an informed opinion

My lawyer called me this AM.  He seemed confident that we would get the paperwork and be on to the next thing we needed to do after Sept 2nd.  I told him we really need it to be completely ready on Sept 2nd since we have much more to do afterward.  So, he indicated that he would stay on top of it for us to try and make sure it is done on time. [btw: he also looked through the book and "met" our family. he said that we Proch sisters are "very pretty girls" He may have just been complimenting dad since he was looking at it with him but still it was nice to say!] He said that he thought I did very well in court by staying calm and steady and answering without getting emotional and that I said the right things.  He also said that the clerk for the judge was surprised that I was asked so few questions and were not grilled more than I was.  Apparently this judge usually asks a lot more questions and pushes more.  It seems that he usually gets his applicants pretty worked up during his proceedings.  He also said that he thinks it was a very good thing that the head social worker was not present at the proceedings because that may have been worse if he and the judge were fighting about the quality of his work etc.  I was under the impression that it was better if he was there since he wrote the report and his assistant (who was present) didn't really have anything intelligent to say about it.  Also I had spoken with him the night before and he confirmed to me that he would be there.  Interesting how that all worked out.  Also it seemed as if the assistant social worker took the scapegoat role and when the judge was done taking out his annoyance at the poor quality of work out on her, he turned to me.  It seemed like right then a gear shifted and he was done being upset.  He asked me hard questions to answer but nothing like the tone he had with her.  His style is to make you disagree with him which can be a bit intimidating because he has all the power in the room -this is very evident to all present.  For example he would say, "you have no time for children since you are both working. Isn't that right?" or "why are even bothering to continue with this when is clearly such a financial strain for you and your family?" So in response you would have to take the opposite position from what he had said, almost correcting him for misstating your position.  An interesting technique. I could feel your prayers.  I was very calm the entire time.
So don't worry BUT keep praying. We are still many miles from Garak and Hayden Brimer.