Adoption Day

Today was the big day- after exactly 11 months of Hope being in our care legally, we have completed her adoption.   The 2 hour drive seemed to fly past as we drove up to our old home town, then we met our caseworkers & lawyer, then we stood in the vestibule of the court room for what seemed like 20 minutes, and finally went in for about 2 minutes of the hearing followed by a few photos.   We walked in as foster parents and walked out as a forever family.  As it turned out, we were one of 3 adoptions taking place that day.   We then took photos out in the waiting area as we waited for the adoption decree to be copied and given to us.  

 After we finished with stuff downtown, we had to run to her pediatrician to get her files released to her new doctor then we made a stop at a playground before leaving for home.

When we got home it was time for a bit of a nap, then it was off to a before dinner art & craft time.  Mom and I made some special toasting goblets at the time we got engaged, so we went to a ceramic painting studio and made a special plate with her hand print and adoption date that Hope got to paint on her own.  We added a little dog to the corner of the plate that was painted to look like the Dizzler.   She then had a little meltdown, so I took her to the car and got ready to head to get pizza.

We went to the Pizza Hut buffet (folks not use to FW area Pizza Huts don’t know what you’re missing—not like any other area locations).  Hope dove into the all you can eat pizza and jello.   It was a very nice relaxing and filling dinner.   If she could have told us exactly where she wanted to go, this would have been the place she would have chosen.   After dinner we gave her a sucker for the first time, and boy did she like it.

When we got home, we decided to take a walk and explore the walking trails around our new home, we were pleasantly surprised by how nice the trials were and they extended into 3 additions.

We have her FW adoption party tomorrow, and her baptism on Sunday.   Then what????????

New Photos

Hi All,

We are still getting settled, but we did have the den re-carpeted today, so we were able to move lots of stuff in to there.  The builders are working really well with us and we will be receiving our new dryer and dishwasher tomorrow.  That should put us in good shape.  In the midst of the craziness of getting ready for the adoption and following parties, we took some time out to get new family photos taken.  The first set with the Dizzler will not be back until Aug 4, but then we dropped the dog back off at home and then went to get Hope's formal photos taken.   Here they are.....

We've landed

Hi All,

Just wanted to let everyone know that we have landed in our new house, had a couple of minor hiccups along the way, but I'll get in to that more tomorrow, but for now We're Here..   Now off to find more business or a 9-5!  Thanks be to God!

Final post from Michiana

Is it really that time so soon?  It seems like God had just called us back to Fort Wayne a few weeks ago, and we are already at closing.  We are closing tomorrow on the house and tonight I am taking down our network, so I will only have access to the internet via my cellphone for the next 2 days.   Once we land I will post again.  Happy 4th to everyone and thanks to Ladybug's mom & dad for taking Hope today and tomorrow.  Movers arrive at 10!  Thanks for all of the prayers, Mom took an antibiotic and is feeling great again today!

On the Move

Well we're on the move, our gas powered items are Grandma's farm, most of our things are in boxes and we have about a dozen empty boxes left.  Closing is on Tuesday, and our stress has been incredible.  Despite Hope's room not being emptied yet, she is starting to show that she knows what is going on and is getting nervous-- we're trying to keep most things as stable as possible, but let's face it, we're in transition.  I am praying that I will have most of the house boxed tonight as Mom is starting to have some signs that she is going to be sick on the day of the move, but we're praying that it will pass overnight. 

I am going to stay up late and continue boxing and try to really get a good grasp on things and I pray that tomorrow will only need to be a partial day of boxing and cleaning.   Please keep Mindy in your prayers so she has the strength to help out tomorrow.

Thanks all-- we'll see everyone really soon!