The day finally arrived, Adoption Day!! I have been playing this day over and over in my head for 2 1/2 years. Did it go as I imagined? Of course not but it was beautiful none the less. I wouldn't have predicted that Emma was going to run up to the Bailiff and want to sit on his lap. How would I have known that Emma would have been running circles around the court room or that Myles would follow her doing the exact same thing? Or that Grady would so eloquently say to the judge that he would always love and protect his little sister. BUT those are my kids, all three of them are awesome in their own way.
I was thrilled that my mom, dad, brother, Leia, Duffy, Brian and Martha were there with us. It made the day even more special to be surrounded by family and friends. Our amazing social worker was able to celebrate the day with us as well.
People keep asking me how I feel now that Emma is officially my daughter. That's a tough question. I have always felt like she was mine, no matter how hard I tried to put up my guard at first (that lasted about a week). I have always loved her like a daughter. I have a sense of relief that has come with the signing of the adoption papers. For 2 1/2 years, I have lived with a fear that Emma would have to leave our family. That is something that I can't explain in words. What a roller coaster ride fostering can be. I would be so in love with Emma one minute, then get a call that an aunt or niece was going to take her. My heart hurt.
No more! She is our crazy, loving, energetic, wild daughter. She completes our family. This is super cheesy but I looked up her name, Emma, in a baby book.....guess what it means?! Whole.
The day was made extra special by the fact that the judge was adopted too and shared her story. She said during her adoption ceremony she jumped up on the judged bench. Everyone joked that she would one day be a judge. She said that since Emma jumped on the Bailiff's chair, maybe she would be in law enforcement.
Emma's buddy for the ceremony. She loved him!!
She said she wanted to make a "funny face".
Emma with Theresa, her social worker
She loves Ms. Theresa.
Officially a family of 5
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