Finalization Day!

Well, what a day! I can not express the emotion, joy and happiness that I felt today. We started with lunch at Spaghetti Warehouse with Grandma Derri. The kids did well. And to my surprise, it was kids day, and all meals were only 99cents! (BONUS!) So we got done eating around 1:45 or so, and headed for the courthouse. From the moment we walked in, you could feel the excitement. The security guard knew why we were there, and sent us in the right direction. We then waited for Grandma Debbie and Papaw Rudy.

It was so sweet, the clerk saw us in the hall before hand and knew who we were from our Homestudy. She said it was so sweet reading it and she was so happy for us. Kuddos to our Social Worker!!

There were two other families finalizing, and we were the family in the middle. We were all in the courtroom together, and we first got to go up and confess our desire to adopt Toby. Then we took a photo with the Magistrate. Then we went back up a little later and Toby got to place the official seal on his certificate of adoption. She also let Taylor and Drew stamp a piece of paper to take home. All three kids also got to pound the gavel. They really enjoyed themselves!

Following our time in the courtroom, we headed out to our cars and to the surprise we had for the kids to celebrate the day! We took the kids to Build-A-Bear! They had so much fun. This was Toby's first experience there! He was a champ! Taylor said it was awesome! We finished up with some cookies at the cookie shop and headed home. We are all very tired from a busy day (without naps) and I must get the kids to bed (as Nate is at his basketball game).

And here are a few photos! You can see more at the Photobucket Link (view all images). I will hopefully do a quick video later tonight, once the kids are in bed! It was an indescribable day! God is SOOOOO GOOD!!!