Just a Little Bit Longer

 What a ROLLER COASTER. Since Joy was placed with us on Feb 21, 2025, her trial date has been set for 1/26/2026. That's become our "date to make it to". So many prayers have gone up to get us to this date. Before I go into the drama of January 26, 2026, we must back up. Last update was her mom in rehab, no more visits and a family member waiting on a home study. 

The Family Member

The CPS worker texted the family member her ETA, and the family member confirmed. Then the family member wasn't there. CPS reached out, "I'll be there in 20 minutes." 35 minutes later, no show. CPS finally said she had to go. The family member was sorry, she got her dates mixed up, and asked for a reschedule. The CPS worker reaches out to reschedule, all of this during Christmas Break, and NOTHING. The family member disappeared. Therefore the entire team has ruled this family member out and they are no longer allowed to try and come forward. Reread that and tell me that God doesn't exist. This person was the reason our team was so nervous, and there it is, God's hand plainly saying, "Trust Me."

Christmas Eve

I get a call. I think it is a follow up about the family member. Nope. There is a Fictive Kin that had Joy for 2 months previous to us getting her, and has asked to claim her. WHAT?! Where have you been?! CPS did a prelim questionnaire and the person passed that, so they had to submit for a contract company to do the home study. Merry Christmas to us, someone new to worry about. We prayed that the company would not get to the home study before court. 

1/12, Joy was diagnosed with RSV. Patrick and I swapped days taking off. She was on the upswing towards the end of the week, so Patrick decided to run 2 errands after dropping Leo at day care. I received a call from our caseworker: "Where are you?" ..."um, at work?" Apparently, the fictive kin had seen Joy and Patrick and heard that he called her "Joy" and not her legal name. She did not approach them, but probably took a picture. We have literally been witness protection up until this point. This simple interaction has made a few of our team members unsettled, but living in the same area, it's bound to happen. The secret is now out to the family though, she is with white people and they call her, "Joy".

Today, 1/24/2026, no home study has been completed. The entire team has concerns about the fictive kin. I have been told by her advocate and attorney not really to worry. 

Joy's Mom

1/7, I got a text that the visit was cancelled because Mom didn't show up. 4 hours later, at recess, my para shouts, "Oh my God, she's been arrested!" her mugshot had been posted on Facebook. I instantly knew who she was talking about. Joy's mom had been taken into custody just before the visit and placed on a federal hold. She had violated her parole. What does that mean for our case? really nothing. They still plan on terminating rights. 

Fast forward to 1/15. Our caseworker comes over and warns me that she expects court to be moved because even though Mom is in custody, they can't find her. You can't have a trial to terminate someone's rights if they aren't invited! WHAT? How do you lose an inmate?! Apparently, the systems don't chat around the water cooler. I braced myself for this reality. I get a text the next morning, trial is still on, 1/26/2026 9 AM. I let out a deep breath.

Let's just go ahead and move to the next Wednesday: I get a text, trial will be a "start and stop". Trial will start, they will listen to investigations only, then promptly stop so that the judge can attend a funeral. Shocked, I said, "So should I still take off? Or should I take off for day 2?" We decide just take off for day 2. I call Patrick, we cancel our sub plans. I get a call 2 hours later. Court is still going to go on, the whole thing just at 1 PM. Okay... so I put in for a half day sub and call Patrick. 

Later that night Joy's attorney called me. We go through the whole saga again and she says that it doesn't matter because if they can't find the Mom they will stop the trial. UGH. She tells me to not take off, Mom's lawyer probably wont have her stuff together and it will be paused. We cancel our subs.

The next morning, I get on my PACER account (federal court records finder) and find the Mom's new court records. I read about all of the drugs she has been on since 6 days after we took Joy in and the continued use. November an arrest warrant was put out and in January it was executed. But wait! Here is her new attorney's information! I then pass it along to our CPS worker. She called and said, "How did you get this? Is it legal?!" Yes!! I'm not a criminal! The documents then are shared to everyone, and Mom has been located! Yay! No more barriers! JUST KIDDING. 

I got a call around 3:30 that they are working on a continuance and we will not have trial. Then the Texas weather decided we want to try out winter on 1/26. In the end court completely cancelled. 

We do have a reschedule date of February 3. (We have not put in for a sub yet!) Continue to pray for us and our Joy! After rights are terminated she moves to the adoption phase as "placed", but we have a 90 day waiting period for family to come out of the woodworks and attempt to claim her. This has been great practice for us to live in the moment and cast our worries onto the Lord. I can go back and read about how He has been steadfast in taking care of us, so why should I even think of abandoning it!

Our God is good, all the time. Enjoy this AI picture of our Joy (and Mommy)