“I would tell you to ‘have a good day‘, but given the news I just gave you, ‘have a day!‘ ”

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Moments earlier on the front sidewalk of our kids’ elementary school, and following another IEP meeting, our Adoption Social Worker shared with us that the Great Grandparents of our sibling set of 3 that we are adopting (A4, J6, T7) have retained an attorney in our county and are pursuing family court. Slap in the face. These people who expressed ZERO interest in the kids while they were here in town for a two week visit (I’m talking about 6 hours of visit time TOTAL during a full two week stay in town), who didn’t engage with the kids, who have one foot in the grave (I mean this as kindly as possible. This woman can barely walk. How the HELL is she going to raise 3 high energy kids?!?), who are barely getting by financially, who ignored and blew off every attempt to engage with them… who haven’t reached out to talk to the kids, not even one call or text or email since mid October… these people have retained legal counsel and are pursing family court.

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Peace. I feel peace about this. I know I probably shouldn’t. Those damn rose colored goggles. I know these kids are with us for a reason. I know these people don’t have a leg to stand on. I know God won’t give me more than I can handle. I know each attorney for our kiddos is advocating for our kids to be adopted by us. The Department too. It’s so clearly documented.

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“Okay, so how bad is this?” I asked. Social worker replied “these kids belong with you and Mauricio and we are prepared to fight tooth and nail.” … “It was important to me that I tell you in person and that you not hear it through the grapevine. But this is happening. It may be that they are wanting to take another try at getting custody of the kids or it may mean that they want a little control – to know where the kids end up – to have a say in all of this. It’s unclear what their intentions are and all of us in the Department are a little stunned given how well documented it is that they are simply not a good fit. This will likely delay your adoption if they get any footing in family court.”

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What the F@*$?!? 

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Today is J6’s Kindergarten graduation. It’s a great day. We have fought so hard for this day. Referrals, specialists, behavioral interventions, therapy, counseling, hard work, sweat and tears… we have earned this day to celebrate. He’s been so successful this year! He feels good about himself and is settled and HAPPY now. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this child, my children, so I’m going to use some skills and compartmentalize this “news”… box it up and set it aside for today. And probably tomorrow…. because today (and tomorrow) we celebrate. We’ll slay this another day.