1st Appearance Not Too Bad After All!

The 1st appearance wasn't bad after all. It took approiximately 20 minutes for the judge to read through the list of legal mumbo-jumbo and to set the date for the "answer" appearance. We were told that the foster kids had to be present, but when we got there they were only allowed to be in the court room for about 5 minutes while the judge made sure they were there and then they were told they needed to leave and wait in the hallway. ????? I did not understand that one. But at least the 1st appearance is done and we on our way to the 2nd one which is in about 1 month. It seems like these things take forever. It's been almost 4 years now and these last few steps could take another year to be over with. I need to learn how to take things day by day and just be happy that things seem to be going the right direction. I sure will be glad when this is all finished though!

1st Appearance

Tomorrow is bio mom's "1st appearance". Our case worker told us that the foster kids would not have to be present at this appearance, but the paper work said otherwise. So the kids have to go. I don't understand why. This is new for us so I don't know what to expect. I hope it is short and uneventful. I'm told this is the time when the "dads" can show up (if they are going to.) I hope no dads show up. They have not been in these kids lives for most of four years and in my opinion don't deserve to show up all of a sudden and be given any rights to these kids. I'll just have to hope and pray that our roller coaster ride doesn't decide to begin again tomorrow.