Custody Hearing...

[dragon_wings]

I'm happy you get to see your kids! They need both parents.

Agreed. So much.

[42_42_42]

Kara, I am so happy for you!

[kansasgal]

Congrats Kara! I know it's been weighing on your mind, and I'm glad it's over and you can move forward with your kids.

[Kara]

Thanks everyone. I looked at pictures of the kids and cried this morning. Happy tears. It's so wonderful this is really going to happen now

[MoonCat]

That's excellent! Now if only your ex would just grow up! When is she going to realize this is not all about HER? ARrghghhh!


Well anyway you're going to see your kids! YAY!

[Sonoma]

Congrats! I saw the post on FB, but couldn't get over here until tonight. Sounds like you did yourself proud in the midst of all that interrogation.

[Marmalady]

That's wonderful Kara! So happy for you!

My brother's ex tried to pull the same kind of thing (though not as bad as your ex) For years she tried to get him to drop out of his daughters life, messing the access visits about, changing days and dates, even getting the friends of her new husband to threaten him..

Now his daughter is 18, has her own place very near my brother and sees her mother very rarely. She knows what her mother tried to do and doesn't like her because of it.

[Dytchdoctir]

Yay, Kara!

May I offer my two cents worth? When the time comes for the court to issue the visitation order, do not let them use a phrase such as "liberal visitation". Insist that the court set down the visitation schedule in writing. Courts are usually so far behind in the docket that they do not want to take the time to do this. However, anything unspecific gives your ex too much wiggle room to eff with you.

Also, please insist that the judge explain to ex (in much the same manner as he shut down SNH) that she violates this court order at her peril. The judge may have told her to open her heart and mind, but based on what we've heard about her, I don't think she is going to.

Finally, if she starts to mess with your visitation, and I think she will, then document, document, document! And get thee back to court.

Good luck!

[CloserToSane]

Congratulations Kara, that's great to hear.

[blas]

Everything will come together in your favor, Kara. Good people deserve good things.

Did I ever mention how proud I am of you? You have the courage, the strength, the tenacity, that is more than admirable. You're an inspiration.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

That's wonderful news, Kara.

Time to celebrate!!! :

[Sapphire Silk]

When the time comes for the court to issue the visitation order, do not let them use a phrase such as "liberal visitation". Insist that the court set down the visitation schedule in writing. Courts are usually so far behind in the docket that they do not want to take the time to do this. However, anything unspecific gives your ex too much wiggle room to eff with you.

Also, please insist that the judge explain to ex (in much the same manner as he shut down SNH) that she violates this court order at her peril. The judge may have told her to open her heart and mind, but based on what we've heard about her, I don't think she is going to.

Finally, if she starts to mess with your visitation, and I think she will, then document, document, document! And get thee back to court.

Good luck!

This. So this. I've heard horror stories about parents who violate visitation orders.

But I'm very pleased for you, and hopeful for your reunion with your children.

Best wishes!

[thansal]

wow, just wow.

It really sounds like things keep turning around for you and it makes me ridiculously happy that you will finally be able to be part of your kids' lives again.

On a curiosity note:
What are "supervised visits", or more accurately, who supervises them? Is it supposed to be a neutral 3rd party (psychologist/representative of the courts?), or is it your ex (I shudder to think of that)?

Any way, I yet again want to wish you all the best of luck for both you and your kids!