I guess doing a “beards” post is becoming an annual November tradition here on UnrulyDude. Here’s what I said last year when I did the “Movember” post.
“David, Rick, Keon and I are all growing beards in support of Movember. We think it’s a great cause because it supports research on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health and suicide prevention. It’s day nine and I already have pretty much a full mustache and beard. Rick is also making great progress. David and Keon are struggling, but should have beards by the time the month is over. It’s kind of fun – and, I admit, nice not to have to hastle with shaving every day. I’m guessing we’ll all be glad to shave these off on December 1st 🙂”
Things have changed a bit over the course of the last year. David now has a (neatly trimmed) full beard that he wears all the time… and Keon has kept his mustache and goatee all year. Rick and I shaved our facial hair after last November but are growing them back now. Dub thinks facial hair is “kind of neat” and, of course thinks it’s perfectly normal for David and Keon now. Alex and Callum are also expressing their support for “Movember,” although we haven’t seen Cal’s progress lately because he’s off in Australia – preparing to bring Bella home. He did a post draft yesterday and I’m going to include it at the bottom of this so you guys will know how things are going “down under.”
Ben
Hey, all. It’s Callum. Bella and I are here in Melbourne – staying with my parents for the time-being until we can get travel arrangements finalized.
Our Court hearing was last Thursday in the family court judges’ chambers. Bella stayed outside with my Mum and Dad while the judge, our attorney, the child services case worker, a police officer, her “foster Mom” and I talked. The Judge read our custody petition, reviewed Bella’s birth certificate and the medical records (DNA tests), and questioned me about my citizenship, residence, health, marital status, education, employment record and income. The police officer then summarized the facts surrounding Bella’s mothers’ car accident and death. The child services case worker talked about Bella’s placement with foster parents and voiced his concerns about granting custody to what he termed “her deadbeat dad.”
Bella’s foster mother then talked about her placement in their family and stressed her feelings that her interests would be best served by living in a “forever home” with her biological parents. It was about a 20 minute discussion – after which the Judge asked to have Bella brought in. My parents brought her in and she ran over, flashed me one of her amazing smiles and gave me a big hug. The judge talked with her for a few minutes, signed the custody certificate and adjourned the hearing. Just like that. The whole thing took less than a half hour.
After that, our attorney, my mum, dad, Bella and I went for brunch and I said I was going to finalize our flight arrangements. It was then that our attorney mentioned that Bella would have to have a passport to make the trip.
WHOOPS. SHIT! I’d been so busy with everything else, it hadn’t even occurred to me that she’d have to have a passport. Anyway, long-story short, we applied for a passport with “priority processing service,” and believe we’ll have it tomorrow. If that’s the case, we’ll fly out of Melbourne on Thursday and be in Kansas City Wednesday evening (Melbourne is 17 hours ahead of KC).
The foster mom and I packed Bella’s things (she doesn’t have much at all) and I’ve already shipped them to Alex by FedEx air freight. They’ll be there before we are. The only problem now (other than the damned passport) is going to be tearing Bella away from her grandparents. They’ve never had a grandchild… and are hopelessly in love with her. She, of course hasn’t had grandparents until now – and thinks they’re wonderful. I’m guessing we can expect visitors to our new home in the near future.
So, that’s what’s happening here. During our time together, Bella and I have had a chance to get to know each other a bit and I can’t wait to get her home. We’re all looking forward to this great adventure!