Pictures

We have had four snow days in three weeks of school. These kids will be going to school until July the way we're going. And, to make matters worse, in my new position, I don't get snow days. Just delays.

Things are going well here. Braden's diving again this year, and is doing very well. He's placed as the top diver for our school in the last several meets. He just has to work on his entry a bit...he can do any dive - doubles, triples, back doubles, but his entry doesn't look graceful. He has to point his toes and he says he just can't remember to do that! For school pictures this year, Braden thought it would be funny to wear an eye patch....here's his school picture:

Urban requested a picture of Gio....here you go. This is from Christmas....all the kids:

And, one more picture, just because he's so darn cute....here's Brighton hamming it up for the camera with Renee:

Why?

Why don't the things in my life ever run smoothly? Why am I destined to have a head full of grey hairs, bitten finger nails and an upset stomach?



After we went to court for Gio on the 20th, and the judge allowed him to come home with us, Children's Home was pissed. Well, one particular person at Children's Home, it just so happens that this person is second in charge there. She wanted Gio sent to a facility for 90 days, then she said they would take him back and we could foster him again through them. Well, the judge didn't see it that way, and allowed him to come with us right away, and be on probation. She was livid. She fired Keith (he's been working there (part-time) helping with transportation for about a year), told us that "this isn't over yet" and we have no idea what we're getting ourselves into.



Then I didn't hear anything for a while and thought it had died down. WRONG.



Gio had court again this past Tuesday, just for a check in with the judge, to see how it was going with us. She wanted reports from school and a report from us to make sure she'd made the right decision.

I got a call from Gio's DHS (Philadelphia case worker) who has known Gio for years, and is really happy he's with us. She said that the pissed off woman from The Home has been on a telephone and letter writing campaign to get Gio removed from our house and put in a placement. And, unfortunately, because of the very close working relationship that DHS and CHE have, she was able to get the higher-ups to listen to her. The DHS worker said that DHS' official stand was going to be that Gio should be sent to a bootcamp type placement out in Pittsburgh. She did say, however, that she will tell the judge that that is DHS' stand, but not hers, and she thinks his best shot is with us.



So....we go to court on Tuesday and when we're called into the courtroom, we see his regular judge isn't there....she's out sick or something and there's a master sitting in. Uhh oh. Also, there's lawyers there representing DHS. My heart sank, and so did Gio's. Anyway....the DHS attorney starts questioning the DHS worker, about DHS' stand and their recommendation. Then starts asking things about his past....it doesn't sound good. But then the attorney asks her what school Gio goes to and she couldn't think of the name (considering she has a caseload of about 100 kids, it's not surprising) and starts looking through his file. I say the name of the school, even though I wasn't addressed by the judge, and I think I'm going to get scolded (Judge Judy would have had my head), but the judge looks at me and smiles. Then the attorney starts asking me questions and he keeps rephrasing my answers, actually making them sound better. What the???? My heart is racing and I'm nervous. Poor Gio looks like he's watching a tennis match. Finally, the attorney says, "Your honor, I think the best solution would be to grant the Koch's legal guardianship of Giovany" The judge asks us how we feel about that, and Keith and I both wholeheartedly agree. Gavel banged, decision made. We are now his legal guardians.



That means no Children's Home, no DHS, no agencies at all. We can add him to our medical insurance so he can stop going to those horrible clinics, I can sign all school papers for him, if we go on vacation, I don't have to ask anyone's permission. His DHS worker was shocked. "I never expected that to happen," she said. She was so happy for all of us. There's only one downside to this...we don't get a monthly stipend now. And, while that's certainly not why we want him here, the small check each month certainly helps when you add a 15 year old boy to your household. Especially since Keith doesn't have his part-time job anymore. But, we'll figure it out.



On the way home from court, he kept saying, "thank you guys" "this has been a great day" "thank you so much" "thank you"



So, he's ours. Officially. Children's Home can kiss my white ass.

Happy New Year

Okay....here's a brief summary of what happened with Gio....we went to court, and met with his Probation Officer, who has known Gio since he's 11. She wants him to come with us, because he's been in placement after placement, but he's never been in a stable home. I have a letter written by his teacher saying the bright moments he sees from Gio when he feels secure and the differences he's seen in him since he's been with us. I also have a letter from our principal explaining the difference she saw in JJ after he came with us. The probation officer gives these letters to the judge.
We go into the hearing/trial and I'm shaking like a leaf, my hands are sweating. I can barely stand there. The judge asks why Keith and I are there, and we explain that Gio was living with us when he got arrested, but not when the incident happened. That we see a lot of potential in Gio, and would like to help him reach it. She reads the letters then addresses Gio...."Young man. These people see something in you. Your teacher sees something in you. When are you going to see something in you?" He shrugs his shoulders. She says, you have been before me four times now...FOUR TIMES. What I'm about to do is virtually unheard of, but I'm going to agree to send you home with the Koch's. I believe too, that a nuturing environment would be best for you. DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE DOWN!
He smiles from ear to ear and thanks the judge, and his PO. Two things he probably never in a million years would have imagined himself in a position to do before.
And the rest is history. The whole drive home he kept saying, "I got so lucky" "This is because of you guys" "I've never been to a court room and left before. I can't believe this."
So, hopefully he'll use this to his advantage. He's bored out of his mind here, he doesn't really know anyone. So, a kid that's used to hanging on the streets spends every night home. We've played so many games of cards it's unbelievable. But, after he adjusts, he'll be fine, I think. We have to take it one day at a time. He's completely different than JJ. Much harder. Or hardened, I should say. But, sometimes he just gives me a smile, or plops down on the sofa while I'm watching tv and I can see the happiness in his eyes.
Other than that....nothing else is new. Everyone is doing wonderfully, and I'm almost afraid to feel like nothing's wrong. It's strange.