Finalization complete

Picture #1: With judge

Picture #2: Outside courtroom

Picture #3: Night before in hotel

Our finalization was completed on April 23rd. That will forever be Abigail's "Adoption Day". We are so blessed to have her in our life and God has truly shown His faithfulness. Our arms are full of a precious gift.

Here is a short story of how last week went. As the previous post showed...we saw Abigail's birthmom on Wednesday. Then Thursday afternoon we drove to Dallas to stay in a hotel so we could be up and at the courthouse downtown by 8am. Thursday night was special because we were just enjoying our away time as a family and reflecting on the last 6 months. So much has happened!! :) Jerry was laughing at me because almost everyone we saw in the hotel and in the restaurant I was telling them why we were in Dallas. I was so excited!! and....i like to talk to people....imagine that!

Friday morning went great. Sweet baby was up and fed and ready to go by 7:15am. Mommy didn't sleep well due to anticipation and anxiety that at least 1 of the 3 alarms I set would go off on time. Heaven forbid we sleep through this very important date.

We made it to the courthouse without a traffic delay. Amazing feat right there. God parted the Dallas morning traffic just for us to make it to the courthouse, right? I think so. He can do that you know.

We went through security including the metal detectors and then we waited. Abigail was doing great. So far so good...she was awake, alert, and adorable. We met another man who was finalizing he and his wife (and baby boy's) adoption. The went through Generations as well but they live in Missouri so he made the trip by himself. Their little boy was born near Dallas 2 days after Abigail. Their story was quite different than ours. Short story....they got to take the little boy home from the hospital but had to stay in Texas for 2 weeks before the out of state paperwork was completed. They stayed in a hotel for 2 weeks with a newborn! Yikes! So...everyone's story is different but very special.

Our lawyer talked to us before we went to meet the judge. He reviewed the questions the judge would ask and told us to just say "yes" to all of them. Keep in mind our 6 month old is still awake and playful. Well, the judge was running late.....Needless to say by the time they were ready for our case our sweet little girl was asleep. At least she wasn't crying!! How would that look to the judge...unhappy child?! Praise God she wasn't crying and she was very comfortable in Daddy's arms.

I didn't get teary-eyed until we walked out and I looked at the pictures. It has been an amazing journey. I have been in awe of how much God has placed in our hands and how many people have been there to support us. Our journey will just continue and our life with Abigail has begun.

**On a Mommy note: I have been writing a lot lately. Mostly my spiritual journey but also letters to Abigail. Maybe one day I will share some with you but for now...they are going in Abigail's adoption keepsake box. **

God bless each of you every day.

love,

Jenny