Custody/guardianship request granted! My mother and father-in-law are officially the guardians of my niece and nephew after almost 2 hours in the courtroom. It was scary for a minute there as the judge explained that according to the legislation that neglect or abuse alone were not enough for him to grant guardianship. For a minute there my heart sunk. Especially after hearing testimony of instances or situations that I was previously unaware of. A car ride scary enough for my nephew to tell the appointed children’s attorney about it as well as an admission on their mother’s part that in addition to abusing alcohol for the past year and a half there’s been cocaine abuse as well. But in the end it was the fact that she had left on numerous occasions without giving legal authority for the care of her children in her absence. No power of attorney, nothing in writing at all saying that the grandparents were responsible for their well-being/healthcare etc. The most recent and most obvious example being that she left for Georgia for 24 days without taking care of that little detail. Best question of the afternoon was by the judge after reading her letter to the kids stating that she’d call. He asked if she called and she said every day. And the judge pointed out that according to my MIL that the kids had called her and left messages from monday thru wednesday of that week with no response. He said ‘did you get their messages?’ to which she said ‘yes’ and he asked ‘then why didn’t you return their calls’. Basically her answer was that she didn’t want to face her parents.
Anyway, the hearing went as good as we could’ve possibly expected. Just spoke with my in-laws and the kids seem to be handling it well so far. I can’t imagine what thoughts must be rushing through their little heads but I think the stability will make such a huge difference in their lives over the months to come.
Thanks so much to all those who kept them in your prayers today and over the past weeks. Looking forward to the first night ‘good’ sleep in a long time. :)
sahwn, so happy to hear that the kids will be safe and cared for and still a part of your life, what a praise!
this will no doubt be difficult for them for a while, but know this is for the best. big hugs to them and you girl! sleep well…
Hmmmm strange… I just posted to your blog and it went poof… anyhow! SHAWN! So happy for you and your family! I was going to inquire about how that went for you yesterday and am sooo glad to see how it went! I hope you slept very well and look forward to seeing lots of pages scrapping those babies!
So wonderful Shawn! i am so happy for you and your family. :)
Shawn, that is so wonderful. God is good and is looking out for these children. I’ll keep praying that they will get through this adjustment and the hurts will be healed that their mother has created. I’m so happy to hear the great news!
Great news Shawn! I’m so glad things went well. Enjoy that good night’s sleep, you deserve it!! :)
What wonderful news Shawn! I know that the hard part is just beginning but what a relief!
What great news! I’ve been thinking about you and all that you have on your shoulders… so glad to hear that things have turned out this way.
O.K., so I left this comment on the wrong message…doh! Here’s your brain dead friend trying again.
Oh Shawn…I couldn’t be any happier for you and your family! Please pass out a round of huge hugs for me. And yes, poor babies WILL miss their Mom. I worked in Family Court for a number of years and you can’t believe the abuse children can suffer and yet still adore the abuser…but dear heart, the extended family those children have had the good fortune to be born into will more than make up for any sense of loss they may feel. So glad your prayers were answered
good news Shawn! I hope this will be the start of a better life for them!
Shawn: I’m so happy to hear that things turned out for the best at the hearing. I know that this is by no means over for your family, but at least the children are safe and being well cared for now. I just pray that your sister-in-law gets help and can straighten her life out for herself AND for those two sweet children that shouldn’t have had to go through all of this!
Oh, thank God! THANK GOD! I am so thrilled to hear this update!!
love, me <>
Wonderful news!
Also nice is that I found your blog. Hope you don’t mind!
Wow… Shawn! They (and your fam) have been on my mind every day since I read about thier situation in your blog… Thank God that he heard the prayers of everyone! I know they’ll miss their mom but you all are so great that I know they’ll be happy and grow up well… Thanks so much for posting this! I LOVE good news! :)