am not sure what to think. I really liked her, she seemed to understand why Joseph struggles and had good advice. However I was not allowed to sit in on his session and when she brought him back to the waiting room I asked if he had a good time and what he did. As he was telling me, Miss Megan interrupted him and said, "Remember Joseph, this therapy is your special play time with me you may tell mom everything or nothing, whatever you choose." I am not sure if my mouth dropped open or not. :( You NEVER tell a child with attachment problems that they don't need to tell mom something. It seemed to go over Josephs head though and he did well the rest of the day. Maybe I was so disregulated he didn't feel the need to create a fuss in order for his environment to feel as chaotic as he did on the inside.
On Friday I called Angie who is our representative in this case and asked her what she thinks. She thinks we have a lot on our plate and perhaps we could care for our other children better if she was in a better home. That didn't make me feel very good! I called Donna, Carols supervisor and all she would say is she doesn't want to discuss it over the phone. I also placed a call to the GAL and asked her opinion. She said she had only heard BCCYS side of the story and no, she did not plan to move Luna at this point. She felt BCCYS has a logical concern and if we cannot come up with a rational answer to their concerns they will begin having Luna have visits with an adoptive family. I also sent emails to Miss Sharon, Kate Oliver and Miss Laura. Laura was able to give us the name of an attorney COBYS families use. We are hoping if we have legal aid, the county will back down. Miss Sharon thought perhaps we could Skype rather than having her attend the meeting in person. We are hoping Kate Oliver, his current therapist will be able to do likewise. We also made plans to go see Braden on Tuesday. County is concerned that he is being abused and we won't know it because we haven't seen him at all. I wish I would have thought to tell them that he see's a licensed therapist weekly and she would report any signs of abuse. Sheryl the lady from COBYS doesn't think the county has much of a case against us beings they have no say over where we place Braden. However they do have a say in where Luna lives and obviously feel we are not a good placement for her.
Somewhere in the midst of all the drama I had a birthday. Dean brought pizza n wings home for supper. I was way to stressed physically and emotionally to try to think of going anywhere, so that suited me just right! He also sent me these beautiful flowers
In June BCCYS had raised concerns about having us adopt Luna because we placed Braden out of our home. We had a very emotional meeting with them, think me sobbing and not able to talk cause I couldn't catch my breath, and felt that everything was taken care of. We asked Luna's CW about it from time to time and she assured us that she had't heard anything from her supervisor so all is well. On Thursday Sheryl from COBYS, the agency who is putting together our family profile for Luna's adoption was coming out for a visit. She was very insistent that Dean be here and we were a tad frustrated because she usually asks a few simple questions then we chat as she watches us interact with the other children. Dean is very busy at work right now and it just wasn't convenient but thankfully he did take off and was home when Sheryl came. She explained that BCCYS is concerned about Luna being with us because we "left" Braden at TAP and have had no physical contact in almost 5 months. They feel we are "getting rid of him." This was a previous complaint and we thought we had settled all that. Sheryl advised us to get up to date on our rights as foster parents. Beings Luna was with us for over a year we have more rights than if she would have only been here a few months. I asked if we should look into an attorney and she said that is up to us. Sheryl was very surprised that we had no idea BCCYS was so concerned. Sheryl offered to get a meeting set up with the BCCYS staff involved in Luna's case, she would also attend along with her supervisor. Then we could all talk this over together. I emailed the CW asking for an explanation but she didn't give me much of an answer. I also emailed Luna's GAL because we were told she wants Luna moved. When the GAL wants a child moved there isn't much you can do.
Friday Joseph had his first therapy session with Miss Megan. I am not sure what to think. I really liked her, she seemed to understand why Joseph struggles and had good advice. However I was not allowed to sit in on his session and when she brought him back to the waiting room I asked if he had a good time and what he did. As he was telling me, Miss Megan interrupted him and said, "Remember Joseph, this therapy is your special play time with me you may tell mom everything or nothing, whatever you choose." I am not sure if my mouth dropped open or not. :( You NEVER tell a child with attachment problems that they don't need to tell mom something. It seemed to go over Josephs head though and he did well the rest of the day. Maybe I was so disregulated he didn't feel the need to create a fuss in order for his environment to feel as chaotic as he did on the inside.
On Friday I called Angie who is our representative in this case and asked her what she thinks. She thinks we have a lot on our plate and perhaps we could care for our other children better if she was in a better home. That didn't make me feel very good! I called Donna, Carols supervisor and all she would say is she doesn't want to discuss it over the phone. I also placed a call to the GAL and asked her opinion. She said she had only heard BCCYS side of the story and no, she did not plan to move Luna at this point. She felt BCCYS has a logical concern and if we cannot come up with a rational answer to their concerns they will begin having Luna have visits with an adoptive family. I also sent emails to Miss Sharon, Kate Oliver and Miss Laura. Laura was able to give us the name of an attorney COBYS families use. We are hoping if we have legal aid, the county will back down. Miss Sharon thought perhaps we could Skype rather than having her attend the meeting in person. We are hoping Kate Oliver, his current therapist will be able to do likewise. We also made plans to go see Braden on Tuesday. County is concerned that he is being abused and we won't know it because we haven't seen him at all. I wish I would have thought to tell them that he see's a licensed therapist weekly and she would report any signs of abuse. Sheryl the lady from COBYS doesn't think the county has much of a case against us beings they have no say over where we place Braden. However they do have a say in where Luna lives and obviously feel we are not a good placement for her.
Somewhere in the midst of all the drama I had a birthday. Dean brought pizza n wings home for supper. I was way to stressed physically and emotionally to try to think of going anywhere, so that suited me just right! He also sent me these beautiful flowers
My friend Sharon and her son Moses, stopped by with a card and some more flowers. Moses even picked the one bouquet for me!
Another friend, Melissa stopped by with these whoopie pies and a huge hug. So thankful for people who care!
We also had a birthday party for Kiana and Joseph's Kindergarden teacher, Mrs. Risser. We celebrated by going to Akron park for the afternoon. She has one lively group of children!
Her birthday cake was a butterfly made out of cupcakes
Admiring the cake....
Mrs. Risser and her 11 little charges!
I am reading the book, Wrestling With An Angel. The author mentioned how people will often say God will not give you more than you can bear. His view is that God does give you more than you an bear, so much so that you are crushed and broken under the load but then God will lift you up and help you bear the burden so you will know it is only through him that you can go on. That is exactly how we have felt these past few days. God is carrying the load for us. Please continue to pray!
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