Finally Official

It has been a whirlwind of the past 24 hours.  Yesterday morning, I woke up sick as a dog.  No worries, this always happens when we have court.  I think it has to do with our lives being torn apart in a courtroom just over 2 years ago.  But, yes, I get physically ill on court days.  I was actually so sick that I didn't not know how I was going to sit in a courtroom.

Finally, after some prayer and water, my stomach finally settled down and we headed to court.  The kids were so excited!!  My parents followed us and we met up with Brian's parents there.  Our adoption worker and foster worker were also there.  It was a great day of celebration.

We had to meet with our attorney to review what would be asked in the courtroom.  After several question the guardian ad liden (representative for the children's best interest) asked to speak with us.  While chatting with him we realized that there was a major error in the court document.  It stated that the children had lived with us since March of 2011. Those of you who know us know that the boys moved in in August 2010 and Lacy followed shortly thereafter in October 2010.  My heart immediately sank and I thought, "Oh boy, here we go.  We are going to have another delay."

The guardian was super cool about it and said that everyone makes mistakes and that it was no big deal!  Thank you, Jesus!!

We went into the courtroom and the kids were so well behaved!  We were sworn in and the process began. Our attorney asked a lot of basic questions about employment and our ability to care for the children.  Then he really put the pressure on me and asked if I knew this would forever change my relationship with these children.  That for all intents and purposes these children are now just as if they had come out of my body.  Needless to say, for those who know me well, I lost it!  I was so proud and humbled and elated all at the same time.  Of course, I answered yes through tears streaming down my face.

At that moment, next to me, I fell Brian's shoulders begin to shake...he was losing it too!  Behind me I hear the sniffles of all our family who have been there to support us through this rocky journey.  The tears did not stop until the hearing was over.

After our testimony, the guardian had to make a recommendation to the judge....wait for it....he said that we were the best placement for the kids and he recommended the adoption to go through!!!

The judge reviewed everything, and after a lot of words, she finally declared us the true parents and introduced the children legally for the first time as:

Cebastian John Corbly

Ashton James Corbly

Lacy Elizabeth Corbly

Everyone was applauding and crying.  I was finally able to turn around and look at my family, and I saw all the tears of joy on every single face (except the kids--they were trying to figure out why everyone was so sad on such a happy day!!!!!!)

Hugs were given all around and the judge allowed us to take a couple of pictures!

The rest of the day was just spent enjoying the fact that no one can ever take us apart from one another.

If you have read my whole blog, you know that this has not been an easy journey.  But those things that are worth waiting for usually aren't easy.  I have no delusions that life will be perfect from this point forward, however, I trust Jesus that we will be a perfect family for each other!

This is only the beginning of our story...stay tuned!!!