Found out today that parental rights have finally been terminated. Finally. In a week and a half, Rob and I will travel up north (4 1/2 hours from here) to meet up with social workers, therapists, teachers, foster parents, and whomever else will have us. The more we learn, the better equipped we will be.
Sometimes I get sick to my stomach just thinking about it and how life changing it will be for all of us. I'm typically not a fan of change. Rob and I joked on how last year, we hoped these adoption thoughts would just go away...how on Earth were we going to do this? Why would we do this? Why mess with what we have? Lots of questions, with no good answers. Instead of going away, the thought kept nagging us. Over the course of the year, we've done a lot to prepare. And more recently, we've read bio after bio, searching for what we think might be a good match and hoping that the other half of the equation is also looking for us.
If we're not scared stiff by the end of our visit, we'll continue on with the process, with the next step being to meet the kids. Could be as soon as 3 weeks. If we have 'chi' (as our case worker likes to call it), they'll come here for a few weekend visits. Then legally, we have to foster them for 90 days before adoption. We're nervous and praying that we can handle the challenges they will bring us. Who wouldn't be?
The kids had their final visit with mom. I am saddened for them having to say good bye to the only love/life they've known. They may be coming from a horrible situtation, but it's the only thing they knew. Can't imagine having that stripped away from them and what they're going through. We're hoping their foster parents are good people that have been able to give them positive experiences during their time together. With that said, we know that typically that's not how foster care is...another sad thing.
Please pray for us or send us good kharma! It's super stressful trying to end the school year with the constant thought if this is all going to work out, and what it will be like. Not to mention...renovating the house!
