Court Day!

COURT IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, June 10, 2011 marks the day Micah officially became our son. It was a very busy day. Since I will be bringing Micah home alone in a few weeks, and Barry is leaving tomorrow morning, we had to sign some documents at the notary and U.S. Embassy before court. Then our driver got us to court promptly at 2:55pm.

Our facilitator was waiting for us and took a few photos, then rushed us in to our hearing.

Us with our facilitator, driver, and Morgan White on court day (the Whites had to run around with us to the notary and embassy today and we were running out of time, so they tagged along to the courthouse with us).

We knew a little of what to expect because the Whites had just gone through the same court with the same judge just two days before us. However, we were still nervous. Barry had been nervous all day, but I was pretty calm right up until being walked into the courtroom. Barry asked our facilitator what we should know and she gave us some basic instructions (stand when the judge comes in, stand when you answer questions, stand when she leaves).

We were asked to tell about our home and family life, and why we wanted to adopt a child, specifically one with Down syndrome. I spoke first, then Barry spoke the remainder of the time. There were others speaking too, the social worker, the lawyer and representative for the orphanage, and the prosecutor. The lawyer/orphanage representative (she played both parts for us) described the relationship between us and Micah. She described that we came to visit every day and he knew us and knew we were there for him. She said he always ran to us with open arms and smiled. She said his condition was not an issue for us and we treated him as a typical child. I started crying. I loved that she saw what we saw. That he recognized and knew us! Nobody contended our petition, and the prosecutor did not ask one question. About 5-10 minutes later the judge returned and granted favor with our petition, naming us as Micah's parents, and officially changing his name to Micah Charles Ray.

It was a wonderful moment I will never forget. We are listed as Micah's mother and father on his birth certificate! I've known I was his mommy for 7 months, but it's legal now! Oh how I can't wait to bring that sweet boy home to the rest of his family.

To celebrate and take Rachel out to dinner for watching Annie all day, we went to TGIF's with the Whites. Barry and Annie fly home tomorrow, and I will be able to bring Micah home sometime around July 1st. I will be able to pick up the court decree on June 22nd and start the final paperwork process of getting his birth certificate, passport, and visa.

Our "court day" picture after being officially named Micah's parents.

Proudly showing off his scrapbook.


With Daddy


With Mommy


The playpen where Micah was in the first picture we had of him... now empty!


His bed at the orphanage, and showing off "Mousy"