it's been a year

It was the week before Thanksgiving last year that his mother took Liam away in the middle of the night without telling anyone, leaving their pets, house, and car behind. We haven't seen or heard Liam in a year.

How does he look? How is his vocabulary and what does his voice sound like? Is he happy? Is there any chance that he remembers us?

Even though I haven't updated the blog in a while, our attorneys have been busy--very busy. The Appellate Court agreed to hear our case and they also agreed to an expedited hearing (versus a year plus long drawn out process). Our brief was submitted in early November. Their brief is due in early December. Then we have 20 days to add any additional comments/response to their brief. Then all 3 of these briefs, along with the lower court's records, go before the three judges and an oral hearing is scheduled (most likely in January). After that, the Appellate Judges will make their ruling, however, how soon after the oral hearing I do not know.

Surprisingly, their attorney is still going after me for their legal expenses. I thought all of this would be put on hold but they are convinced I have a pot of gold stashed away. I wish I did and I wish we didn't have to spend any money and that all of the funds that both sides are spending were put away for Liam's future. But their stubbornness and poor judgment is costly and not rational.

Craig and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house--my parents, brother and his wife, niece and her husband, and a few friends will join us. So as we prepare for my favorite holiday, I'm grateful for our representation--a group of compassionate, smart, and dedicated people. I'm thankful for our family and friends who look forward to the day when they too can embrace Liam. Our lives move forward and while there are so many things that are good, we wait, hope, and pray that one day Liam will join us at the Thanksgiving table again.