Today was a special day in our household. It was Mercy and Odesco's official Readoption Day! The Kachs also filed their paperwork simultaneously and the Surrogate's office honored our request to be processed together. So today, both of our families celebrated yet another evidence of God's faithfulness to us together--what a gift! In our state, even though they are 'officially' adopted, we have to go through another step to have US birth certificates issued and their names officially changed. It also insures that legally, they receive all of the same benefits of our other children. Because of the help of another family who went through this process on their own, we were able to independently complete all of the paperwork without the need of a lawyer and we saved oodles of money this way. It was intimidating, but in the end, totally doable. In the next few weeks we will file for citizenship for both children and then all of our legal adoption related stuff will be completed--woo-hoo!! Today, we spent quite a bit of time standing in a crowded hallway with loads of others awaiting appointments in family court. There were a few other adoptive families there and sadly, I think we were the only ones there for happy reasons. The judge was a wonderfully kind African American man who loves adoption and considers it an honor to preside over these hearings as typically he is dealing with divorce, murder, juvenile delinquents,custody battles, and other sad scenarios. He allowed us to move freely around his court room to get the best video and pictures as we were able, he posed for pictures ,and even asked that we send him a copy . The actual hearing was a series of questions insuring that we understand our commitment to our children and that we are able to financially care for them. After he pronounced his judgment that it was in the best interest of our children and us as parents for them to remain in our care, we cheered and applauded. How kind of the Lord to make this day so special for all of us. After the hearing, we headed back to our house and continued our celebration with the Kachs by sharing a meal and ice cream sundaes! I still stand in awe of all the details the Lord brought into place as both of our families adopted from Liberia at the same time. What a blessing it is for our adopted children to share this bond and to have so many shared memories regarding their lives in Liberia and their new lives here in America.I must admit, we have had some 'behaviorally challenging' days lately and what a timely reminder it was for me to recognize once again the great cost at which He adopted me into His family.
~So grateful today for the miracle of adoption!
With a full heart!!
MamaB
Today might be Readoption Day but Mercy was remembering her Liberian roots this morning as she demonstrated how she often toted things on her head!
Odesco all dappered up for the big day!!
Mercy and Felicia during our long wait in the hallway ... decked out in their matching coats and matching smiles :)
Big sisters J and G just hanging out with Mercy and Felicia ...Felicia looks like she's had enough of this waiting stuff!
Thankfully, J packed a book which kept the kids contained for a few minutes!
Finally! 1 hour after our scheduled hearing time we met with the judge. The Kachs and the rest of our family are sitting in the area right behind us.
The Kachs during their hearing with Jenkins and Felicia~
Mercy -hanging out with P and just taking it all in during the Kach's hearing~
The long awaited visit to 'the courtyard' is here at last...that was how Mercy and Odesco referred to Readoption Day over these past few months :)
The Kach crew~
The whole gang! And, no..L did not get glasses-he was being goofy and snatched Daddy's specs for the picture!
The highlight of the day: Ice cream Sundaes!!! Nice face, P!
Mmm good!
Sweet Buddies :)!
I love this picture--they both have the same eyes! This is my step sister who is a missionary in Honduras(with her hubby and 4 children)...she flew in(solo) to surprise her Dad. I missed the great unveiling but her siblings put her in a large box and she popped out! My family was blessed to have a day with Aunt Cindy during her time in the states:)
Mimi and Pop-Pop enjoying their first look at the scrapbook~
A captive audience listening to Pop-Pop's stories... 
Pop-Pop and Uncle Doug
Blow,Pop-Pop, Blow!!
One of the things many of the kiddos mentioned was their appreciation for Pop-Pop's love of ice cream...whenever Pop-Pop visits there is sure to be ice cream for dessert! Doug loaned him his very own prized ice cream bowl for the occasion :)
