Last night an unidentified dear friend placed a plain shopping bag on the front doorknob of our house. The contents included a stuffed animal bunny and something that appears to be a bib. There is nothing to identify the gift giver.

Carrie slept all night in her crib. In fact, she slept until after I showered and dressed. I changed her diaper immediately after getting her up. She had a fantastic BM. Breakfast was the same today as yesterday, cereal made with pediasure. I took her to daycare at 7:30AM. She was the 2nd child to arrive and sat down to a biscuit with jelly, a half banana and a cup of milk. I kissed her goodbye and went to work.

Kent met me at the daycare at 5:15PM so I could show him the routine. Carrie was again thrilled to see me. This time one of the workers was holding her. When she saw me, she squirmed to get down and quickly walked to me and gestured to be picked up. The daycare log said that she had a hamburger on a bun for lunch. She had 3 wet diapers and one BM.

Once at home, we played in the living room a little. My dad and stepmom came for a visit at 6:00PM. Stepmom got her dinner started with some apple/plum sauce and a few saltines. Kent made spaghetti with meat sauce. I took some of the ground beef before he put it in the sauce and offered it to Carrie but she didn’t want it. I put it on a plate with some shredded cheese. She ate the cheese. Once the spaghetti was ready, I sat down to eat with Carrie in my lap. I put some of my spaghetti on a small plate for her. She fed herself with her fingers. She drank mostly water this evening and had 2 wet diapers before bed. Dad and Stepmom gave her a bath at 8:30PM. She was asleep in her crib by 9.

I am at work today. I also go to my very last class for the first time today. It started yesterday, but I missed it. I contacted the professor to let him know I'd be missing and why. He said no problem.

Our friend Dana left a gift on the porch for us last night. It's is an adorable little dress with ice cream sundaes on it. She now has 6 dresses.

Carrie was awake by 2AM, however. I moved to the full bed in her room and let her sleep with me. To say she slept the rest of the night would be a stretch. She tossed, turned, wiggled and squirmed the rest of the night. Several times I had to remove her feet from my face. I woke up at 6:30. We both got up and had breakfast. I made Gerber cereal for her using vanilla pediatric drink (like pediasure). She kept eating it as long as I mixed it up. I ended up using 6 oz of the drink mixed with cereal.

Kent changed her diaper so I could get her ready for the day. She had a fairly large BM. We both finished getting ready, and I took her to her first day at daycare. I'm very tired today, but still pumped with the excitement of having her.

She is at her first day in daycare. I've already talked to them 3 times...am I neurotic? When we got to the daycare, the workers seated her at a small table where they were serving breakfast to the toddlers. I didn’t realize that they served breakfast, or I may not have had her eat so much at home. In the end, however, I’m glad she ate at home. It shows that she’s comfortable.

I picked her up at about 5:15. Her activity sheet said that she ate a morning snack of fruit, chicken noodle for lunch, and another snack in the afternoon. She had milk and juice throughout the day. She had another BM diaper at 9AM and three wet diapers throughout the day.

When she saw me walk into the room she dropped the toy she was playing with and walked over to me. I squatted down to hug her. I stood back up to talk to the ladies who work in the toddler room. Carrie tugged on my pants and reached for me to pick her up, so I did. I kept talking to the ladies. Carrie put one hand on each of my cheeks and turned my face towards her as if to say, “Pay attention to me.” I said goodbye to the ladies and took her home.

Once at home, I thought I would try and put her things away in the dresser. I placed a gate at the top of the stairs, closed the door to Kent’s office and the door to the bathroom. I showed her some toys, hoping she would play while I put things away. She kept bringing toys to me insisting that I play. I gave in and focused all my attention on her.

We started dinner at 6:30. She didn’t finish the stage 2 chicken noodle dinner from yesterday, so I let her have that. I gave her the spoon and let her go at it. She managed to get most of it in her mouth. I helped with the last couple of spoonfuls. She also ate two fish sticks and a couple saltine crackers. She drank about 5 ounces of water between arrival home and dinner, then about 6 ounces of apple juice. We went for a walk/stroll in the neighborhood again at 7. I gave her a cup of water to take with her. She drank about 3 ounces.

