ADOPTION DAY!

"It is therefore adjudged that the male child born August 11, 2010, in Pensacola, Florida, is the legal child of his parents and is their legal heir at law. He is therefore entitled to all of the rights and privileges and subject to all of the obligations of a child born to the Petitioners. It is further adjudged that the child shall be given a new lawful name, by which he shall be known hereafter."


Today, December 22, 2011, was the best day we have had since May 27, 2011, when our precious baby boy came into home. We have had a son for almost exactly seven months - however, today, he has taken our name. And for that, we are supremely thankful. As my husband aptly said, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." And it does make one think of the awe that Mary and Joseph must have felt holding their baby in their arms for the very first time. Amazement, joy, awe, thankfulness, with a couple choked up throats and wet eyes thrown in.

We have had such a team of people praying for us, loving us, listening to us, encouraging us, and even coming to our adoption to support us. These people are the people who have made helped make our dreams come true. Without you, and a HUGE God we would not have had this day in our lives. Our God has given us the best Christmas present that I could have ever asked for. And we are blessed.

Our judge was so kind and thoughtful. He said he would even be "honored" to have his picture taken with us. Wow, that was amazing. (Especially after our last adoption experience when the judge could have cared less.) This judge has had our baby boy from the beginning in his court room. And so he knows the full story and is so happy for us that it seemed to just radiate from him. He hugged me, shook my husbands hand and made over the boys. That was so nice. He gave us the biggest blessing today signing his name to the above decree making us a forever family of four.

I have no more worries. Our baby is ours forever! Forever, wow, that is an amazingly wonderful word! I'm so beyond happy today, although a bit tired coming down from the adrenaline high :). I am thankful for my friends who drove here from California to be with us, a friend who brought all three of her kids, our friend who thought she would be adopting today, our social workers and guardians, all of those who made this journey a reality. We love you all.

And baby boy, you are loved, you are special, you have our name, and all the rights and privileges of anyone born into our family. For us, these words just make us smile. You have had our hearts for seven months, now you have our names and you are our heir. Thank you for being in our home. Thank you for being our little boy. Now not only are you a child of our heart - you are a child who bears our name!