We're Legal!

Caleb's adoption was finalized on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 9:30 in the morning.

We are officially a legal family!

Usually, when you adopt, you go to the courthouse and stand in front of a judge. In our case, since the adoption was being finalized in Florida, we stayed in our living room and sat in our kitchen chairs in front of the judge who was talking to us via Skype. It was a little less formal, to say the least.

We invited my parents, Zack's mom and step-dad, and my totally amazing visiting teacher, who was the much needed notary public, to be with us on this momentous occasion. We had thought about inviting everyone in the family, but we didn't want it to be too crowded or noisy. We weren't sure if the judge would approve of so much family or be put off by so many people. (In hindsight, we think he would have been just fine with a room full of family members who love Caleb.)

We put two chairs for us to sit in in front of the computer screen and then a row of five chairs behind us for everyone else. Caleb sat on my lap.

The judge was a little bit late so we had time to check the score of the USA vs. Algeria football game. Go USA!
The judge showed up on the screen around 10:00.

Neither Zack nor I knew what to expect. The judge had us introduce ourselves and the people sitting behind us. He had Jennifer, my VT and notary, acknowledge we were who we said we were. He asked me and Zack a few questions, most of which had to do with our willingness to provide for Caleb's needs and be good parents. All of which we affirmed. He told us that this adoption would make it as if, in every legal sense, Caleb was our biological son, and that if, heaven forbid, we were to divorce we would still be responsible for him and Zack would have to pay child support. We couldn't have been happier. Responsibilities? Bring 'em on!

We got to see our attorney for the first time and were able to, at least at first glance, verify that he didn't have horns, or if he did that he hid them well. They only showed up once when he wanted us to verify and have it on record that he had spent waaaay more time on this case than he was paid to do. (Really? Your protocol is usually one phone call and one text message? I guess we got a steal with at least 3 or 4...) He also asked me if I would agree that his fees and services were satisfactory. Afraid that my answer might jeopardize how quickly he would send the finalization papers to us (we needed them in 2 days), I hesitated and then said, "sure", even though I was under oath. Shame on me. (But I will give the guy some credit. He did get us our finalization papers to us by Friday morning. And now we are done with him.)

The judge told us that court hearings like this were highlights in his line of work. I have to agree. Adoptions are way better than custody battles, drug dealers and DUI's. He asked a few more questions, signed a few papers, stamped a few things and then told us he approved of everything and, just like that, we were done. A bonafide, legal family.

After we hugged and congratulated each other we took a few pictures to document the occasion.

Yes, our dogs got to attend Caleb's finalization. They're family, too!

Then Caleb went down for his nap. Such is the life of a 10 month old.

Zack took the day off work to celebrate this our first day of being a legal family. We decided to go to the park. We invited my brother and his little family, who was visiting from SoCal for the weekend, to come play with us.

I got to meet my cute nephew, Matthew, for the first time.

And Caleb got to try swings for the first time by himself.

He's a fan.

He also enjoys sharing the swing with Dad.

Somebody get this boy a swingset!

Cousin Hailey also likes the swings.

Good times were had by all.

That evening Zack, Caleb and I celebrated by going out to eat at The Cheesecake Factory. How can you celebrate without cheesecake? It also helped that we had a gift certificate.

I sure do love my little legal family.

Sorry guys, this boy's taken.