I've not been on the site much recently, It's been a rough couple of weeks around here lately. My sister in law,{wife's sister} had a little girl last January. The sister, would top a list of unfit mothers if there was one. The good part is, she knows she's unfit and wants whats best for her daughter. After Tess was born she signed over parental rights to her parents with the parents planning the adopt her. Grandma and Grandpa are in thier 50's and are not in the best health.

Fast forward to now, Grandma and Grandpa have gotten a taste of what the next 18 years are going to be like and are getting cold feet. My wife and I have wanted to step in but were afraid of insulting her parents. About two weeks ago we got the phone call. Tess is with us now and doing very well, she will have two sisters now that she can grow up with and parents that can keep up with her and don't smoke in the house. We have an appointment this Wensday with our lawyer to start the temporary custody/adoption process.

The bad part about all this is, my wife's family is pretty unstable. I don't mean some of them, I mean ALL of them. Right now everybody is agreeable and very happy that Tes is with us, but that could change in a minute. One argument between Grandma and Grandpa {who BTW are divorced living under the same roof} could change everything. Right now we have no legal claim to Tess and don't have a leg to stand on if they want to take her back. I doubt it will happen, and even if it dose I think we could make a pretty good case to child protective services, who are very aware of the situation. I just hope they can all stay sane until we have something in writing. Say some prayors for us and that wonderful little girl.

My daughter Jillian on the left, Tess on the right.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/PinMd/100_2918.jpg

Good luck with your process. I admire your taking care of the child for her well being.

Phil you and the Mrs. hang in there, you are doing the best thing for Tess. She needs a good stable and healthy home to live in and any judge and Social Service people better see this situation clearly. You are the best and possibly ONLY hope for her to grow up happy and healthy. Prayers go out to you all.

A couple cuities you have there. Best of luck Phil...

Phil...
Best of luck with the steps you both are about to take. It should all be fine once you take care of the thinks with an attorney. Cuties for sure..:)


Kev

Good vibes out to you & your family ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It must be very difficult. You & your family are stepping up like few would. Highly commendable. Just get the legal stuff done ASAP. 'Strike while the iron is hot'.

Good Luck Phil!

Good luck Phil...I have a girl and another on the way and they get your soul, which I know you and any other fathers of girls understand...sounds like a great environment for her to thrive in ,with your girls, so I'll keep ya in my prayers!

Good luck, Phil. Remember, they need a 'rock' to rely on in their life. You & yours had one one while going up and the 'rock' is still there.

Good luck with everything.You and your wife are great people!From the father of 2 girls 6 and 17 yr. old get a gun you will need it.All boys are evil.I know I was one.

You will be in my prayers, I hope all goes well.

I know couples that would give 3 front lug nuts to have a girl like that... :yes:

Best of luck with everything.

Good luck!

You and your wife are a great people!
We're all praying for your family and especially Tess.
Keep us informed.

Mike

What a couple of cuties for sure...:thumbsup: I hope everything goes well for all of you. Kudos to you and your wife...:D

God Bless you :thumbsup:

Good luck.Those two are sweet. Dewayne:hurray:

Ditto here too!

We had our second Grandbaby, (right at 3 month's old), over today while her 2 year old older sister went to Day Care b/c she love's it while Mom and Dad work.

Loved every minute of it!!

I just hope they don't drain you money-wise b/c adoption is now one heck of an innovative economy industry now!!

pdq67

we will keep you all in my prayers..

It sure is nice to see unselfish, responsible folks like you and your wife--you both will change Tess's life and give her a shot at something good.

I wish you and the wife all the luck on the process. I see alot of "unstable" family activity in my job and I will tell you, you are in for years of "outside inluence". It all comes down to what is best for Tess AND your family. I have a good friend (JF) who, along with his wife did the same thing 15 years ago with two girls. As of today, both girls are happy, healthy, and well cared for, not to mention having been raised in a family healthy environment. The future headaches may well pay for itself when Tess is older and knows what you did for her. Hope all goes well.

Best of luck, they are both beautiful girls. I hope all works out for you and Tess. Where does Tess's biological father fit into this situation? You know what you're dealing with the mom's family, but what about Dad and his family? Hope they don't throw a monkey wrench in your plans. You are to be commended for taking this situation on for Tess's sake. I pray all works out for everyone.

Our prayers are with you as you and your wife make this very large decision. Only as you look back years later will you see the real impact of your decision. Remember, nothing is impossible!

Best of luck, they are both beautiful girls. I hope all works out for you and Tess. Where does Tess's biological father fit into this situation? You know what you're dealing with the mom's family, but what about Dad and his family? Hope they don't throw a monkey wrench in your plans. You are to be commended for taking this situation on for Tess's sake. I pray all works out for everyone.

The Dad is unknown right now. I think Tess's mom know's who he is but is not talking. At one point in time she told us she did not know who he was, another time she told us she knew who he was and that he was on work release at the time of conception but is now back in jail full time. The whole family resides in WV and in WV if the father dose not make himself known within the first six months of the babies life he forfits all rights. However, in Maryland where we live, we will have to run ads in our local paper and one in a WV paper advising of the pending adoption. Whoever he is, he has not shown himself during the nine months she was pregnet and the first year of Tess's life, our lawyer thinks he would have a hard time laying any claim. We'll find out tomrrow how much this is going to cost, hope I don't have to sell the '68 to cover it. Phil