We've applied for something called "De Facto" status with the courts. This gives us a legal voice within the courts and social services system. Right now, we have no rights - we are just care givers.

This De Facto parenting status is something that has to be approved by the courts and even the lawyers, which means there is no guarantee that we will get it. Just like the rest of this process we are in....no guarantees.

Our social worker has told us that it may not happen, and it could happen. You just never know in this system. It all seems to depend on the judge and how that judge feels mom is doing or COULD be doing with more time.

So even though we know we just started this process, we FEEL like we have been in it for years already (with all the medical attention needed for the kids and the day-to-day with them) We've come a long way with the kids. They are doing GREAT and they are GREAT kids. SO when we look back and see all that has been developed and accomplished....we see the blessings. We gotta hang on to that.

August 20th is the next court date. We'll need to just start assuming that more surprises and delays await us. �