Our blog received a sudden face lift yesterday, when we came to the shocking realization that some people from our childrens’ biological family, people who are not safe, had taken very inappropriate steps to re-establish contact with our children.
We acted immediately to protect our family and our property. In addition, we are assuming that, if these people know our full names, they can find our blog easily enough. So, as of yesterday, details about our children and family life were removed from public viewing on our blog.
We will use facebook for sharing photos and stories of our family. I am sorry that we can no longer share the beauty of our childrens’ smiles and the wonderful news about God’s work in making us a family of love.
Please pray for us. We, especially Devin, are under considerable stress during this time, and, while we trust deeply in the Providence of our Heavenly Father, we want to take every precaution to keep our family safe. St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family, pray for us. Saint Michael, stand guard at our front door.
will miss your littles’ faces but am glad you’re keeping everyone safe…
blessings and prayers!
So sorry you’re dealing with this. Sending up prayers for your family!
I’m SO sorry you are dealing with this! I’ve had other friends who have had privacy issues before. I don’t have a facebook account so I won’t be able to see updates, but please know I’ll still think about and pray for your family…and will gladly accept emails with pix
. And of course I’ll still visit this blog!
I thought perhaps there was some need for added security. I’ll miss your little ones’ faces and stories, but their safety certainly comes first.
Wish you didn’t have to deal with this. I’ll be keeping all of you in prayer and wishing you the best.
Sue
I’m so sorry to hear that.
The stories about the kiddos were the reason I originally found your blog. It has been a blessing to see your family grow. As another reader said, I’m not on facebook, but I’ll continue to check in here to be inspired to live out our faith and share it with others.
Wow, I am so sorry for what you’re doing through. What a shame. I pray that your family’s privacy will be restored.
I am so sorry to hear that, Katie and Devin. You have made a good decision, and are doing a good job of protecting your family. Good luck!
BIG SAD FACE – I will miss the pictures so very much! I guess this will cause me to want to check my FB account more often! Honestly, I did wonder about “them” finding the blog, so I do understand your need to do this.
We, regrettable, had to cancel or plans to head east this fall. The cost was going to be too high. We will head up to Denver instead towards the end of September. Do you have plans to be in either NM or CO anytime in the near future?
Oh, I also have a wonderful anniversary suggestion for you. I think, Devin, that you should take Katie to Rome for your anniversary! (Did I mention U2 is performing in Rome on October 8th?) Of course, Chris said he thinks he could find better things to do in Rome, but, you know, while you’re there…
I am still waiting for an Albuquerque or El Paso date to be added. Although I am contemplating a trip to Denver next May by PURE coincidence!
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We are still recalibrating to this new reality but are doing well. Amy, I’ll get back to you via email or facebook.
God bless!
That is so sad but I’m glad you discovered there was a problem. I will pray for your family!
Would you be willing to let me know how they found out your name? I don’t want this to happen to us! You could email me privately. (I can give you references if that is a problem. We know some of the same people.) Thanks!
Dear Jeanne,
I’d be happy to share the story with you, so that you can help keep your family safe, too. From what we understand, the children’s bio family hired a private investigator last spring to find us. We are not sure how the PI found us, though we surmise that he rifled through the court dockets from the twins’ foster hearings, which are public record, and saw our names. The bio family knew that my name was “Katie”, and when they saw a “Catherine Rose” on the docket, they must have realized that “Rose” was our last name.
That’s all the information we have so far. At this point, the bio family has not returned to our home for a surprise visit, though we keep looking out the front windows in expectation of their arrival. We now await a formal letter from them, requesting some sort of correspondence with us, and from there we will proceed with deciding who, what, when, where, and why they can visit the children.
Blessings upon you and your family!
Katie,
I have brought this up with our lawyer and adoption worker. They both claim it is impossible for anyone to have access to the court papers from the foster hearings. If this is not true, would you please let me know how this can happen.
Thank you for your help,
Jeanne
So sorry – hear of this – I will certainly miss seeing and hearing about those precious little souls. Will keep you and your family in my prayers.
BTW – my confirmation word is musladd – which I read as “muscle add.” Just what’s needed in your efforts to protect your family.
Will be thinking about and praying for you all.
I’ve been out of touch with your blog through the month of August. What a shock to come back and find this. I’m so sorry you had such a scare. I’ll miss the family blog posts.
Thanks Melanie–we’re adjusting to the new reality, too. God bless!
Dear Jeanne,
I am no legal expert, so can’t contradict your attorney’s words, but our caseworker told us that foster hearings dockets were public record in Texas.
Otherwise, I have no idea how they would have found us, since they never knew the children’s adopted names, nor my last name.
I hope you and your family are well.
Bless you,
Katie