Custody of Norah

As many of you read on Facebook as of Septemeber 1st, 2011 we have Allocation of Parental rights for Norah (aka custody)! 

going into El Paso County Court House

We had a hearing on September 1st, I had to sit at the witness stand, be sworn in, and testify, kind of weird.....  It was mostly yes and no questions, thank goodness because I was sooo nervous!  They were questions about our family, our children,  our marriage, why we had Norah, when my sister passed away, how long Norah had been in Colorado, and how Norah was doing (that is always such a broad question to answer).  Everything went fairly smooth and the judge granted custody that day!

going into the hearing, with a big ol pregnant belly

What does Custody Mean?

So custody basically means we have "say" over Norah and are financially/medically responsible for her.  We do NOT have parental rights though.  This is where adoption comes in.  Adopting Norah means that we will terminate parental rights of any living parent she has, it means that WE will be her "Parents" and have full rights over her.

Why have we not adopted yet?

We have not adopted Norah yet because she has to live with us for 1 year before we can file for a kinship adoption.  We also have to clear FBI investigations, have a home study and meet with a social worker before we adopt.

Why did we have to get custody?

It is for the safety of Norah, so that someone is financially/medically responsible for her and it helps us with the adoption process and keeping her in our home.

Adoption is permanent, custody is not.

Who ever thought I would be given custody of a child and birth one in the same month, crazy!

Gotta love her!