Once again, we drove to the courthouse this morning to find out that there was no hearing. Apparently one of the attorneys was out for the day, and our attorney "forgot" to tell us. It's cool. We love taking time and pay off work, hiring sitters, waking at the crack of dawn, and driving the scenic 710 to Los Angeles a couples times a month. They are most likely going to reschedule for August 9th (Mark's birthday), and we have a trip to Seattle planned for that week. So we'll be biting our nails . . .
Jafta’s case is going to trial
We went to court this morning and there was a hearing, finally. His birthmom did not show up (an answered prayer) but she has a very aggressive attorney who contested the hearing. The result was that Jafta's case was set for a trial on July 20th. This will determine whether or not there is reunification. We are still a long ways from an adoption plan and have many hearings to go through before we get there. Frustrating and nervewracking. . . .
The Poop Hits the Fan
I got a call from our attorney this morning. She basically told me that she and the county’s attorney are worried that there is a chance that Jafta could be returned to his birthmom. She wanted to shoot straight with me and wants us to be prepared for this possibility. The next court date is June 26th, and it is likely that the birthmom’s attorney will call for a contested trial which will drag this out for a very long time and could end in reunification.Right after my conversation with her, I . . .
same story, different day
Well.Yet again, the Department of Children and Family Services failed to file the necessary report for today's hearing, so we spent the morningg sitting in a crowded lobby to find out nothing would happen. We've been rescheduled to late June. Birthmom did not come, but this buys her another chance to show up. The judge noted that we were there, and Jafta's attorney said he would file for a new social worker.On the bright side, I got to see a guy in the parking lot get a gun out of his trunk and . . .
Hi from Haiti
Hey friends and family,Mark and I are alive and well in Haiti. I'm on a satellite-and-generator run computer in the missionary's house, safe and secure behind a barb wire gate, an armed guard, and two dogs as big as horses. It's a different world over here.We arrived early this morning, with suitcases packed full of supplies for the orphanage. We spent the day hanging out with the kids. It is an amazing ministry they are doing here. The kids are beautiful and so well cared for. We are struggling . . .
Family Portraits
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My Journey to Parenting
I met my husband Mark during freshman orientation at bible college. We started dating my sophomore year, and we got married right before I graduated. We wanted to wait for a few years before starting our family. We went to grad school, traveled Europe, and tried to get in some quality time together. We kept pushing back trying to have a baby, waiting until we felt like it was the perfect time. Little did we know it would be years after that before we finally became parents.We started trying . . .
Mommy likes her new camera
Here are some new pictures of the kids. It's hard to believe how big they are getting! Jafta is talking up a storm, and we can actually understand about 50% of it. India thinks he is the funniest thing around. They are both too much fun. . . .
Adoptions plans come to a screeching halt
We are really in need of prayers for Jafta. = As you know, we are in the process of adopting him from the fostercare system and it has been a long, dramatic process so far. A year ago, his birthparent’s rights were terminated because they were deemed unfit due to some serious issues, and they appealed that court decision. It was in the appeal court for the past year and we found out yesterday that they won the appeal on a technicality.In a nutshell, the Dept. of Child & Family Services in LA . . .
Fabulous, Fabulous Lives 2006
The Howerton Family's Fabulous, Fabulous Lives 2006Ah, Christmas. As I write this letter, Mark and I are sitting in front of a fire in our matching flannel pajamas, sipping hot cider mulled from spices in our garden[1]. The kids are asleep for the night, tuckered out from singing carols by the piano after a large home-cooked meal,[2] and Mark and I are doing our evening affirmations.But let’s start from the beginning. This time last year, we were adjusting to being new parents. In February, we . . .
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