Adoption Journey Journal IX

I spoke with the lawyer last night and she was able to talk to the judge
yesterday. Although our attorney found a former case like ours showing
favor on our side, the judge is still uncomfortable with us going forward
without at least serving the birth mom with papers. With that said, the
attorney advised me that no matter what happens, Raylen will need an
attorney of her own to represent her best interests. She advised that we
go ahead and hire an attorney that she knows and is very comfortable with.
This attorney will send paperwork to the birth mom's last known address
(likely a shelter) and wait for about a week. If no response, we can move
forward and the judge will be comfortable terminating her rights. Our
attorney will be out the rest of this week and doesn't want to start this
process until she returns so we look for the other attorney to send her
paperwork to the birth mom by Monday.

In addition to this, I talked to Raylen's aunt last night and she has
spoken with some old friends of the birth dad recently. She heard from
them that the birth mother is smoking crack pretty heavily and riding
around in the back of a truck day and night. I am conflicted by this. On
one hand, her continued lack of responsibility and disregard for her life
and sanity is "good" for us and Raylen. It proves that she is in no
position to mother Raylen. But, on the other hand, as Raylen's biological
mother and as a human being, I feel sorrow for her. I hate to see that she
is abusing life in that way and that she can't get out of it. As much as
we want smooth sailing with our adoption, we pray in time that she will be
delivered of this lifestyle.

I will continue to keep you posted as we hear updates. Thank you again for
all of your prayers!

Adoption Journey Journal VIII

Hi All,

Just a quick to ask for your specific prayers in the next couple of days.
I spoke with our attorney on Friday and since we have not heard back from
the birth mother, the attorney is going to go ahead and meet with the judge
either today or tomorrow to discuss our options. Our attorney feels good
about the judge granting us our request based on the mom signing her rights
over previously to the other couple. The attorney feels though that if the
judge does grant it now that if the birth mom ever tries to overturn it in
the court of appeals then she would win. We have thought and prayed and we
don't think that will happen because it will cost her a great deal of money
to do that. Please pray that the judge will grant our request so that the
adoption can be final soon. And please pray for Jason and I as we trudge
through this. The stress is enormous and we are struggling to maintain our
focus and not let the little things tear at us. We are ready for our
family to be settled! : )

Thank you for joining us with this. Your support is treasured more than
you know.