We had a big court date today. We’ve been quite worried about it for the last several days. There was good news and bad news. The bad news was that the hearing was postponed. The good news was that it was postponed so that we could meet Carmen with a mediator and work out post-adoption visitations. If we can come to an agreement we’ll be adopting Andrea and Linda!
We’re not quite at the finish line yet, but we’re getting really close. This was fantastic news.
We make sure to fill everyone in on the insides and outsides of a family services courtroom.
For anyone who really cares. We start off talking about an 80′s song by Til Tuesday. You can see the video here. (which we found for free). Tim is a little disappointed that he didn’t already know it was an Aimee Mann song.
Stuffed animals on the wall of a court room! It somehow reminds me of “The Muppet Take Manhattan”. Where they are all singing and bobbing their heads. But really, have you pick up the paper work yet? Tim sounded a little reluctant or unsure about that. One question is: How do you “cope” with this delaying court hearings and decisions all the time, individually and as a couple? It would make me crazy.
Dear Tim and Wendy,
I listened last night (you left on such a cliff-hanger). I will certainly continue to pray for this mediation. HOW EXCITING!!
I think that at our house we would total wooses about sticking firm to a reasonable arrangement with birthmom. We would be all “SURE, come by whenever you want! JUST SIGN THE PAPERS!” I am impressed that you are setting clear boundaries prior to meeting with her.
How legally binding is the mediation in California? If she started (or returned to) inappropriate behavior after mediation and she already signed away her rights under the agreement, can this be amended later?
ON A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SUBJECT…..
My husband and I met in November of 1991. We were at an after hours party at my apartment at the U of IL, Champaign. I had a boombox and a tray of tapes. He handed me The Till Tuesday tape to play and I knew he was the one. By virtue of this conversation starter “our song” is Voices Carry.
I especially like the part when she just screams “HE SAID SHUT UP! HE SAID SHUT UP! WHY CAN’T YOU JUST KEEP IT DOWN?!”
We are still married almost 14 years later and still can’t shut up. (But we are loving every minute of it).
Hi Tim and Wendy,
Also, they have tables set up in the waiting area where volunteers sit with kids and do art while waiting for their case to be heard. The one time I had to testify it was very nerve racking. I was so scared I would say something wrong! The best advice I got was just answer the question as straightforward as possible. The court room was nothing like Judge Judy. 
When I was working for DCFS in LA county I had to go to court twice. They try to make the court room more child friendly by having the judge sit at a lower desk. The LA children’s court only hears cases involving dependency so no juvenile delinquents sharing the waiting area… well, at least not ones being charged with anything yet.
Thanks for continuing to share your life with all of us out here in cyberspace!
Take care,
Thanks for all the great information. I had a question about the angry tantrum in the workers office, how did you handle it? You left out the details of how you comforted her or worked through her anger at that moment. Thanks again,
For anyone who has been left hanging, you will be happy to know that “true dat” can be found in the Urban Dictionary as seen here: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=true%20dat
One blog I found said that, “Correct pronunciation is only possible with a Jamaican accent” as that is indeed where that saying originates.
However, is it too late to vote? I’m okay with T still using it.
Although it’s like three years later and no one proable cares…… but ……….. i’m gonna say it anyway …………
I’m pretty sure Tim’s “True Dat” was appropriate for the situation. I can’t remember WHY he said it …… but i remember thinking that it fit……. and it sort of rolled off his tongue very naturally. I thought it worked!
Anyway …………
Even though they are old ……………
I’m working my way up …………….
Thanks for an awesome podcast
Nicole