This little one has been waiting for such a long time for paperwork to catch up with what our hearts knew long ago.
Paperwork is part of the process. Application, home studies, physicals, background checks, fingerprinting, USCIS approval, agency change, special needs checklists, PA, LOA, TA, adoption certificates, follow-up home studies and more. In the very beginning, that paperwork process seemed overwhelming. In reality, it turned out to be quite easy. Each signature, each paper, just a stepping stone across an ocean.
Paperwork is part of the process. Application, home studies, physicals, background checks, fingerprinting, USCIS approval, agency change, special needs checklists, PA, LOA, TA, adoption certificates, follow-up home studies and more. In the very beginning, that paperwork process seemed overwhelming. In reality, it turned out to be quite easy. Each signature, each paper, just a stepping stone across an ocean.
We fell in love with her four years ago. Long before taking that first pen to paper. We saw her face in February of 2010. We held her in our arms on August 30. Today, she was officially readopted. It took four years for the paperwork to catch up with our hearts.
Several months ago, we were assigned a judge. That judge only sees adoption cases every so...hardly ever. We were not surprised. It was a battle (through every possible extended wait) to get Claire into our arms.
Our girl had no idea what was happening today.
She was just along for the ride (and the animal crackers).
She sat almost silently (except for the sound of munching) in the courtroom.
As we waited, we witnessed three marriages end in divorce, and four people change their names (one to Jalloh, pronounced "Jay-Lo").
In that courtroom, hearts were being both united and divided.
We were the only people smiling. Love not divided, but multiplied.
Today paperwork caught up with our hearts.
We don't believe that any part of this process was a mistake.
God has done a mighty work. Not random at all. We were carried by faith, changed by a loving Father, and prepared for a little girl who needed a mommy and daddy.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8.
10 comments:
Love the court house pictures! The Judges love adoptions - they are basically the only happy thing that they get to do. They do them rarely because so few occur compared to divorces and name changes. Isn't that the saddest thing ever? With all of the children in the world needing a family, you'd think far more adoptions will occur. In our court (which is one of the busiest in KY because we only have 2 judges) there are only about 15 to 20 per year. I know the whole process was a beurocratic nightmare (can't spell), but what an incredible blessing! Congratulations to all!
What a sweet post of love! SO thankful you all were able to take care of that detail. LOVE your photos and adore your words! Makes being right in the middle of it all again seem so less stressful... look forward to having our next gifts in our arms again!!!
Blessings and love!
Congratulations! Love that you have it all finalized now.
I had to giggle at the rename of "Jalloh." I was actually thinking recently of changing my name to "Snoop Dog." What do you think? :D
What a beautiful post Rebecca! It brought tears to my eyes. God has done such a beautiful work in your family. What a blessing to see a family united together. MANY blessings to you!
Congratulations and continued blessings. Adoption is amazing life-changing experience. HUGS!!
congratulations, rebecca! we are so happy for you! we still haven't done our readoption. :/ it feels like such a formality. but this post reminds me that we should! :)
many blessings!
Hallelujah! It's official: the Radicchis are FOUR. Congratulations to all and much love. Lindsay
What a sweet little lady. Great post! Love U Claire.
Papaw
Beautiful post.... is there ever a post that you do that is NOT beautiful though?? No, not really... :) I love the little humor about the name change... I am sure you made the judge's day... and I'll bet there was another Judge that was smiling today too :) Congratulations!!! I love that picture of her sitting on the bench with a book.
You're such a beautiful family! I'm sure this was a wonderful day. I hope your other daughter's adoption is quicker!
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