Beautiful day...THREE WEEKS AGO!

Well, to say I have been a slacker would not be entirely correct, BUT....if the shoe fits, I guess I will wear it! That is as long as they are not heels...I hate heels!

Honestly, some part of me thought...ok, the adoption is over, the chaos is done, the uncertainty and fear has come to an end.....which means what?  I'm going to have so much time and energy to do great things....organize/ clean my home, start meal planning, blog about new/fresh stuff, read a book for pleasure, and of course, be the most amazing mom/wife my kids and husband have ever seen.

Well....NONE of that is happening.  Everything just sped up....we got busier, we over-committed, and we jumped on a crazy train.  But....I'M LOVING IT - most days! (see upcoming blog entry on that topic!)

I, did however, not want one more single day to go by without a brief re-cap of that AWESOME day 3 weeks ago....

AUGUST 19, 2013

The day we adopted WILLIAM CRISTIAN VAUGHT

The morning started off with Cristian and I heading to the dentist!  It would be the last time EVER I would have to carry this bad boy along with me!

The dreaded foster child paperwork binder

You see, as a foster parent with a foster child in your home....you have to do an onslaught of paperwork for everything you do...every day, every medicine, every appointment, every time you go out of town, every time you go to the park.....CONSTANT paperwork.  But after today....tat would be no longer!

Then, we were off to the church for a brunch that some awesome friends decided to put on for us before heading to court.  To say we have an amazing support system would be an understatement.  It is hard for me to explain the feeling I get when I think of the support (both from family and our family by choice)....so overwhelming.  Chris and I made a prayerful choice to enter the world of foster care - a world of uncertainty, frustration, heartache.....but also a world of joy, growth, and amazing unbridled love.  The family and friends that have been along for this ride.....they did not sign up for this.  This was not their journey....it was not their call.....it was not their plan. 

Or was it???  I have no doubt that God placed us right where we were supposed to be for this ministry....with people that He called to be along side us on the journey.  And for each and everyone of them....I'm eternally grateful!  They have loved and prayed for Cristian...since day one....everyday.....just like he was already "one of theirs".  But I guess...in all honestly, he was already "one of theirs" because we are all HIS.  Thank you....that is all this mama can say!  THANK YOU!

Here are some pictures from the brunch with family and friends!

Us with the St Luke's Staff!

Then, we all loaded up and headed to Odessa to the courthouse.  The entire church staff boarded the church bus...in matching "TEAM TANK" shirts and met us there.

This is what our court room looked like once we all filed in and took our seats.

The next 20 minutes were simply the most amazing, heart-warming minutes one could ever have....especially in a courtroom!  :-)  Chris and I both had to take the stand to speak about our life with Cristian and our love for our little guy.  Information was presented to let the judge know....that not only were we suitable for the parenting of Cristian, but WE were the right ones....the ones chosen by God (according to our lawyer) to love and parent Cristian.  One of the most fun, coolest moments....which unfortunately, could not be caught on camera....was when Chris was on the stand. Cristian hopped right out of my lap, marched right up the stairs to the stand, and climbed into Dada's lap.  It was BEAUTIFUL!

Then, there was a moment when I was sure CPS was going to step BACK in and say....hold up, maybe NOT such a good idea!  Cristian was insistent on spending the final 5 minutes of the court hearing running in circles up the ramp and down the ramp....carrying a pen that he had been using to draw.  YIKES!  Yep that's us....great parents, providing a super safe home!  :-)

Anyway....the judge made it so...the paperwork was signed...and Cristian became William Cristian Vaught, our son...forever!

Here are some additional pictures of our moment in court

Our lawyer Shane Stokes and the Judge

Our Awesome Buckner Adoption Agency family

Us, Cristian, and his wonderful, loving grandparents!

What an amazing support system for this little guy....and for us!

It was a day that I will remember forever....a day we will celebrate every year.  August 19th....you have become one of my favorite days of all time!