I changed her diaper three times at home this evening. All three were wet. I gave her a bath at 8. Then I held her while I sat in the chair in her room. She was asleep in her crib shortly before 9.

EMAIL FROM TRINA

Wow, it sounds like you had a long fun day!! It's great how you document everything-it is definitely helpful for my records as well. I faxed some information to interstate yesterday as they are going to try to expedite the process since [your county] will not get involved until interstate has been completed. I will let you know as soon as I hear something. But it sounds like Stewart will have to have a visit here since they are organized in your county yet. Let me know how you want to work this out [because] Stewart called yesterday and left a message about when he could visit. By the way Carmen told me yesterday that she has friends that live down the street from you and that she is going to have them take picture for evidence as she claims Steweart will see Carrie all the time. Thought this would be interesting! Call me if you need anything. Thanks for everything!!

Carmen is just crazy. She doesn't know people who live near me. Even if she did, would they really take pictures of us as we come and go? I don't think so. This is all more evidence as to why she will never have custody of Carrie again.

Welcome Home, Baby!

Kent and I picked Carrie up from BCCSB in Hamilton today at approximately 11AM. We went to visit my cousin Trudy in Franklin, OH. Then we went to lunch at Burger King in Middletown. Carrie ate some of my French fries and chicken. She ate about two bites of chicken and about 7 french fries. She drank water.

Her appointment at the pediatrician was at 1:45PM. This was her overdue 18-month checkup. Her weight is down compared to her last visit at the same clinic. On April 15 she weighed 22 lbs 13 oz. Today she weighs 21 lbs 15 oz. She also has a mild infection in her right ear. She received a prescription for antibiotics. I filled out a change of address form at the front desk and gave it to Kaya.

Kaya commented that Carrie was like a different child. She couldn’t believe how much Carrie was walking and how active she was. She said that normally Carrie was very quiet in the doctor’s office and usually held by her mother.

We stopped at Walgreen’s on Briel Blvd to get the prescription filled. I gave them a change of address also.

We arrived home in Lexington around 5:00. We ate a snack together of cheese on wheat crackers, goldfish crackers, and apple sauce. She ate some lettuce from my salad. I tried to get her to eat a bite of my pork chop, but she didn’t want it. I changed her diaper at 6:30. She was wet.

We went for a walk around the block at about 7PM. Then we had another bite to eat. This time she had some stage 2 chicken noodle dinner and more crackers. She also drank apple juice.

I gave her a bath at 8. Her diaper was wet again. She was in bed by 9.

FAQs

My friends have been emailing with so many questions today. We are burning up the servers.

Carrie is 20 months old and weighs about 24 pounds. You can buy clothes according to that information. The whole baby clothing size thing is still confusing to me. Some clothes are sized by months. Some are sized by numbers like 2T, 3T etc. I think she is 2T or 18-20 months.

We are already registered at Target. You can get a list of our registry items at the Target guest service counter. The list is searchable by "father" using either my name or kent's name. We also plan to register at Babies R Us.

We had Peter and Tracy over for dinner tonight. They want to have a baby shower at their house and came to discuss the details. They want to have it on July 30 at their house. Tracy is encouraging me to invite nearly everyone I know. He says this is my one chance to get some "loot" for Carrie. So, I gave him a list of about 125 people. (WOW!) I don't expect even half of them to come.

In addition to that I've been working on that list of phone calls. I talked to someone on the phone about getting Carrie started with First Steps because the court wants to continue the therapies she currently receives. They wanted records from the people in OH so sent an email to Betsy. She replied saying that she couldn't talk to me until the 28th. I told her that I understand, so then I called Trina and asked her to send a release to Betsy allowing her to give records to First Steps. When Betsy received the release she talked to a First Steps rep on the phone. They decided that we will have to schedule an evaluation.

