More Progress

We received a call today that the birth father's rights are terminated! Although it is tough to think that this man has no clue he even has a daughter,we couldn't be happier that we are one step closer to Kenna being forever our little peanut!!

Here is the little bit of information we have as to the next steps -

Our attorney is getting in touch with the Tribes Social Services. This will help her to understand more of what is needed from us in order to file for finalization of Kenna's adoption.

According to Tribal Laws, once the petition is filed, the adoption should be final within 90 days.

Please be in prayer for these specific requests:
1. Finances - we need for the tribe to accept our homestudy and not require us to have another one done - this is about $1500.
2. We need to raise an additional $2500 for travel expenses - and thankfully we only have to go to Phoenix one time!!
3. For the judge to grant the adoption and all to run VERY smoothly!

Progress

We received notification that on Feb. 27th the petition was filed to terminate the birth father's rights. Great news for us! We will have possibly 2 more weeks before a judge will sign the petition. Everything has been done, so we see no reason for this not to be signed.

After the petition is signed, our attorney will file a motion in Tribal Court for the finalization of Kenna's adoption - our LAST step! (however there may be multiple parts to this last step - we will be treading into unknown territory with the Tribe)

As always thanks so very much for your prayers! They are what keep us going:)

The BIRTHDAY Girl

Kenna is one! So hard to believe - she had much fun at her birthday party and she was Dedicated at Church on her Birthday!

She weights 16lbs 15oz and is 28 1/2 inches long! Still our little peanut:)

Enjoy some fun pictures of our Precious Little Peanut:)

Attorney Hired!!

After 4 months of trying to get things worked out...our 5th and final attorney has FINALLY been paid! She has begun working on our case! We will keep you updated. Our desire to have her finalized before her first birthday won't happen, but that won't keep us from celebrating this weekend her FIRST BIRTHDAY:)

Check back for some cute birthday pictures!

11 months old

It's hard to believe that Kenna is 11 months old now! We are in the beginning stages of planning a first birthday party! She is such a joy! She is trying to stand on her own, she talks up a storm and is just a calm, happy little girl.

Kayla is 7 now and loving her role as big sister still! Once Kenna starts walking, this may change! She's doing well in school, but prefers to be home with mommy! I love that she is my girl still!

Clarity

So today we had a conference call with Jay and Dorothy. Here is where things stand -

1. Diana Montgomery will now be handling the remainder of our adoption.
2. She will file with Gila County the petition to terminate the birthfather's rights.
3. Once the paperwork is submitted it will take at least 20 days possibly(probably) longer for it to be signed and official.
4. When the rights are terminated, Diana will file for our adoption to be finalized. This is an unknown area - we don't know what the judge will want from us. We were told that he would probably want an updated homestudy (more money for us to spend) and possibly more. It is all unknown, so we will just play it by hear and pray that it isn't costly for us to finalize.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Diana Montgomery's wisdom as she prepares paperwork and works with the State Court and Tribal Court.
2. For her to be able to process our petition's quickly
3. The judge would not want to notify the Northern Cheyenne Tribe
   
4. We will only need to travel to Phoenix on one occassion
5. For our finances.

We are so thankful for all of your prayers! We are getting closer!

Frustration

Yesterday we had a conference call with our prayerfully final attorney, Diana Montgomery. She has all the paperwork ready to have the birth father's rights terminated, yet the agency has not sent her the retainer fee. This was supposed to have been done almost 3 months ago! The agency has not returned any of my phone calls, so we continue to sit and wait.