I am excited and nervous and already not holding my breath that the court or the prosecutor or some other part of the system will have done their parts on time to actually get this trial done and over with. I have never been to a TPR trial, and the other court hearings I’ve been to have all been simple recaps of the case’s progress and simple orders, to increase visitation, or change the goal, or some other thing like that. I don’t expect that Jo Jo’s bio mom will show up, but Jo Jo’s bio sister’s dad is supposed to be there and may be asked to testify.
I want Jo Jo to be out of foster care so badly. I don’t mind the home visits or even the paperwork, and we’ve had no visits with bio family at all. I just want to get rid of the label for her. I want to just be able to say, this is my daughter. I want to be able to take her across state lines or out of the country on vacations. I want to take her to the doctor without making sure specific forms are filled out and faxed to an agency. And most of all, I just want to be able to let my guard down a little. I want the suspense to be over, so we can all relax and just say, “she’s ours”. I want to know that no one can (legally) take her from me.
Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask me how long until I can adopt her. Everyone is curious about the timeline of events. The truth is, I don’t know. If by some miracle we get TPR in one week, it should be less than six months to adoption, according to our foster care worker. She has lived with me for the required six months already, and I am licensed to adopt through the same agency so I don’t have to re-license or have anything transferred.
We all have our fingers crossed for smooth sailing over the next few months. I can’t wait to introduce my forever daughter’s face here in this space!
Mother of All Things 
Good luck, and blessings to you through this time. With both of my kids, I knew the estimated outcome (testified in one) but still sat at the edge of my seat in the conference rooms outside, waiting to hear the results. Its one of those special things foster parents will always be able to share, the tension, the suspense, and the thoughts of impending freedom from paperwork! I’ve been paperwork free since September of last year, and have to say, it still feels weird not having forms for the doc to fill out!
Oh gosh!!! I am praying and crossing everything that can be crossed. I hope this is it. I can’t wait to see her face!
Will you change her name at finalization?
I am keeping her first name (it’s very pretty), and changing the middle and last.
I hope TPR happens without complication, and adoption follows swiftly. I really hope JoJo has some legal stability very soon, the limbo is so unfair to all.
My heart started pounding the further I got into this post, until I was crying! I had to stop and compose myself before I could finish. I’m a nervous, emotional, excited wreck for you!! Hoping, praying, everything crossed, you name it! Hugs!!!!
I’m excited for you and your little girl. I hope this goes smoothly. If the bio mom doesn’t show up, I can’t imagine that it will be much more complicated than any of the other hearings, but I’m no expert. Good luck!
That is so so so exciting!! Crossing fingers and toes. It would be a delight to finally meet your sweet girl on here!