Hello and Happy Day!

Hello folks!

Wondering about me?

I'm in Medford right now visiting my sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew & mother. Katie and I drove up yesterday with her bed, dresser and clothes. We don't know yet if she will be allowed to live here, but at least she can visit for the summer.

Last Thursday the 21st was difficult day for me. I met with the court mediator and MB. I knew I would be talking about the girls and custody. Mostly, I was concerned about how the court would feel about Katie wanting to go live in Oregon with my sister. However, I wasn't prepared for the severe word lashing I would recieve from the mediator as a result of that arrangement. Not to mention that having MB sitting right there turned my emotional water faucet on and wouldn't you know it...the tissue box was empty!

The questions the mediator asked me right off the bat were badgering. He would ask me a question and then another before I could even get the first answer out. He aimed them mostly at my relationship with Katie. Well, if anybody knows us, you would know that I've had a difficult time getting her to listen to me. She has a stubborn, clear mind of her own. However, I would NOT say that Katie and I have a disfunctional mother/daughter relationship. We disagree over dumb little things but we love each other fiercely.
Now combine that with my extreme dislike for counslers and you get the wrong picture....that I would rather send my daughter away than to go through counsling. Also that it would be more convient for me to not have her around.

I was in shock and could barely speak to save my life. This is not how the situation is. Katie has been begging me for months to live with my sis. I've been resistant to the idea. It hurts me a great deal to think I can't take care of her. But finally I realized that this is the best thing for HER. My sister and her husband are great parents. They have a bedroom for her. They love her as much as me. My mom and my dad are here. The high school she would attend is amazing. My niece is her best friend. Here she can be normal...a crazy teenager.

However, it would mean breaking up the girls. That's how the court sees it. But what they don't get is that in reality, this is not seperating a family...rather, we are expanding our family. Megan and I would get to see everyone much more often.

My family has always been close. We help each other when the shit hits the fan. (excuse my language please). This is my family helping me when I need it most. This is what families do for each other. Me and my sister have a thing or two to teach Katie and Megan about what it means to be a sister.

After I blew it with mediator on Thursday, it was the girls turn yesterday (Friday). Luckily they were more prepared than I was and answered his questions with a possitive attitude. Later next week I should recieve a copy of the mediators recommandations for the judge. A hearing is set for July 5th. I expect that will be the day we will know if Katie will be allowed to live here in Medford or not.

Either way- Katie will know that I fought for her. I will do my best to allow her the freedom to make her own choice. That's all we are asking for. The freedom to choose.