The Adoption Journey Hits The Home Stretch

Just wanted to update everyone regarding our adoption journey.  As most of you know, we left for Hawaii on June 22^nd and the adoption hearing was June 24^th.  Well everything went well.  We were a little delayed getting into the court room (the last case of the day) but all the proceedings went well. 

 

It was just like being on TV in a court room, just that our judge was a “non sarcastic Judge Judy”.  There was the judge, her bench, the bailiff, and the court secretary off to our right.  There were flags on each side of the judge.  We had to stand and state our full names, we had to raise our right hand and swear that the testimony we were about to give was the “truth and nothing but the trust”.  After our lawyer stated her case, we were asked a bunch of questions, most about our paper work.  Then the judge officially asked us if we wanted to adopt Annalise and reminded us that this is permanent.  Then she officially terminated any other parental rights.  It was a few words that held much significance.  It was extra special when the judge said that she had read our homestudy and said that she thought we would make great parents.  So that was the “Court Hearing”.  Another step completed in the journey.

 

Thanks so much for all your prayers.  We still need your prayers for speedy processing of the remaining paperwork.  The adoption order and the new Birth Certificate are the last paperwork we need to get permanent health care and Canadian citizenship for Annalise.

 

Now we can relax at he beach for a while.  We look forward to getting home on Monday morning.