ADOPTION QUEST: Permanent Custody hearing

Lisa: The final hearing was scheduled today and we got the good news that PERMANENT CUSTODY WAS GRANTED!!!  The Biologicals no longer have parental privileges.  What a huge step in the process for us!

This morning wasn't calm and sunshine though.  Oh no!  In fact it was a bit stressful for me because a big decision needed to be made on how to proceed within a half hour period but Aaron was not available. I had to make the decision with the help of Cookie and Peggi.  Luckily Aaron ultimately agreed and the outcome was positive.

The Biologicals showed up at court. Shocking, even though I shouldn't be. I knew they would come to fight even if they had no grounds to stand on. With our permission, Children Services added a clause to the journal entry that we would be willing to do "open adoption" if the Biologicals would agree to PC today. All that means is that we "agree to consider" having some kind of contact with the Biologicals, at our discretion, after adoption. This can come in the form of sharing pictures (which we already do -- we share pictures with Alia's grandmother who we know is sharing with the Biologicals) or accepting gifts, etc. We, the adoptive parents, decide what and when. And we can withdraw at any time. The clause is not binding or enforceable. So really, I think it was meant to appeal to the Biologicals and prevent them from dragging it on in the courts. I guess it worked because it took Children Services 20 minutes to get the decision from the bench!

Cedar Point... part 1

Today is Cedar Point day! Mommy bought my siblings tickets to join me at the amusement park. We picked up my siblings from their church this morning and packed into Mommy's car.

 

Here we go! (I still face the back so you can't see me)

 

Don't we make a cute family? Ariah, Sean, Anthony, Daddy, Mommy and me, haha! The weather today is beautiful! The sun is out and there is a typical breeze running through the park. Not a typical November day though.

 

First ride... the Midway Carousel

 

I finally left my hoodie alone and on my head. I usually don't like anything on my head.

 

Mom riding the Blue Streak with Anthony

Did you know about the Parent Swap Program? It's a great discovery for parents who want to go on rides but can't because one is watching the kids while the other is standing in line. This program will allow one parent to stand in line and when the ride is over they can tell the operator that the other parent is coming. The second parent doesn't have to stand in line. They get on the next car! Sweet!

 

Uncle Kyle joined us today.  He took me into the suds with Ariah and Sean.

 

Planning our next move over to Kiddie Kingdom. My siblings also did the Haunted House and hay mazes.

 

Cheese!

 

I rode the Space Age with my big brother Anthony and had fun! 

 

Daddy took me and my sister Ariah on the 4x4's

 

 

I rode the Kiddy Kingdom Carousel.

 

Sean on the helicopter 

My siblings also rode the  Ocean Motion and the Police Cars and Rock, Spin & Turn.

 

Time for lunch! It's back to the car for some chicken and rice, and oranges.

Cedar Point... part 2

 

We are ready to go again, I think.  I want out of my stroller!

 

Mommy and Daddy attempted to separate so the boys could ride the bigger rides and my sister and I could stay in Kiddie Kingdom. A couple of the rides, Mommy couldn't go with both of us because it was one adult per child. Boo! So we walked around and found rides Ariah could go on while Mommy and I watched on the side.

 

We are back together again. Ariah kept hanging on to Daddy, swinging and climbing upside down while Daddy held me. He is a strong man.  On to the Iron Dragon for my brothers to ride.

 

There was a petting zoo that Ariah, Sean and I visited while Anthony went on the Millennium Force. Mommy used the Parent Swap to ride after.  It took her and Anthony 1 minute to get on the next train.

 

It's time for my nap.  Apparently my sister fell asleep too.

 

My brothers had a good time driving the antique cars.

 

After our naps, our brothers rode the Cedar Creek Mine Ride. Now we are heading over to Camp Snoopy!

Cedar Point... part 3

 

We all had a quick bite to eat -- corn dogs and chili cheese french fries... yum! Then we went in different directions again. Anthony went with Uncle Kyle to ride the Gemini, Magnum and Matterhorn while Daddy and Mommy took Sean, Ariah and I to Camp Snoopy. Sean and Ariah went into the Snoopy Bounce while I went on the...

 

The Peanuts Indy 500!  It was awesome! It whipped Mommy and I around the corners really fast.

I didn't get to ride on any other ride tonight.  But I got to play with my brother Anthony's basketball.  Sean and Ariah rode the Woodstock Express, Wilderness Run, the Red Baron and Charlie Brown's Wind-Up.

What a fun day!  All of us kids fell asleep on the way home.  Let's do this again next year!

My stash for the night!

 

Mommy let me try a lollipop

 

Here I am trying to put the Halloween headbands on