Corner of Central Florida: Adoption Day!!!!

Wednesday morning we traveled to Orlando, to the very tall county courthouse.

We had not been early for the Squirm's finalization and the security line plus elevator system made us quite determined to be early for the Great's hearing. If you're not present when the judge calls you in, you've missed your chance that day.

We arrived an hour early to the parking deck....and then discovered the noise we had heard several minutes before was more involved than we had originally thought. The Great had decided that he didn't like the clothes we had dressed him in and that he wanted to have a bath-by-wipes in the front seat of the truck before trying to enter the courthouse.

Waiting....We did have a nice view from the 16th floor.

The security ladies had a lovely time searching our stroller and I even got extra special wand treatment....sometimes I wonder if my teeth implants cause issues, but at least they didn't pat down my hair (reference our local airport procedures).

The Orange County courthouse is serious about security. Their list of prohibited items is far more in depth than the TSA, including a rat tail comb (we had to google this because at first I thought maybe this was actually a comb for people who have a rat-tail hair cut).

Our caring social worker and organized lawyer.

Our social worker was early and played with the Squirms while we waited. I've grown to really appreciate our social worker during the Great's adoption. Each time I learn something new about her, I'm impressed and have even more respect for her. She believes in adoption so much that she works this 24/7 job for part time salary and works another full time job; and she is a mother.

We have been very blessed by our social workers and lawyer - they are all so excited about adoption. It is encouraging that people who are familiar with process, paperwork, fees, and obscure details of the adoption journey can be so happy and so firm in their belief that adoption is beautiful and should be celebrated.

First "official" family photo, with our judge.

We did end up having a long wait to see the judge.

We waited over an hour past our scheduled time (and we had been early) so understandably the Squirms was not in a great mood by the time she saw the inside of the courtroom.

We answered questions about our marriage, our love for the Great, and pledged to commit for life. Really, these questions can be quite emotionally moving if you don't have a restless and incredibly tired 23 month old in your lap. Movie on the ipad, sitting in mom's lap, her Little People farmer, and she had gotten up that morning at 4:30 AM. R then read our statement to the court about why we were adopting the Great. And, here is also where the Squirms threw her tantrum.

The important thing, no matter the noise coming from our adorable toddler while her little brother sat quietly in R's lap, is that He Is Ours. No more custody papers in the diaper bag, paperwork for the doctor to fill out, home study reports, or court appointments.

Forever Ours. And, We Are Forever His.

Looking so handsome and adorable and cuddly and smart and content and beautiful.

Then, it was picture and apply for birth certificate time!

We also saw a couple taking wedding photos - so nice to see such happiness in the courthouse.

Our beautiful social worker and I like green.

Later that evening lots of friends stopped by to share cake with us and celebrate.

We are so thankful for friends who pray for us, who understand how wonderful Adoption Day is, and want to celebrate with us! Our house had a hard time holding everyone who was happy about the Great's big day!