NATE'S ADOPTION DAY!!!!

Kissing Nate before heading to the courthouse

Taking a picture with Judge Sloan after finalizing the adoption

Showing off his new shirt!

WE ARE OFFICIAL PARENTS!

The one word that comes to mind when I think of July 9th is...BLESSED. We were very blessed with an amazing, special, and perfect day with Nate and our immediate friends and family. The adoption hearing was set for 1:00 and I joked that my 'labor and delivery' only lasted 15 minutes! It did not take long for the judge to sign off on Nate's adoption and start showering us with kind words, hugs, a few tears, and lots of smiles. We had balloons for Nate symbolizing every person that was there to support him, the Judge gave Nate a book and allowed him to pick 2 stuffed animals in her chambers, and we had professional photographer to help us remember these wonderful moments.

A year and a half ago, we had no idea what the future was going to hold. This was an emotional situation for every person involved and we had no clue what we were getting ourselves into. On February 1, 2009, we opened up our home and hearts to Nate as his Aunt and Uncle and we could not have imagined that he would call us Mommy and Daddy and that we would become his legal parents 18 months later. There is NO doubt that God has had his hand on this entire case from the very beginning to this point in time. We feel very blessed to be entrusted with this wonderful child and to be his forever family. We are so thankful for all of the amazing people in our lives who have been huge supports in Nate's case and who kept his best interest at the forefront.