Adoption Day - May 10, 2017

Our adoption was finalized in Dallas Co so we had to get on the road early as we knew traffic would be a problem. Getting on I-35 is something we typically avoid but we were more than thrilled to make the southbound trek at 6:45am.  

The boys were in their Sunday best, dress pants, teal shirts and black ties. Henry was so proud to match Ruby's teal tulle dress. He said she looked like a princess. She was super cranky that morning as we had a late baseball game the night before and an early wake up call that morning. She wasn't happy and she was certainly acting like a "princess."

We made it to the courthouse about 7:50am, just enough time to get everyone unloaded and all ready.  We met our agency worker in the parking lot with big smiles.  Not only is adoption a very happy time for families, it's also the end of A LOT of work for the workers and family. I'd rather have paper cuts than labor pains! :)

After going through security and the metal detector, we found our family as well as our photographer, Megan Eidson with Blush Little Baby photography.  Some of us went in one elevator while the majority of our family went into another. Well they got stuck! Like couldn't move. I was already wound up with excitement but being stuck in an elevator is one of my biggest fears, I wouldn't have handled that gracefully.  The rest of our party finally made it to the third floor just as we found our attorney.  She told us it would be a bit until we were called so we patiently waited. 

And waited. 

And waited. 

An hour later, we were finally next in line. I thought I would be nervous. This was a HUGE commitment, not mention having all of our family there beside us. And we would be in front of the judge, that's a position that always makes me feel intimidated anyway.  But surprisingly, I was calm. Well about to explode from happiness, but I was composed.

We walked into the courtroom and I heard the bailiff tell everyone who was party to the case to come to the bench so everyone followed.  The attorney previously told us that whoever was the more composed of the two of us should be the one to answer her questions before the judge. Obviously I was out on that. Mike was VOLUNTEERED to do this.  I felt that it was only fair after all the paperwork and project management I did to get us to this day. Ha! 

Mike and I were sworn in - very surreal.  Henry was still and quiet, smile pasted on his face. He was in awe of the courtroom and the judge.  Ruby wasn't amused by any of this and acted like a maniac just as soon as we walked up to the bench. Missing all that sleep the night before was catching up to her. She was pacified with Laura's iPhone and me jostling and swinging her to keep her quiet. It was a special day, but she's still her. She's a true honey badger.  Honey badger don't care. 

I held it together nicely until I was asked if I was committed to loving, providing for and raising this child. My voice cracked and with a huge smile on my face and all the blood in my cheeks, I said "yes." I heard sniffling coming from behind me. Apparently the people there to give us support are softies, too!  It was incredibly sweet and having them there was amazing.   

It was official just as soon as the judge signed the documents and after lots of pictures, hugs and happy tears, we were on our way to celebrate our amazing blessing, our daughter, our Ruby Joy Holland!