All of this.

I'm sure there will be some tough challenges ahead for all of you but have no doubt that you have the strength and fortitude to see them through.

Good luck to you all x

I'm so pleased that the girls are now safe and will be getting the help they need.

+1

It may be a long road ahead to full recovery for the girls, but with you two guiding them I'm sure they will get sorted out and be happy lasses again soon.

So glad and happy for all of you.

It's been a long time since I updated this thread, today I can do that:
After a long and hard year we have had a positive result in the NSW Children's Court yesterday. We are now full time carers for our beautiful granddaughters. Setback after setback with lies and deceit entered as sworn truths, justice for the girls has been very hard fought. Way back in February FaCS withdrew any prospect of restoration to the parents, there's a multitude of reasons but they don't matter now. I didn't want to prejudice any outcome with a slip of the tongue on here.
The girls have come on leaps and bounds and are thriving in their new school. One is an avid reader and often goes to the nursing home where Deb works to read to the residents. The other is a sports nut that takes part in everything she can: Last Thursday their regular swim classes, Friday we had an inter schools comp that both attended, Saturday we went to the races and Sunday was the Pomona King of the Mountain in which primary school kids compete in a relay 4X700m. Their team came in a respectable 15th out of 38. Where/how we find the time to do all these activities I don't know.
Work is taking a bit of a back seat [for me] as they now catch the bus at 07:50 so it limits my work time. I now work my business around their schooling, more private work and no builders with rigid schedules. We're all slowly coming to terms with the situation we've found ourselves in and the kids are a bit more relaxed. Our social life is a bit more geared around camping and kid activities though we still meet up with our mates in the city occasionally for a few drinks or footy/cricket/rugby. The girls love T20, the Broncos and also The Titans after they stayed in the same hotel and had breakfast with the players, I'm going to have to watch them as they were swooning at the Jarrods, Wallace & Hayne especially when he asked her if she wanted bacon in the breakfast queue.
The dog and I have developed an unspoken system where when the volume of playing, quarrelling siblings or preteen music reaches that point he looks at me I nod and we go for a long quiet walk, even he's adapted well lol.
Life is good for us all, long may it stay that way.

Been meaning to message you. So good to hear they're settling and you're all finding the best way forward. I can't imagine it's easy, you must be having nightmare occasions but every photo I've seen they look relaxed and happy so you're doing something right.

You must have read my mind...over the weekend I was wondering how things were going in the 'grumpy old man's' house.

Really excellent update. It is wonderful that you have been able to give the girls a loving, stable home to thrive in. They are very lucky to have you both.

Sounds like things are going well, so pleased for you all

Love the comment about the dog

So great to hear that things have settled down so well, very, very happy for you all.

Rosemary

Very pleased to hear all is going well with all of you.

So pleased to hear this.

Wonderful news, cresta. I often think of you and the mrs. and the girls. I have yet another friend our age who was made guardian of her grandson because daughter's lifestyle is detrimental to the health and well being of her grandson.

That's great news for you all. I'm happy that you are providing the love and stability the girls need.

Excellent news. Lovely to have a happy ending :-)

Good one all round & thanks for updating us all.

So good to hear that positive update! The girls are so lucky to have you!