The day before school started, we were able to finalize the adoptions in South Dakota. It was a quiet morning at our local court house, with a couple close friends and one of our adoption workers from Sioux Falls present. The judge smiled and commented on our bright colors and smiles...a much happier sight than most mornings! He quickly signed the paperwork as he shared that he had followed our story...."a great story." As we walked out, the kids noticed the single file of the NEXT lucky few to enter the courthouse. Ange-Laurette asked, "Why are those guys all dressed the same?" (in black and white stripes!) Pierre said, "Yeah, why are their hands tied together?" We said, "Let's just say that this morning is the ONLY time you probably want to visit the judge!"
We celebrated with breakfast at Perkins...and looked forward to the much bigger celebration at our house that weekend. The morning only made official what we already felt: these two precious children are definitely already our own. Although we ALWAYS value their past and the sacrifices of their birth families, we feel all the love and responsibility any other parent should. Mostly "love"!!