I talked to Trina on Friday about sending a referral to our county social services. They will need to assign a social worker to us.

I also talked to Brandy at daycare. She said to bring Carrie in next week; they have a spot open for her.

Etc., Etc. I'm going to bed.

My attorney and the baby's attorney are planning to file for full legal custody shortly before the trial. I guess they don't expect Carmen to get Carrie back. Things aren't looking good for her because of her behavior during supervision and because of her psychological evaluation.

Today was a normal visit in OH even though I get to take her home next Tuesday. Trina was full of stories about how "crazy" Carmen has been acting. Here are some of the crazy thing's Carmen has been doing:

1. She cleans the toys that she will allow Carrie to play with
2. She puts the toys away, closes the toybox and tells Carrie that she is being too compulsive to play anymore
3. Carrie is experimenting with opening cabinet doors and putting things in them. The center has a childrens sized play kitchen. Carrie put some stuffed animals in the oven. Carmen scolded her telling her that she would get into trouble for killing animals.
4. She talks to Carrie in sign language
5. She ignores Carrie
6. She talks to Carrie as if she were an adult, telling her that she and her friends are going to boycott children services because they won't let her come home.
7. She put a poopie diaper in her purse claiming she was going to have it analyzed and use it against them in court.
8. more that I can't think of right now.

I GOT CUSTODY!

EMAIL FROM HANNAH:

Jody, I have not received the entry yet, but I did confirm the details with Bruce. You do receive custody of Carrie effective 6/28. Call Trina for details on picking her up.

Stewart's visitations do remain the same. Bruce is already working on a few ways to move the visitation to Kentucky. Both involve the approval of the Guardian Ad Litem and Childrens Services, so it may take a little time to work out. Hopefully, we can work something out in the next few days.

I should receive a copy of the entry tomorrow. I will forward it to you as soon as possible.

Hanna F

MY REPLY:

Hi Hannah,

I was able to reach Gilda on the phone after I left a message for you. She received a copy of the order via fax and forwarded it on to me via fax. I called Trina to talk about actually taking custody on the 28th. I also asked her about scheduling the supervised visitations later in the evening when their offices are open until 8PM. She and I will talk again tomorrow. Please call me so we can talk more about my involvement as a party in the case. For instance, what is included in "dispositional issues"?

I actually got custody! There's going to be a baby in my house! I have so much to do. I made a list of phone calls I have to make immediately to prepare for her arrival next week.

1. First steps
2. Daycare
3. Childcare assistance office
4. Norah re visitations
5. Trina re healthcare/$ assistance
6. Drew re pediatrician
7. Seth re pediatrician
8. Betsy re therapies records
9. Kaya re medical records
10. My class instructor
    

I'm so excited I don't think I can sleep, but I have to.

No Decision Today

EMAIL TO FRIENDS:

I apologize for not writing sooner to keep you up to date on what's happening with my niece, Carrie. She has been in custody of children services for 2 months and 1 day. My mom, brother and I have been to see her every single week since she went into a foster home.

Several things have been developing in the last two months. I'm not sure how much I mentioned the last time, but before she was removed from her mom she couldn't walk, talk or eat solid food. She was 17 months old! Within just a few weeks she began to walk unassisted. She started eating table food, according to her foster mom. We always take snacks when we visit, things like animal crackers, goldfish crackers and Gerber cereal bars. She gobbles them up now and reaches for more. Two weeks ago she even picked up my water bottle and drank out of it all by herself. She is starting to form words. She will say "bye", "kitty", "uh-oh", "all right" and maybe a few more. The bottom line is that she is making tremendous progress since having been removed from her mom.

In the meantime, I have been working on trying to get a home-study completed. At first I hounded the intake worker in Ohio to process my paperwork and send it to Columbus. After that Columbus will send a request to Frankfort, who then sends it to Fayette County. Once a local social worker does the home study, the final report has to go back through the same route. It passes through an office called Interstate Compact. I found out pretty early that the whole thing can take as long as 6 months.

