June 13, 2013 - Adoption Day

Aw, the long awaited day. The morning was like every other morning, Matt went to work, the kids and I did chores around the house and the neighbor kids came out to play. However there was that underlying feeling that everyone had, today was special.

I put Avery down for her nap early (who schedules toddler adoptions at 2:00pm anyway?). After lunch  I woke her with enough time to dress her, do her hair and pile the kids in the car. We were told to be 20 minutes early so we got there right about 1:40pm. Memories flooded back as we pulled into the parking lot. The last time we'd been there was 2008 when we adopted Aliyah. I started tearing up but fought it off.

We parked, unloaded the kids and walked towards the courthouse. After going through security we spotted our county social worker. Soon after, our Angels social worker, Jennifer, and our CASA worker, Terryl, walked in. Jennifer brought balloons for each of the kids.

That was a great idea as it kept them busy. There was a family before us that went if for an adoption hearing so we were waiting our turn. Nobody else was in the waiting area, it was nice to just let the kids roam.

Then they called our names.

I know this picture is a bit blurry but I love it. Brock and Avery, walking into the courtroom to have their adoption finalized.

After we were sworn in and Laurie (our county social worker shown below) announced who was present, Judge Garcia got down to business.

He announced the case in the kids legal names which for some reason took me by surprise. Seriously, I don't know why that shook me a little, it's not like this is my first time doing this. I guess they've just been Brock and Avery for so long that it was uncomfortable hearing their other names.

Judge Garcia asked us questions like:

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

and

"Any last minute regrets?"

Matt handled those questions very well. He said we've been hoping and praying for this for 22 months and we don't have any regrets. Well said!

Then the judge directed his attention to Michael and Aliyah. Asking them how they felt about having a little brother and sister. Asking them what they do for fun together. I loved Michael's answer. He said he likes to hide from them and when they find him they all laugh.

Then he asked them how they feel about sharing their mom and dad with them. They weren't sure how to answer that. I'm pretty sure they'd never thought about that before. But they managed. Both of them. They were supposed to sit up and talk in the microphone when the judge talked to them. I wished I'd have known that would happen so I could've prepped them a little. Not with answers to questions but with poise and eye contact. Oh well. They did great.

With all the balloons and wiggly children in the room it was hard to keep it too serious but Judge Garcia did try. Or at least it felt like it.

Finally he announced that he felt it was in the best interested of the children to be adopted into our family and their names will now be Brock Matthew and Avery Capri Egbert.

We signed the papers, and just like that, it was done. I've often thought since then how powerful those words were. And yet they're words, that a judge spoke, that changed our lives.

After the signing and pictures, Judge Garcia brought out a big bucket of candy and told the kids it was like Halloween and they could help themselves. And don't think our kids didn't! Hahaha it was funny.

Outside the courthouse we got to try to take pictures with kids, with candy, with candy clothes, fingers and faces. It was fun! :)

Candy necklaces

I asked the kids to give hugs, this is what we got.

Jennifer, our Angels social worker.
She offered a shoulder to cry on, love and support through it all.

Terryl, our CASA worker. She was a life saver when we felt like we needed it.
She loved the kids and took them on fun outings to be their friend.

Laurie, our county social worker.
She was with us for the last 6 months and helped with the finalizing process.

And a candid shot. Aliyah always making us laugh.

♫ "I have a family here on earth..." ♫

We were home by 3pm. It was short and sweet. We decided dinner at Olive Garden was in order. Avery loves pasta and Brock loves salad. It was, after all, their adoption day.