Drumrolllllll please!!!! 🥁
we got our boy back!!!
You guys!!!!! I......gottttt himmm backkkk!!!!! This day felt like a million years in the waiting! When the judge ruled on the case, it took a few moments to sink in. I sat there in awe, blinking like...did I just hear what I think I heard? I almost pinched myself.
To start off before I get to the good part, we had our last trial call on July 7th. Hours before I am presented, yet again with an offer from the "dog sitter", the woman that has withheld my floofy boy for the past 18 months, to PURCHASE my boy from me!! We also found out, that her attorney withdrew as her council; for reasons I do not know why, which was presented at trial call! I can only assume between the fact that I had a multitude of evidence against her, and she had nothing to support her all-over-the-place claims, and now not having any legal representation, she knew things weren't going to go the way she hoped. (The crazy part, is I had a dream months prior that her lawyer withdrew from the case!)
The night before trial, we went to the local PetSmart to get Atlas a new harness, travel bowls, travel kennel, some treats, food, and his favorite toys. We went out for a small dinner as a pre-celebration, since I knew we were going to get him back, and that we wouldn't be leaving his side anytime soon, if ever again. We went to one of my favorites, Olive Garden, and chit chatted with our super nice server about our reason for being in Anchorage. She, like everyone was floored as we talked, and wished us luck that all would go in our favor.
We went back to our room at Turnagain view lodge, and had the hardest time sleeping. The rooms are above their bar, so it was pretty loud and difficult to sleep, plus my nerves and excitement were all over the place. My mind was reeling in wonder of how I would be able to look at her without laughing at her untruths, or look at her in pure disgust, since I have spent the last 18 months hating this person. So I prayed. I asked God for help, since I knew I couldn't do it on my own. I don't want to make this post longer than it already is, so I'll save that experience for another day. I ended up peacefully drifting off to sleep, looking forward for what is to come.
So here is how the morning went.
Despite my sleep deprivation, travel exhaustion, and the mental and emotional depletion that was felt this past 18 month, we woke up dark and early, at 4 am. We got ready as quickly as possible, fighting through the jitters of excitement and nervousness, so that we could meet with my lawyer prior to our trial. At our meeting, he walked us through how court would go, and what to expect, since this was my first time going to court. Afterwards, we had about an hour to kill before trial, so we got some snacks and patiently waited.
onto the good part!
There was a slight chill in the air, as a result of an earlier down pouring of rain. We quickly made our way into the courtroom, my chest pounding with anticipation and excitement. If I could have ran into that room I would have, but I don't think that would been very appropriate. As we entered the room, I observed the layout. To the right was seating where a jury would be if we had one, to the left was a few seats just behind a table where I was to sit beside my lawyer. Directly to his left was a podium and microphone which separated another table where the defendant and her lawyer (if she had one) were to sit. A short distance from her table, was the witness stand, which faced the jury seating. And at the very head of the room, was a raised seating for the Honorable Judge to sit, which was placed to the right of his two court clerks. As we sat and waited for the defendant and her daughter/witness, who were unfortunately around 10 minutes late, you could hear a pin drop in the room.
She and her daughter abruptly entered the room, seeminling out of breath and under stress. As she began offering her apologies to the courts, she attempted to submit new "evidence", which was several hours past the deadline. On top of it, it was nothing more than messages between her and my ex, where she actually stated "if my children get attached to him (Atlas), I cannot and will not give him back" and a couple of my TikToks that she downloaded. (here which was after I called the police for the civil standby to retrieve Atlas and here which was a countdown to trial call with my children. She claimed in this, that I was with a "group of adults" and "I just think this shows what kind of person she is"). She also submitted a receipt, dated January 31st, containing the shots he received as well as his MICROCHIP! This goes entirely against her claims to the police the night that we did the police civil standby, where she stated to them, that Atlas was given to her, and that he was ALREADY microchipped and registered in her name. I plan to request the call record from that night as verification. As she claimed in court, that her statement to the police was she had PLANNED to get him microchipped and registered.
Eric sat just behind me for the time being, before he was told, along with the defendants witness, to wait in the lobby until it was their turn to testify. I sat there, beside my lawyer, as we listened to her excuses as to why she was under-prepared and her claims as to why she thinks Atlas belongs with her. They were brought back in separately to testify, as well as the phone in witnesses. She had 3 others, I had 1 other; my ex that had entrusted her care of my boy. I got emotional during Eric's testimony. He was asked how Atlas being withheld from me for long had affected me and my children. He spoke of Dustin, my late husband, and how not having Atlas there, made the days of us missing their dad, that much harder. He spoke of the anxiety, stress and sleepless nights.
Our time slot for court was 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, however the judge decided to end it early at around 12pm.
Which I was glad for. The merry-go-round of unorganized chatter, and ill prepared statements to the courts by the defendant had my head hurting. She attempted to insult me and anger me with statements such as, "Atlas knows who is momma is" referring to herself, make remarks about my parenting, and making defamatory statements against my character. I was at peace from my prayer the night before trial, and such comments and accusations had no effect on my mood, my demeanor, or my heart.
The judge ordered for Eric to pick Atlas up at 5:30 that evening. Not knowing how emotions would be with her being ordered to release Atlas back to his rightful family, I had to wait in a nearby parking lot. So I chose Starbucks and impatiently waited for a half hour before Eric pulled up. Because of this transfer, I didn't get the reunion I had been dreaming of, but that's ok. I'm just glad to have him back. He definitely remembers me, but he's kind of holding a little grudge right now.
I can't wait to get him back to the kiddos to reunite!
Here are a few pics from our first two days back together ♥️
Have a blessed day!
XOXO {AImee} 😘
