Second Visit Report

This weekend, the twins and Big Sister all went on a visit together to the twins' grandparents' home. The grandparents recently came to court to ask for custody of all five siblings, as I mentioned before, and the kids were ordered to have all-weekend visits with them on the 2nd and 4th weekends until the next court date.

We were a littler nervous as to how this weekend would go, especially after how the twins reacted when they arrived back at our home on Sunday. The kids have never met these grandparents, as they are the parents of the twins' father who was estranged from them pretty soon after their birth. We also heard that they are almost exclusively Spanish-speaking, and none of the kids actually know Spanish, even though they are Hispanic as well. We hoped for the best.

And when they came home this time, it was a totally different experience. The twins were smiling and laughing and singing like "usual". Big Sister even told us she had a good time, and told us excitedly about all of the places they took them and everything they bought for them to wear, eat, or play with over the weekend.

It seems like it actually was a very good experience for everyone. Bedtime went off without a hitch or fuss from anyone. No nightmares, no tantrums. And, so far, this week has been fairly "normal".

I texted the caseworker this and our opinions on how well the kids were reacting. She agreed that it seemed to be a very good situation all around.

I then asked her what the next step was, if the home study was finished, if a definite plan had been set up yet. She told me that the home study came back positive, with no red flags. The department is ready to move them over there, we just have to figure out a day and get logistics figured out. She thought it would happen early next week. My only issue was reminding her that school starts next week, and it would be best to move the kids sooner rather than later, so Big Sister and the twins' 3-year-old sibling can get situated before the first day of school. She agreed, but said a final date still wasn't certain.

Anyways, this is a big relief to know that, even if our days are definitely numbered with these three, they are going to a place where we all feel comfortable with, at this point. I personally would much rather have them leave us to go to these grandparents, since it went so well, rather than the cousins from whose home they came.

Prayers please as we go through the transition. We have to figure out a way to discuss it with Little Guy and Miss A, so that they handle it with discretion and properly in front of the other three. Big Sister seems happier about the move, and even seems to be looking forward to it, since she got to see some old friends and schoolmates while there. We hope it all continues to be a positive rounding-up of their time here, and looking forward to what's in store next for all of us.