When I found out that Carrie was going to be moved to a second foster home, I realized that I didn't have 6 months to just sit around and wait. A very dear friend who knows the ins and outs of social work in Kentucky referred me to a retired, licensed MSW who would do a private home study for a fee. I hired her, hoping that she could get the report done in time for a June 14 hearing. Two things went wrong: she had a family emergency and couldn't do it right away and the June 14 hearing was rescheduled for reasons beyond my control. So, the MSW came to my house the weekend after June 14 to begin. She finished the report and sent it out this past Saturday to the baby's guardian ad lidem in Ohio. The guardian received it yesterday, just in time for the pre-trial hearing that was scheduled for today.

I hired my own attorney 2 weeks ago. She filed a motion to add me as a party to the case. She has also been in communication with the guardian. The guardian also had a conversation with my brother's attorney yesterday. Together, they all decided to ask the judge/magistrate to place Carrie with me. So, today in court, my brother's attorney introduced the request for temporary custody to be awarded to me. The guardian concurred. My attorney spoke on my behalf saying that I fully understand the responsibility and that I'm committed to taking care of her and making sure her current special needs are met. Then the caseworker said that she was fully in favor of reunification with a family member who with a good home study report. Then the baby's attorney (former guardian in domestic relations court) reiterated that she thought Carrie should be in my custody all along. She impressed upon the court how damaging it is for Carrie to be moved around so much and that I can provide her with a stable home during all this mess.

One would think that with 4 attorneys and a caseworker advocating for me to get temporary custody it would be a no-brainer. It isn't that simple. The magistrate said that she wanted to have a conversation with the magistrate who placed Carrie in foster care before she made a ruling. She took under advisement. We should know something by this time next week. Our attorneys and the case worker said that this particular magistrate has a reputation for making family placements and that she'll most likely award temporary custody to me. I can only hope now.

Finally, the mother's trial has been set for November 2 & 3 all day each day. I will have to testify, but won't be allowed in the courtroom otherwise.

My love to you. Please think of my niece when you pray/meditate/commune with your higher power.

Homestudy Complete

Colette brought over a very favorable finished homestudy report today. She sent it via FedEx to Norah S for guaranteed delivery on Monday morning at 10:30AM. I scanned it and sent it via email to Hannah and Gilda.

Today we had to spend our visit time indoors at CSB. It's a little gloomy in there because the rooms are all so small and windowless. They are full of toys so Carrie enjoys it. She actually fell asleep at the end. Stewart got upset about it, but what are you going to do? Nothing.

We just finished our second meeting with Colette W. She will have the home study report ready for us to review tomorrow evening. She spoke with Norah at some point this week and agreed to overnight it directly to her. Copies will be available for others. I need to ask my lawyer if she wants me to overnight a copy to her before Tuesday. If not, I'll scan it and send it to her via e-mail over the weekend.

My laywer let me know today that she has filed a notice of appearance and a motion to be joined as a party. That is the normal way to get involved so that I can be considered for legal custody if it comes to it.

We found out Tuesday that Carrie was moved to a home in Dayton. This is her 2nd home in less than 2 months. She's at risk for RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder). At what point will we try to use my home study in a motion for custody? I don't want her to stay in foster care any longer than she has to.

all-you-can-eat shit buffet

I have my moments in which I can't understand why things aren't moving faster. Then someone like Drew reminds me that the system is always this slow. I'm not good at letting go of things that are beyond my control. Carrie has been moved to another foster home. This time in Dayton. Her crazy mother keeps pulling stupid stunts. I'm told that the main reason that Carrie was moved is because her foster mom didn't want to deal with Carmen's antics. Evidently, Carmen filed a complaint with the foster care ombud office and threatened to call the TV news stations. That and some other things led to foster mom giving her notice. I'm afraid this will happen over and over until Carrie is out of foster care. Then, of course, Carmen will just turn her efforts towards me or whoever gets Carrie. I hope my lawyer can use my homestudy report to help me get custody.

