IN OUR HOUSE

A Bit of Drama

We are still waiting on our adoption date for sweet little Hailie. 

Not much has changed since last month—except I decided to email our lawyer handling our adoption to make sure she received the last set of paperwork my husband and I signed. 

She emailed me back that the case was in appeal, and that one of the birth parents, she didn't know who, filed an appeal within the 30-day time period allowed after the termination of the parental rights hearing which was on Mar. 28, 2024!

This was the first I had heard about an appeal. After many emails (and big emotions) back and forth through our team, no one had answers. Our caseworker was just as surprised as we were. She cc'ed me in an email to the State Attorney. The State's Attorney responded this morning and said it was another case she referred to in appeal when talking to our lawyer. Our lawyer assumed it was ours.

Anyway, there was misinformation, and our case is not in appeal! I guess everyone just wants to keep me on my toes. If you are considering fostering, please know, my friend, that everything in foster care moves at a snail's pace.

To give you perspective, Chloe's adoption… both of her birth parents signed direct surrenders to us in July of 2019 when she was just 1. Our adoption date was Sept. 3, 2020. It was just over a year ago, but we had DIRECT SURRENDERS. There was literally nothing to hold us up… just the system, which still had our caseworker on the case doing home visits, a CASA worker doing their visits, and daycare being paid for by the state.

It is paid for even after adoption up until age 3, so Hailie is now 3, and it is still being paid for. After her adoption, it won't be. I understand, and yet I don't. Once permanency is decided, I wish they could expedite things quicker so all the workers can be relieved, and we can make all the decisions for the children.

I am curious if you are in another state and have gone through an adoption, how long the adoption process has taken you?

If you are already in foster care, I am sure you understand. I hear Illinois is very slow, and one of the slowest to provide permanency.

BOOKS I’M READING

The Tale of Three Trees

By Angela Elwell Hunt

A Tale of Three Trees is a heartwarming Christian folktale that beautifully illustrates how God’s plans often exceed our own expectations. Each tree in the story dreams of greatness, and though their paths unfold in unexpected ways, their dreams are fulfilled through God’s perfect design.

This book holds a special place in my heart—it was one of the inspirations behind my own children’s book, Baby Tree, which reflects our journey through foster care and adoption.

I often read A Tale of Three Trees to my 3- and 6-year-olds, and always cry where the last tree ended up. This tender and inspiring story will touch your heart, it’s a good reminder of how God’s gifts can transform our lives in ways we never imagined.

FEATURED BLOG POST

What I Love About Being An Older Mom

Motherhood is an ever-evolving journey, and being an older mom has brought so much unexpected joy into my life. In my latest blog post, I share how the perspective and patience that come with age have allowed me to slow down, savor the small moments, and parent with more grace.

From finding more profound connections with my children to embracing the unique challenges of parenting later in life, this season has been a gift I didn’t see coming. I talk about everything from balancing energy levels to cherishing milestones that might go unnoticed.

The wisdom I’ve gained over the years has shaped how I approach motherhood, offering a blend of flexibility and intention that I didn’t have when I was younger. Whether you’re a parent or just curious about the joys and lessons of motherhood at different stages of life, I’d love for you to read the full post and share your thoughts!

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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