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!
