Court update...

We went to court today. My mom told the judge that she had an attorney but that they could not make it today. So the judge gave us a 45 day continuance so that they could appoint the children an attorney and my mom and her attorney could get their case together. This is good for us because now the little one's dad can come and say he wants them to stay with us. He is in jail right now but is scheduled to be released on December 1st. I haven't always gotten along with him but right now he is clean and sober. He is also going to AA, taking parenting classes, and working a full time job. So I can't knock him for trying to turn his life around. My attorney also asked the judge to order a hair follicle drug test by 5:00 pm on Friday. I don't know exactly how long it can test back to see any drug use but from what I understand it goes a ways back. My mom is allowed supervised visitation on Sunday evenings and supervised phone calls three nights a week.

We go back to court on January 7th at 1:30 pm. My little sister is starting to have a hard time not being around my mom. So we just keep talking to her and praying with her to help her through things. I also have the two littlest ones in counseling so that will help. Now we just have to get through Christmas now.

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

Love you all!
Brandi

Update...Prayer request

Well we go to court this Thursday to determine if we get to keep the kids permanent or they go back to my mom's. I have incredible peace about the whole situation. Sunday morning during praise and worship I got on my knees, cried and gave it all over to God! My main concern is that Ryan, the 17 year old, might have to get up and testify against our mom. I know this is going to be a very hard thing for him. When ever my mom calls she never asked about him, never wants to talk to him and the one time she came over to see them everything he did was wrong and she was very condescending with him. I am very angry at her for what she is putting him through. He turns 18 in about 3 weeks and IS GRADUATING this May no matter what it takes!!!!!!!!!

So this Thursday morning around 9:30 am please say a little prayer for us as we head to court.

Thanks and love you all!

Brandi

Questions???

Growing up no child in their right mind thinks "one day I want to go to court and try and prove my mom is an unfit parent..." Well this is where I am now. As of last Tuesday my sister, my husband, and myself became the emergency temporary guardians of my three youngest siblings (17, 9, & 6). We go back to court on November 20 at 9:30 am to see if we can determine permanency. Its not that I doubt that my mother loves her kids but she needs some serious help. There are two different dads to the kids, Ryan's (17) dad says as long as Ryan is happy he is fine with him living with me, and Megan's (9) and Jason's (6) dad is in jail until December 1 but says he wants to kids to remain with me. So this is good news. Have I mention how wonderful my husband has been...the night we got the kids he rushed to the store and got "kid" groceries and brought home pizza for them to eat, picked up the kids early and got them hair cuts, and has stepped right up in preparing the house to keep the kids here as long as we need. All I can do is pray that everything goes God's way. I know that if my mom gets the kids back that I will never be able to see them again.

My mom is very spiteful and vindictive she says things just to hurt you. When she found out that I had been granted guardianship she told me that Heather, my sister, and I were no longer her daughters, that I couldn't have children of my own so I was taking hers, and last but not least when she kills herself it would be on my head. Lovely things for a "mother" to say to her oldest child.

Okay enough ranting...the kids are doing great and we are getting into a better routine each day. I love these kids more than anything and can't stand the thought of losing them forever. So please just pray that everything works out according to God's plans.

Thanks,

Brandi

More weight and vacation

Well it has been awhile since I have posted...I have now lost 32lbs. and counting! I am really starting to tell a difference in my clothes and face. My self esteem goes up with every pound I lose. My husband tells me everyday how great I am looking and that helps a lot. He is so sweet. Last night when I got home from work he had a dozen red roses waiting on me. He said there was one for everyday we have until our vacation...We are going to Disney World again...We LOVE it there. We are taking my little brother for his senior trip. We can't wait!

On another note I have been taking a night class twice a week for drafting...I have really enjoyed it...I took my final tonight and got an A so I got an A in the class. Yea me! I start my next class next Wed. Hopefully I will be able to get a job in this field soon! I am praying that God will just keep bringing my name to their remembrance and want to hire me! Hope all is well with everyone!

God Bless!
Brandi

Time to kick it in gear!!

Well I am now down 21.5 pounds!! and down a size in clothes. Everything is going great! We are going on vacation in September and now I have to kick in gear to look and feel good on vacation! Until next time...

16lbs gone...lots more to go

I am so excited I have lost 16lbs. since April 17th! I have a long way to go but this is a great start! Hopefully when I reach this goal I will be able to get pregnant! Weight is something I have struggled with my whole life and I am determined to finally get to a healthy weight the right way. I know with God by my side I can and will do this.