Then there's my mom and brother. Someone told me in April that I would have to eat a lot of shit in order to get through this. Well, I'm at an all-you-can-eat shit buffet and hating every minute of it. I ask myself if it's worth it sometimes. Then I think of Carrie and what may happen to her if I give up. So I continue.

There was a hearing in OH today regarding the objection that Bruce filed on behalf of Stewart. The objection asked for a reversal of the adjudication that placed Carrie in foster care. It also requested that Stewart get sole custody. Hannah presented my motion for custody. The magistrate did not make any changes and did not hear my motion. It has been set for next week on June 21 at 1:30PM

Colette, the social worker, came to our house today to interview us for the homestudy. She will have her report done before the June 21 hearing. I hope we can use it in support of a moion for custody.

We went to Ohio to visit Carrie again today. Norah, the new GAL, observed for a while. I talked to her about homestudies. She strongly recommended that I go ahead and get a private home study. As it turns out, I found someone to do one. She was local social worker for several years and is still licensed. She is coming to our house on Sunday to interview us.

Letter to Hannah

Dear Hannah,

I've been thinking about a lot of things that I believe you, as my attorney, need to know in order to make decisions about how to advise me and handle this case. I have doubts about the potential proposal that you presented to me on Wednesday. Use whatever information you think may be relevant.

As I understand it, Bruce H wants to propose that Stewart get custody of Carrie with the condition our mother and I provide support. If Stewart can't fulfill his responsibilities as a father or if something happens, then our mother OR I will get Carrie. I want what's best for Carrie. She has a right to safety, security, stimulation, to be nurtured and nourished. All these things are a part of permanency. The proposal as I understand it is the opposite of permanency. The primary flaw is that the proposal implies that Stewart will fail. Another flaw is that either Mom OR I will get Carrie. Who will decide? This situation only sets me up to face my own mother in court sooner or later.

I love my mother and am deeply conflicted about my decision to share this with you. Her relationship with my brother is strained and interdependent at the same time. He clings to her when he feels needy, and she's happy to oblige. She doesn't know when to back off. Stewart reaches a point at which he feels smothered and lashes out at her. He curses at her and tells her to get out of his life. Her feelings get hurt and she cries about it. I've seen it happen over and over throughout Stewart's entire life.

Now I'll go back a bit further. My mother is 11 years older than her youngest brother. Their father died when Mom was only 14 and her brother was only 3. Mom met my father less than a year later, conceived me and then married him when she was 16. Her brother was almost 6 when I was born. By that time, her mother was becoming disabled with arthritis. She was in a wheelchair in my earliest memories. Because of my grandmother's disability, Mom took responsibility for raising her brother. During this time my father was physically abusive to Mom.

Wanting another child of her own, she got pregnant again when I was about 5. I clearly remember the day she told Dad she was pregnant. He put his fist through a wall and cursed at her for deciding on her own to get pregnant. Stewart was born five weeks after my 6th birthday.

Mom was never able to fully exert any kind of parental control over her brother. He dropped out of high school and before he was 20 got a woman pregnant. He didn't marry the woman. By the time he found out she was pregnant he had married another woman. He has been in jail several times, mostly for DUI.

His wife wanted nothing to do with his illegitimate son, whose mother was strung out on drugs. The baby was removed from his mother and faced going to a foster home by the time he was four. My mom volunteered to take him.

By this time Mom and Dad divorced and Grandmother died. Two to three years later, Mom remarried. Her husband had two teenage children. The daughter stayed with her mom. The son stayed with Mom and her husband. She still had custody of her nephew. By the time Stewart was fourteen he was out of control. Stewart fought and argued with Mom's husband, his son and Mom's nephew frequently. After several violent conflicts between Stewart and our stepbrother, Stewart was hospitalized and determined to be mentally ill. The bipolar disorder diagnosis came later. He was in and out of the hospital a lot. He quit public school and dabbled in home schooling and some sort of Christian correspondence study in order to graduate.

