Were on the final stretch..

On Monday we are headed to Abilene for our final court date. After Monday there will be no more 5 pg progress reports, home studies, or visits with Christian Homes. While we love them it will be nice to be totally done with them..and paying them!!!

Our obligations with the birth mom and birth dad are one picture and letter/email twice a year at his birthday and at Christmas. We have not been able to put into words/letter how we feel about future visits with the birth family's. They are always so wonderful in person...I am not just being nice..they don't read this..they really are great in person, but we feel there has been a lot of visits and Christian homes feels the same. The case worker at our last visit just told me to tell them at this coming up visit on Monday that we had met out requirements and we would wait and see on future visits...easy for her to say...I have to always think..When Charlie gets older and hears this story/reads this letter..how do I want him to feel and view all parties involved.

Anyway, Bradley and I are trying to get together a letter and run it by Christian homes and then the birth mom's mom before it goes to the birth parents. The one thing that keeps coming into my mind is the birth moms comment to us when she was asked about what she wanted in terms of future visits. She told us that she would like to see him, but did not think it would be a good idea because she did not want to confuse Charlie in regards to who his family is. Above all, my biggest concern is doing what is best for Charlie..and we all know that God knows what is best and we just keep praying for his direction and guidance.

My other issue..since I am one a roll..this post was intended to be a one sentence.."Pray for us as we head to Abilene on Monday". We usually hear from birth mom's family not birth mom..which I understand since she is young but when her sisters call to plan a visit..I am out. In my perfect world I would love to have a once a year or every other year visit with just the birth mom. But with her young age comes an entourage..every time. Since this post was to begin as a pray request then I will end on that note..I got an email planning the get together on Monday and I feel certain it will be birth mom and her large entourage....at least I have a few days to get mentally prepared to pass my baby to people I don't know....I am not being rude, I realize they see Charlie as part of their family, but see it from my eyes...that's my baby....when you read that in your head it's supposed to sound sweet not sassy!

I will post on Monday or Tuesday when we get home. I would put a pic with this, but since I am at work it's not happening!