Filing an Extension

What does this mean??? Well, a lot and not much all at the same time.

In Ohio when a child has been in care 12 out of 22 months children's services can choose to file for permanent custody. "Our" kids will be in care for 12 months on March 3rd.
The agency really has 3 choices at this point.

1 - decide the parents have done what they need to do and it is safe to return the kids to their care

2 - file for permanent custody and then search for an adoptive home for the kids (foster parents get priority)

3 - say the parents are showing enough effort to let them keep trying.

We are getting option #3. The kids parents really are trying in a lot of ways, but there are still things that need to change. So unless something drastic happens we will continue on as things are now. They will be filing for the extension next week. I don't know the length of the extension. Typically they are 6 months.

This weekend we are taking the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge. I am hoping they are more comfortable in the water now than when we went to the CoCo Key in November. If not there are tons of other things to do.

Oh, and baby boy is officially a toddler. He has been walking good distances for a few days now. And he is quite proud of his accomplishment. He will clap for himself. What a cutie he is!

Guess that is all for now.

We Need Prayer

I can't really share what is going on, but things with the kids case aren't going well. The in home visits look like they will be stopping as of today.
I know this is what is best, but my heart breaks for them (the kids and parents). They all want to be together and they are trying, but just don't know how to do better. It is sad.

For a little Avery info - she is doing well. We are trying to decide what to do for kindergarten next year. Ryan and I have opposing views, so coming to a compromise is going to be hard. She is bright, so the educational aspect isn't an issue. There are just circumstances where she really struggles and school would be one of those arenas. It's hard to decide, do we homeschool, send her to a private school, try public school, or delay her a year. Only time (and probably a bunch of arguements -- I mean discussions -- will tell.)

Happy New Year!

So only a week late, but I want to wish you all a wonderful year.

I think I'll just share some Avery milestones of 2008, since it has been awhile since I bragged on my favorite little redhead.

Where to begin...

She knows her phone number.
Learned to pedal a bike, swim without swimmies, and do a cartwheel (ok that was New Years day).
She writes her name and can spell some small words (cat, dog, home, girl, red, a, in, the)
She learned to pump her legs so she can swing without a push.
She can read the clock.
She is a pro on the computer.
Loves to clean and help around the house.
She went to the beach for the first time and buried herself in the sand.
She started gymnastics and LOVES it and goes without crying for mommy.

Ok, I could go on forever, but I won't torture or bore you to tears. I am just so proud of how grown up she has become this year. She is quite the independant thing now. And yesterday she asked me "Mom, why are you so difficult?" when I didn't allow her to eat chocolate for breakfast. She made up for it though when I was reading to her before bed. The book was about being thankful and the last line asks what you are thankful for. Avery's response was "cuz I can love you so much mom". Yep, that's my girl! And 100% what I am thankful for too. So this year no resolutions that I will undoubtedly break, just being thankful every day that I get to love my kid to pieces and have here in my life.