What can happen

I spoke with our SW today and she explained some things more in depth. The court hearing for May 3rd is to terminate parental rights. If this happens, than we will be starting the actual legal part of the adoption to make Thomas our son legally. If this happens, the visitations will stop. However, the BM has 60-days to appeal that decision to terminate her rights. Then we'd go back to court and wait for a judge to make a final decision. The SW said due to BM's history and situation, it's like a cut & dry case. She is not in any position to care for a child and has already lost 3 others to adoption.
If the rights aren't terminated on May 3rd, then BM & her attorney will gather all the evidence they can get to try to change the court decision of terminating her rights. The SW said that most of the time, this is what happens. If this happens, we will have weekly visitations for 1.5 - 2 months, when the next hearing would happen. Either way, if rights aren't terminated we're looking at July for the next court hearing.
Please focus your prayers on this court date. I believe our God is bigger than any legal system, and more powerful than any judge. I pray that the BM just agrees that he is in a good home and that she will just peacefully allow the court to terminate her rights. Please pray for us as we know what the end result will be, but we have to deal with all this other stuff meanwhile.
The SW said that the documentation (from previous cases, mom's history of "kidnapping" Thomas, etc) is 100% proof that he should be placed in permanent adoption, not long term foster care. The attorney will probably fight for BM and suggest long term foster care, which would grant BM visitations.
We are just as confused about this stuff as you probably are right now. Just know that either way Thomas will be with us. And please pray that May 3rd is the final day for BM to be involved in this picture.

**next visitation is tomorrow**