We have a court date coming up on February 18th. At this hearing, the judge will approve or disapprove of terminating Mom's parental rights. Bittersweet, y'all.
If approved, we will have a 30-day waiting period before we can file an intent to adopt. Within that window, Mom can appeal. She has said to me, "I can't win," therefore, I really have no idea whether or not she will try. As a mom, I can't imagine not trying, but I just don't know.
I have had to visit with her several times. She has said things like:
- I don't want him to call me Mom; you're the one earning that title.
- I want to surrender, but it's hard. (I imagine so.)
- If I'm ever messing up again, don't let me see him.
I have also met with her dad. He seems to completely approve of her not getting Dumplin back....and us adopting him. He really seems comforted when I say that I have no intentions of cutting him out of Dumplin's life. I have no reason to....but I did mention to him that I hope he doesn't hate me if, at some point, I have to distance us from Mom. He said, "Sometimes, I'd like to distance myself." What a tough a spot he's in. Sad.
I hate the waiting, but Dumplin is worth waiting for.
