"Untold numbers of professing Christians waste their lives trying to escape the cost of love. They do not see that it is always worth it."--- John Piper








Our Beautiful Joseph!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Still Merry.... Very












Yes, we are still alive and well in Missouri!! Sorry about my shameful lack of posting! We have an OFFICIAL ADOPTION!!!! On November 18th, 2010, his real name was proclaimed by the judge and he was declared legally and forever ours...sort of. Our hired attorney did not know that the judge HAD to see the original Hague certificate (not a copy) in order to do the adoption. Therefore, after seeing the mortified looks of horror on the faces of parents and grandparents present, he agreed to go ahead and proceed, but pended it until we brought the original to him. We did our thing, took the pictures, celebrated, and then mommy and daddy beebopped it back to the courthouse with the original that afternoon.My dad wore a USA flag tie that he said he is going to put in a box and save until Joseph turns 18! How thoughtful is that??

Word to you other mommies... BRING ALL OF YOUR ORIGINAL DOCUMENTATION!! We trusted this attorney too much, I guess. We were also able to get a Social Security Number even though we were told we would have to wait until the birth certificate. The SS office said we didn't need that, so he already has a number. That means we can claim him on the taxes for this year! Hooray! Great news since EVERYTHING gets put on hold during an adoption.

All in all, this Christmas finds our family healthy, happy, official, and thankful. We are thankful for the adoption of our precious gift in Joseph. We are even more thankful for the gift of the Christ-child. Without Him, we couldn't be adopted ourselves. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

7 comments:

  1. Congrats on finalizing! A huge step! Yeah! Now once the BC comes you can apply for the COC. Always more to do! :)

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  2. Congratulations! What a satisfying feeling to have declared "official" the reality of your hearts these last months. I love those courthouse photos . . . and it sounds like you had a great judge. Whew!

    Merry Christmas to you too!
    Nancy

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  3. Congrats! What a relief to be done with all of that!!!! I need to start figuring all that part out!!!!
    Merry Christmas!
    Jenny

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  4. Laura, I have GOT to see this precious boy!! I am a sucker for Christmas jammies - Liam has like 3. Joseph looks adorable!! Please let's get together soon. Love, Julie

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  5. So glad things are still Merry. Same here for us in the bluegrass state!! We will need to get the babies together sometime...maybe a spring Dillon reunion!! Take Care,Gidget
    Maiya is home 17 months tomorrow!! WOW.
    Time sure moves.

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  6. Hooray for finalization, and an understanding judge! Thanks for the heads up about the documentation. We really appreciate that! Your Joseph is darling in his red pjs! So glad to hear you all are well and merry :) Emily

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  7. So glad you had an understanding judge and that you are now finalized. Doesn't it feel good to have this step done? Love the pictures of you all. You can see the joy all over your faces. Joseph looks adorable in his pjs, too. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

    April :-)

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