discouraged, but still praying for the best

Last night we received this information from our caseworker regarding the search for the birthmom and birthgrandmother.

"Zulma wants to search for at least another week or two. Micaiah is a little angel! I know you are suffering and are worried too but thank God we have never lost a birthmother yet. The attorney is committed to doing everything possible to locate her so for now we need to stay the course." Zulma is very diligent and is intent on finding Micaiah's birth family. Zulma truly cares for these children and believes strongly in uniting them with their new family. I know this time is extremely difficult and upsetting for you. If Zulma feels we need to search for several more weeks then that is what we will do. Of course I will call you the moment there is any news.

Although we have not had a chance to speak with Aimee, our caseworker, we are guessing that searching for Micaiah's birthmother for the next two weeks or so is the best thing for Micaiah. I inserted a brief paragraph below describing what an abandonement case looks like. If this time period of 6 months to 2 years is accurate, we are thankful they are willing to really search rather than just give up and declare an abandonement case.

Abandonment adoptions occur when a child has been abandoned by his/her biological family or when parental rights have been terminated due to neglect or abuse. In abandonment adoptions, a minors’ court judge is charged with determining whether the child truly is abandoned, which can take from 6 months to more than two years. The court conducts an extensive search for family members who may wish to accept custody of the child. If family members are not located, or are unable or unwilling to assume the child’s care, the judge issues a Certificate of Abandonment (COA). After a COA is issued, an abandonment adoption proceeds through most of the same steps as a relinquishment adoption.

We are overwhelmed by this process and we would appreciate your prayers. If Micaiah's case becomes an abandonement case we will have to make some major decisions about our adoption.