Mom's nephew became belligerent at school. He was suspended several times and expelled. Eventually he was removed from Mom's custody and sent to live in a series of group homes. He never graduated and can barely read. I believe he has been in jail at least once. As for Mom's stepson, he also dropped out of high school and reads at a low level. He stole items like guns and power tools from his own father and neighbors to sell for money.

I'm not trying to paint a bad picture of anyone. I'm just telling the truth. Mom has had a hand in rearing five boys. Three of them are high-school dropouts. One has serious mental illness, and then there's me.

I've spent my share of time in counseling to work through a lot of issues. I finally feel like I'm in a good place in my life. After a successful 5 year career as a registered financial services rep, I decided to go back to school and begin a career in Information Technology. I will finish my BS in Telecommunications on August 4. I'm now employed at the University as a Technical Support Specialist providing desktop and network support. I share a beautiful historic home with my partner of 7 years. We're both active in the community and have a large network of friends. Neither one of us wanted children, so this isn't about my trying to get a child.

I don't believe Stewart has the mental or intellectual capacity to be responsible for a child. During the 5 days that he and I shared temporary custody his limits were tested by meeting Carrie's basic needs. He was very mechanical in feeding, bathing and changing her. Once after giving her a bath she threw a tantrum. He carried her down the stairs holding her away from him as if she were a repulsive object. He handed her to me and said, "I can't do it. She hates me. She won't stop screaming." He never attempted to make arrangements for her medical care, therapies and daycare.

It also frightens me to think that Mom may end up being the parental figure for Carrie. She told me recently that she doesn't understand why the court doesn't just give Carrie to her. She believes that she has some sort of automatic right to custody. It has become a matter of pride for her. Until I decided to hire my own attorney, Mom and Stewart seemed to be happy with the work I've done. Now they are beginning to view me as an enemy.

Regarding any potential joint custody, Stewart will probably insist on keeping her at his home. If Mom were the second party, she would likely agree at first. If that doesn't work out the alternatives are for Stewart to stay with Mom or for Mom to stay with Stewart. Both scenarios will have negative results. Stewart and Mom's husband don't get along well. This will lead to conflicts if he stays with Mom. If Mom stays with Stewart, her husband will resent her absence.

Stewart's psychological evaluation was performed on May 17th. I suspect the results will not be favorable. Can you find out if a report is finished and available to you? This may be relevant for the June 14 hearing. I don't want to fight with my family, but Carrie isn't a lab rat to be used in an experiment or a prize to be won in a contest. When do I stop trying to rally Mom and Stewart and begin my own fight for what I think is truly best for Carrie?

Sincerely,
Jody

In Search of a Homestudy

I have been doing my research to find a place/person to do a homestudy for us.

I called the following places:

AdoptInc. The woman (Brenda Riddle) who focuses on interstate homestudies is out of town until Monday. The woman I spoke with said that the typical home study is $1500-$1700.

Helping Hand Adoption: Left a message

Adoptions of Kentucky: Before they can give an exact quote they need to know what Ohio (Butler Co) requires in a home study checklist and what kind of credentials the worker needs to have. They want it in writing. The ballpark figure is $1500

Diana Beard-Cowden PSC Attorney. Left a message.

Childplace Lexington: they're really located in Indiana with a satellite office in KY for adoption services, but not interstate homestudy services.

Catholic Social Services: Barb Mulligan will call me back. They're not quite up and running on doing home studies.

I called Brandy at the daycare today to let her know the status of our family situation. I really want to keep Carrie on the waiting list just in case I do get custody of her. I'll need daycare service. She said no problem and asked that I continue to keep her informed.

We have basically been going to OH once a week on Fridays to see Carrie. Sometimes we all talk in the car. Other times I just try to be as quiet as I can in order to survive it. I haven't told Mom or Stewart that I have an attorney yet.

Betsy's Reply

Jody,

It’s nice to hear from you and I’m glad you and Stewart are able to see Carrie more often. Unfortunately I am unable to provide any information to you due to the legal situation. I hope things continue to go well for you.

Betsy

Hannah,

I spent some time this weekend filling in the holes of my journal, primarily the time between March 4 and April 29 (the day of our first supervised visit). This is the one you should print and read.

