In late July, 2012, after trying to work something out with Jozie's father, I filed a Motion to Modify Custody. I asked for an expedited hearing and I got one! Can you believe it? I hardly could. The new Judge over the case, Juvenile Court Judge Rachel Jackson, set my hearing for August 8, 2012. Talk about relieved, I was so afraid it would be months before I was heard in court.
I took an attorney with me, I needed her. My emotions are almost all played out. She presented all the evidence, everyone testified. They contemplated speaking with Jozie, but never did. At the end of the hearing, the Judge stated that she would take a couple days to issue a ruling but first she had to say alittle. I am so thankful she did. She alone instilled in me that not all Judges stick together. Some do, and some stick by the law. Judge Jackson is a Judge whom in my opinion, sticks by the law.
She said that Andi Faye's father lacked credibility and it had appeared to her that the two had ganged up on me and conspired to deprive me of my children. I never expected her to ever saw that any Judge was wrong, and she didn't. She did say however that she could see that these two men had thrown out all the allegations of me having "mental problems" with no evidence to prove. She said somewhere along the line that some Judge "bought it", referring to the crap the two were selling.
She said that John's family was strange, and that alone, I was mentally cheering. NO ONE has ever called them out for being what they are. So at the end of the hearing, I was hopeful. I have always said that I'm not asking anyone to do any favors, I just need the law upheld for me. I prayed every single night for God to put Jozie where she needed to be. I called Madison Co. Juvenile Court almost daily, looking for an order. Then Monday, August 20, 2012, in the midst of craziness I was dealing with. A robbery at property we have, a separate tenant from another building actually doing the robbery, a flooded building, JPD and the Sheriff's Dept., all kindsa mess, I get the call.
My lawyer was on the other end. She asked me was I sitting down, I was. She proceeded to tell me that she had received a ruling from the Judge but not to speak of it until the court was notified. She went on and on, I was hanging on to every last word, and then she said it "The court has found that it is in the best interest of the child for a transfer of custody to occur and the mother be named primary parent".
MY WHOLE WORLD STOPPED!
Nothing could have ruined that moment for me. Amidst all the mess I was dealing with at that very second, I broke down. I got on my knees and I cried and I cried and I thanked God. I hugged everyone around me, even the guy who robbed the building I think! HAHA. I floated on up to cloud nine and I have been here ever since.
The next day, I got a call from Brenda Roden, the Madison County Juvenile Court Clerk, telling me that a ruling had been issued and I could pick up a copy when I pleased. It was official. She was coming home! God has answered my prayers. The ruling stated that on the next scheduled time I was to visit with Jozie, that she would be turned over to me for good. That was Friday. The week crawled by. Even with all the things I had to do, go check out schools, get records. All the stuff to ensure that Jozie was ready when she got home. Time crawled.
It was a Tuesday, the day after I got the news, 3 days til Jozie came home, and I was supposed to have a visit with Andi Faye. I ran into McAlisters and there she sat, my sweet Andi Faye, with her grandmother, eating lunch. I went over to her, she about choked me out. She was so happy to see me as I was her. I told her to go home and take a nap and I would see her at 3. But before I left, while Andi Faye had her arms gripped tight around my neck, I looked at Bonnie and asked her had she heard the good news. She said no, and I told her, that I had just been awarded full custody of Jozie. I wanted to add that their days were numbered and I was coming for my baby, but since Andi Faye was there, that was not appropriate. By the look on her face, I didn't have to say anything. She already knew. Tim knows too. He knows what he has done. He knows that Judge saw him and the situation for what it really is. We have court in late September and I am still on my knees praying for God to put Andi Faye where she needs to be. He will too. I know it. He would not have given me these precious angels if he did not intend on me raising them.
Thank you all so very very much for the continued support and prayers. We still need them. My work is not done. I have made a promise to God that if he helps me pull through this and keeps my babies safe that I will do everything in my power to help other families experiencing what we have.
I am a mommy again. I have always been a mother, but now, due to some major major stubbornness not to let my babies be taken from me, I am a mommy again. There are no real words to explain the feelings inside. My heart feels as if it may burst from my chest. I am so happy to have Jozie home. She has been home for about 2 weeks and it has been the best 2 weeks I have had in years. Until next time, here's a picture of Jozie 3 days after she came home to me.....we will always be this happy.
