Praying for Ellie

My heart is breaking and I've cried until I have no tears left. Yesterday Ellie's case worker called and told me that the judge in Ellie's case is suddenly allowing her mother to have visits to allow them to form a relationship. This sounds very bad for our adoption. Ellie hasn't had any contact with her mother since she was 12 months old, and now that she is 3 he wants to allow visits?!

We have been waiting on her TPR (termination of parental rights) since November and he okayed DSS to proceed with that and denied any visits with the mother in October 2008, now suddenly he is having 2nd thoughts. This child was terribly treated in that home and came into care emotionally shut down and traumatized. It took her a long time to trust us and begin to live again. Going back into that home would be devastating for her. Ellie has lived with us for 18 months and was in other 2 foster homes for for a few months before we got her, so we've had her longer than her mother ever did.

The mother's trial hasn't come up yet and the fathers is going to be incarcerated for a while, so the judge can't just give them back, but this is very scary for us.

I'm praying and fasting and waiting until our court date in April to hear his decision about TPR, and if he denies TPR, what happens to Ellie?

I have not totally despaired, though, for God is in control. In the book Anne of Green Gables, Merilla says, "to despair is to doubt God". The Bible tells me that the heart of the leaders and judges are in his hands ; that He places them where He will. And, I know that the Lord loves my little girl, even more than I, and she is in His care. He can still work this out for us, but either way God is still God and I will praise Him.

All of this got me to thinking how wondrous the human heart is. How is it possible to love another person's child just like your own? To have the same depth of love without any biological ties? When I see Ellie, I see my own daughter and don't even realize that she didn't come from my womb. Everything about her makes her my child, even though her skin is darker than mine, she is so much like me.

It's going to be a long wait until April, but until then I 'll keep praying for God to work in the heart of the judge and for me and my family to have peace and trust in Him. If you read this and feel led, please mention us in your prayers.

Roscoe update at 9 weeks.

Last night, Roscoe slept from 11:00 pm to 6:00am. Finally! I feel like partying today! After I took him out, I put him back in the crate and we slept until 7:00. He's been staying outside in the playpen on the front porch, on these nice days lately. He loves to play wherever the kids are playing. So far, he's not really active, not at all hyper, and not a biter. He is about as active as Jack was.
At 8 weeks he weighed 14 1/2 pounds and there's no telling what he weighs today at 9 1/2 weeks, but he seems to have doubled already.
We've been socializing him some by taking hime to church at night and letting him stay in his crate in the van until we get out, then he plays with all the kids. That worked well for Jack and Delta and both are very trustworthy around children. Even the toddlers can pet him because he won't bite. It's time to start training him, as he doesn't really like to listen. It's hard to get hime to come when called.
Over all he is a very nice dog with a quick mind that shouldn't be too hard to get basic obedience trained. This week we're going to start on "leave it" and "come".
The vet has put him on calcium, since he is growing so big, she's concerned about his joints and bones. We're feeding him IAMS puppy food with a little protein baby cereal mixed in, at her recommendation. His coat is beautiful...shiny and soft.

Grandchildren Pictures

Cousins
Savannah and Chad Allen almost 7 months old.


Okay Granny, you got your pictures, now where's the candy?

Menu # 1 this week.

Menu for the week of March 9th to 15th is week #1's menu. You noticed I don't go in any order, just whatever appeals or is on sale. Here it is..
BREAKFAST: cereal 2x, pancakes, sausage biscuits, oatmeal, toast and egg salad, grits and eggs

LUNCH: pot pies, sandwiches and chips 2x, frozen pizza, leftovers 2x, beanie wienies

SUPPER:
Frozen Shrimp, Potato Salad, Hush Puppies (this is Jake's birthday choice, but we're having it this week due to revival last week)

Chicken noodle casserole, green beans and peaches

Hamburger chili macaroni, salad, fruit cocktail

Sloppy joes, tater tots and carrot sticks with dip

Homemade chicken pot pie

Tuna pot pie, pear halves

Sausage and red rice, cabbage, cornbread, applesauce

SNACKS: Choc cake, jello and cool whip, pudding, brownies, popcorn

I'll do my shopping on Tuesday and post my total cost, this time I don't have as many of the items as I did last week.