OUR FIRST OFFICIAL FAMILY PHOTO!!!
But today did not go on without its concerns! So let me tell you what I can remember, it's been an emotional day!
We arrive in Globe, Arizona to meet with our attorney. She tells us a little bit of info, but not much - so we felt it was not a necessary meeting, but oh well. We did find out that going through the Apache Court means that this will be an open adoption. News to us, but we can make it work. Basically if the birth mom or grandparents want to see or receive letters/pictures we need to make it happen on our terms. So they would have to come to GA!! More than likely this will never happen, but we needed to be aware of it.
So Court is at 2:30pm - we arrive at 2pm and find out that the Judge is not in, so another Judge is taking our case. We find out it is Judge Dawson and are excited because he is the judge we wanted to begin with. He arrives at 3pm - now Kenna has not napped all day, but has been a happy little lady until we go into the court room. She melts down....GREAT right!! Oh well the life of a toddler! Court lasts for 40 minutes and she cries off and on the entire time!
So this is what the Judge starts with - "I don't think I can hear this case" (my thoughts.... what???are you kidding me????no way.....here we go again....)"there are questions that Judge Griffin wanted that are not here" Our attorney thankfully jumps in and gives him the information that would hopefully be sufficient. He says it's not what he would prefer, but go ahead with the hearing - Phew we dodged that bullet.
So next we are asked basic questions like how long have you been married - to which Sean responds 13 years, I had to speak up - 14 years honey!!! so we breezed through the rest with no problems!!!
Then the Judge begins talking about our worst fear - the Northern Cheyenne. He goes into long details about why we are at the Apache court and not the Cheyenne. Again the oh no thoughts begin...He then moves on to should this case be heard in State Court....So we start feeling this is NOT happening today. All this took around 30 minutes - a VERY LONG TIME!!!! Then out of the blue he starts saying it would be in the best interest of the child, baby girl bear, to be with the petitioners. It will be as if they gave birth to her and she will have all rights as a natural birthed child by petitioners. This child has bonded with the family... I grant the petition for adoption. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Tears are flowing, but we are just sitting there somewhat dumbfounded...it took a minute for it to sink in! I then held my baby girl and even though she has always been mine, she was legally mine and it felt awesome!!!!
Kayla didn't quite understand what was going on, so Nana told her did you hear what the Judge said, she said not, so Nana said, Kenna is your sister- she was speechless!!! So priceless to see her little mouth drop!!!
HAPPY GOTCHA DAY KENNA!