It occurred to me this weekend that I should tell you a bit about our family dynamics so you can be prepared in court and hopefully avoid any surprises. Stewart is my brother. Holly is our mother. I have been more deeply involved in this journey than Mom. Nonetheless, she has been involved as much as she can despite working two jobs. When the temporary custody order was issued on April 15 stating that I would have joint temporary custody with my brother she became upset. She assumed that because she's the grandmother that she would automatically be chosen instead of me. None of us knew that Gilda S was going to advocate for Carrie's removal at the time, nor did we ever think that I would get joint temporary custody. I suppose Gilda recommended me because of my ongoing involvement. Since that time, Bruce H, Stewart's attorney, and Gilda have both continued to encourage me to petition for the home study. Gilda has consistently told me that she is going to advocate for me to have permanent custody. Mom, Stewart and I have all talked about the situation. We have agreed that in order to get Carrie safely out of foster care, we have to appear united as a family and support my getting custody. However, as time passes, they both seem to be bothered by it. Mom has expressed that she is deeply disappointed. Stewart has begun to believe that no one other than him should have custody. His mental illness seems to be more pronounced. He has no concept of the real responsibility involved. During our drive home from visiting Carrie Friday, I told them about my hiring you. I explained that I am trying to cover all bases just in case the judge doesn't reverse the April 20 order that put Carrie in foster care. Stewart all but said that if he couldn't have custody, he'd rather her stay in foster care. I'm afraid this could get ugly.

I'm not sure if I have given you a clear picture, because the situation isn't very clear to begin with. If you have questions or want to have a conversation about this, please call me. I want to be prepared for court.

Sincerely,
Jody

This is the text of an email I sent to Betsy R, the facilities coordinator where Carrie has been getting physical therapy.

Hi Betsy, It's been a while since you and I communicated. Life for all of us has been a whirlwind of changes. Since Carrie entered her foster home with Linda, we have been visiting her every week at the CSB facility. She seems to be making significant progress developmentally. I am thrilled to see that she is walking independently and eating solid food. Linda told us that Carrie is eating table food. I can't tell you how happy I am about all of that. The other side of this coin is that we are deeply disappointed that she's in foster care. We do at least have more contact with her than before. Stewart and I are both continuing the fight. If you are permitted to reply to my message I would love to know what Lynne and Michelle's goal sheets and progress reports are saying about Carrie's development. I'm also wondering if you know whether or not anyone from your facility will be providing information to the court for the upcoming trial and/or sending a representative to testify. I will anxiously await your reply. Take care! Jody R

We drove to Ohio to see Carrie today. The weather was nice so we stayed outside at the CSB play yard most of the time. I'm so pleased at how Carrie continues to blossom. For the most part during our visits I stay in the background in order to let Stewart enjoy his time with her. If I don't, he complains. Mom and I have both learned to be seen and not heard as much as possible.



Tonight after I got back home I sent several of the court documents to Hannah via email. I also returned my signed custody affadavit to her with my journal. So far, Kent is the only person who knows that I have hired an attorney.

FORMAL LETTER TO MY ATTORNEY

Dear Ms. Fxxxxxxx:

Thank you so much for choosing to represent me. My first priority in this situation is to make sure that my niece, Carrie, is safe and secure. I truly believe that she will be that and more in my custody. I need for you to do everything possible to help expedite the interstate home study. Likewise, I’m willing to do what it takes on my end in Kentucky. I will make phone calls, write letters and attend as many meetings as I need to.

As a reminder, the upcoming court dates are June 14, 2005, at 10:00AM and June 21, 2005, at 1:30PM. You indicated on the telephone today that you are available for both dates. Please let me know as soon as possible if anything changes.

Enclosed is a check for the full amount we discussed ($500) plus the court filing fee ($70). Again, thank you for representing me, and thank you in advance for all your help.

Sincerely,
Jody

I called and left a message for my new attorney today. Her name is Hannah.