... with JOY!
It's official. Our Pumpkin's adoption is final! I'm not sure I can adequately express how elated we are. For starters, just to know it has been completed. Not that we were walking around on eggshells about it, but it is nice just to be done with paperwork and home visits, etc. But mostly our finalization hearing was absolutely amazing!
The attorney notified us about 4 weeks ago of our hearing date by phone, which was Wednesday. I really didn't think it would be any big deal, but the thoughts of it did make me nervous. An adoptive mom friend clued me in that theirs was pretty cut and dry and just took 10 minutes. We needed a notary present, so my dear friend Laney agreed to do it. I also asked the aforementioned adoptive mom, who just happens to be a photographer to come and take pictures since we wouldn't have the opportunity to be in court and take a picture with the judge. I just thought it would be a quiet private event, although in my mind, I was planning a big celebration at a later date.
On Tuesday afternoon, I received a call from the attorney who would be handling our case in court. He was so nice and asked who would be attending the hearing. I told him it would just be us, the notary and the photographer. He reminded me that we could have anyone we wanted with us and even encouraged us to get any out of town people on a conference call. The more he spoke, the more excited I became. After our call, I sprung into action. I had a party to plan!
It's official. Our Pumpkin's adoption is final! I'm not sure I can adequately express how elated we are. For starters, just to know it has been completed. Not that we were walking around on eggshells about it, but it is nice just to be done with paperwork and home visits, etc. But mostly our finalization hearing was absolutely amazing!
The attorney notified us about 4 weeks ago of our hearing date by phone, which was Wednesday. I really didn't think it would be any big deal, but the thoughts of it did make me nervous. An adoptive mom friend clued me in that theirs was pretty cut and dry and just took 10 minutes. We needed a notary present, so my dear friend Laney agreed to do it. I also asked the aforementioned adoptive mom, who just happens to be a photographer to come and take pictures since we wouldn't have the opportunity to be in court and take a picture with the judge. I just thought it would be a quiet private event, although in my mind, I was planning a big celebration at a later date.
On Tuesday afternoon, I received a call from the attorney who would be handling our case in court. He was so nice and asked who would be attending the hearing. I told him it would just be us, the notary and the photographer. He reminded me that we could have anyone we wanted with us and even encouraged us to get any out of town people on a conference call. The more he spoke, the more excited I became. After our call, I sprung into action. I had a party to plan!
We invited several close friends and family members. I also called three people and invited them to be on our conference call with the judge. (Please if you didn't get invited, don't be offended. It all happened so quickly and we were so unsure of how the logistics of the conference call would work.) We had 21 present in person and 5 listening in on the phone and all I can say is it was AMAZING!!
We called into the court at the appointed time, but they were behind schedule so they asked us to call back in 20 minutes. So we did. At that time they were just starting the case before ours. They promised to call us back in about 10 minutes. We initiated the conference call for the third time via S*kype and waited for our home phone to ring. I was a bit apprehensive about the call, but within 30 seconds I was completely at ease. The attorney had asked for a list of names of those who would be attending. I sent him the name via e-mail that morning. As soon as we got started, he started roll call and personally recognized every person in the room as well as on the phone and their relationship to us! Then they blew me away. They recognized that we were believers, stated that they were as well and asked if we would like to start in prayer! Well of course! (Actually we had prayed prior to the call, but we wanted to pray again as a part of the "official" hearing.) So our pastor lead us in prayer. Afterwards, they determined that the judge and attorney were of the same denomination as us, too. My personal favorite was when the judge said "We are never more like God than when we adopt." And he was so right - what a picture of how our Savior has adopted us!
Checking the time - ready to make the call
Judge on the phone. Friends on conference call using our laptop.
The entire process was so personable. They were careful to include Bubba in the proceedings. We laughed and joked. We were provoked to deep thought and pledged to be diligent to care for her "at least until the OMG age of 18" - (quote by the attorney.) I was on such a high when it was over. I just knew somebody was going to have to pinch me to know it was real. I am still basking in the wonder of it all. My heart rejoices that the Father saw fit to bless us with such an awesome finalization. Sharing it with our friends and family was absolutely precious. I am so thankful for the attorney prodding me to invite them. I can't imagine having that wonderful experience and not sharing it with those who love us!
So happy to be official!
Wait a minute...my last name is what?
3 comments:
Awesome~what an incredible day! Congratulations!
Happy Finalization!!!!! She is officially 100% yours.
How WONDERFUL!!!!
That sounds like it was a most special occasion and that God, being God, gave you 2 fellow believers to preside. You just need to get that quote painted on something to hang somewhere, lol.
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