So we had court today

This was by far the best court date.

The steps as i understand them:
1) A problem is discovered and investigated
2) CPS may remove child
3) DCS files short-term petition on the charges
4) Court hearing about petition to determine temp. custody until a hearing on the charges can be done
5) Permanency meeting to develop permanency plan
6) Permanency hearing (judge approves permanency plan)
7) Hearing about the initial petition (to determine if there was abuse, basically)
8) Various hearings about status of permanency plan (i.e. if plan is RU or reunification with birthparents, hearing will discuss any progress or recommended changes)
9) Petition for Termination of Parental Rights may be filed (assuming plan isn't going well)
10) TPR hearing; parents may lose rights to child and child may be placed with relative, emancipated (for older teens), or made available for adoption.

Today was supposed to be a combination of the hearing at step 4 (because it's been postponed twice before due to birthparents no-showing) and step 6. It was a new judge, or "referee", and we really like him so far. He included us much more than has ever happened before.

So as you may recall, DCS produced a concurrent permanency plan of A) reunification with birthparents and B) exit to relatives, contrary to the fact that there've been 3 previous TPR's of older siblings and no contact by the BP's or relatives, and the fact that none of the relatives can pass a background check. i had been under the impression that the person(s) who adopted D's older sibs were relatives, but now i'm not sure; i just have no idea. Anyway, with the possible exception of them, no relatives could pass background checks,, and yet this was DCS's plan.

The judge said, "So i have a permanency plan in front of me that is concurrent between RU and exit to relatives. Why the heck would i do that?" Yes, he said that. ::Hopes soar at this point::

The ultimate end result of today's "hearing" (which lasted about 10 minutes total, and half of that was someone contacting the birthfather's attorney) was postponement until July 31. July 31's court hearing will be a combination of step 4, step 6, and step 7 (basically to determine the permanency plan and to determine that there is, indeed, reason to remove the child from the parents and to confirm the allegations -- which are pretty much indisputable actually so the case should go quickly).

We left really liking the judge and really liking the Guardian Ad Litem (D's attorney, basically), who spent a few minutes after the hearing explaining the steps to us. He was very complimentary about how well we were caring for D, asked some questions about whether we have other kids, etc, and was just a nice guy.

The judge we liked because he included us in the procedings, asked if we understood what was going on, and made sure we were available on the 31st. He also had a funny exchange (apparently only Alan's name was on the paperwork in front of him, thank you DCS). He asked Alan, "Are you Mr. Lastname?" "Yes, Your Honor." "Then who are you?" (to me). "i'm Mrs. Lastname." He laughed and said, "Oh, good, there's a Mrs. Lastname. Do you have a first name?" LOL

Since it was all over by 11:30 and Alan didn't have to be at work until 1, we went out to lunch at my favorite sub shop, and then went to the tv station to introduce D to Alan's coworkers. She met some minor local celebrities! (lol here) But it was fun, and we headed home, and here i am :).

Have i mentioned lately how amazing this little girl is? She's 5 1/2 weeks, and last night she rolled over from front to back. She smiles a lot now, and she has been swatting toys for weeks and even reaches for them at times. She's hitting all the milestones and beating most of them by miles. i may be a wee bit proud!