Finalized!!

We had our adoption finalization yesterday, and even though we were almost late because the directions we had were wrong, we got there just in time and it was WONDERFUL! The judge was so friendly and we could tell he really enjoyed finalizing adoptions. We didn't realize that we'd have to testify, and I was asked to go first, which was a little nervewracking! The questions were simple and straightforward, though, and they were easy to answer. The attorney just asked things about if we understood that this would be a permanent situation and we couldn't change our minds when Devin turned 16 or whatever (of course we understand that!), and he asked a lot of questions to make sure our entire adoption process thus far was legal and there was nothing suspicious. He also asked if we accepted Devin as our child and if we understood that the adoption would mean he was entitled to the same rights and privileges as a "natural child" would be (I hate that term--he is very much our natural child, he just so happens not to be our biological child). Of course we understand that and don't think twice about treating him any differently just because he was adopted! The questions he asked were routine questions that everyone has to answer, and many of them seemed kind of silly, but we understood that it was just a part of the finalization to make sure we understood everything and it was all done legally.

When it was Tye's turn to testify, he got off easily. The attorney just asked him if he heard all of my answers and if his answers would be essentially the same. Tye said yes, and that was the end of it. He said he was glad he didn't have to talk much, though, because he was so nervous he was afraid he's say something wrong! I've seen Tye try to talk when he's nervous, and I'm glad he didn't have to answer any questions, too. :)

Devin was happy and drooly (I don't think that's a word but that's okay) like usual, and I was fighting tears the whole time while Tye was just beaming from ear to ear because he was so excited, and his excitement lasted the entire day! Of course, I was excited, too, but it was just such an emotional day and a wonderful event.

We are so blessed and so grateful to the Lord for giving us guidance and strength throughout this whole process and for bringing us together with Devin's birthparents and with Devin himself. We are also so appreciative of Devin's birthparents for the choice they made that allowed us to become a family. Finally, we are so grateful to our families for their unconditional love and support, which we always know is there but is so evident in times like last night. We invited our siblings, parents, and grandparents to dinner to celebrate the finalization and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them showed up, no questions asked. God is so awesome and his blessings are abundant, and we are just so thankful to Him!