Monday, September 27, 2010
Boo's adoption has been finalized!
The day we've been waiting for for approximately 2 1/2 years, give or take a month or two, finally arrived!
We recently finalized the adoption of Boo and she is now legally our daughter! Of course, we've considered her a part of our family pretty much from day one but now it's legal. There is no longer any threat of her being taken away from us.
As you all know, this has proven to be a much more difficult journey towards adoption than we expected. We entered into Foster Care training rather naively. We were quite optimistic in the outcome of adoption through the Foster Care system, believing that we'd have a child adopted within a year.
We also believed that we'd be adopting a child from unfit parents that had had their parental rights forcefully terminated by the State. In some ways, perhaps it helped us feel less guilty about wanting to adopt again, because we believed we'd be adopting a child truly in need of a loving home...a child right within our city.
Baby Bug was our first placement and we lost our hearts to her quickly. She was reunited with her parents 8 1/2 months later and, although we supported that decision because we knew how hard they worked to get her back, we grieved A LOT. I still miss her and I had to grieve all over again when her parents chose to end all contact with us a second time.
Our continued journey through the Foster Care system with Boo was very little like we expected. We were lied to by the initial social worker, who told us what she thought we wanted to hear, in order to get Boo placed in our home. It wasn't until I attended the next court hearing, a couple of months after her placement, that I realized how much the social worker had lied and kept information to us.
We tried desperately not to get our hopes up about adopting Boo, as we waited to see how things would pan out with her bio mom who was incarcerated. We waited, and waited, and waited for the judge to make a decision, either way.
We did our best to be "good" foster parents, attending all court hearings, filling out all necessary forms, speaking up inside and outside of the court and advocating for Boo's needs along the way, being careful to follow all guidelines put forth by the foster care agency we were licensed through.
After many months, we got the severance ruling that we had prayed for, due to the instability of Boo's bio mom and her criminal lifestyle. But then, against all odds, the Court of Appeals overturned that ruling on a technicality and threw the case back to the Juvenile Court system and told the new judge to "start over". That's when talks began in earnest of having Boo transferred out of state. It seemed that our state wanted to "wash their hands" of the situation, regardless of what that meant to Boo.
We had to hire our own lawyer to gain "party status" in the case and fight even harder for Boo's rights.
In the end, Boo's bio mom made the difficult decision to admit that she was incapable of offering Boo the stability she needed and deserved and voluntarily severe her parental rights so that we could adopt her. Everyone involved in the case felt that we would've gotten another severance ruling again, even had she not come to this conclusion on her own, but we didn't trust "the system".
The events leading up to Boo's adoption have been nightmarish. We lost a lot of sleep, our marriage was strained, our finances were strained with unexpected legal fees, our family struggled, we doubted ourselves. But, we hung in there, we fought for this precious little girl, and now she's forever an important part of our family!
Boo's Adoption Day was glorious! We had a private adoption ceremony, with the same judge that finalized Snuggle Bug's adoption and the same lawyer too! Many of our family members and very dear friends were there to witness this amazing event. There was much joy and celebration! And there was an unexpected bonus to all of this...Snuggle Bug was a part of it all and Boo's adoption finalization helped him to understand a bit more about his own that took place when he was only 3 months old.
Afterwards, we had a party in a nearby splash park for Boo. It's one of her favorite places to be and she had a grand time! She got an Adoption cake, many thoughtful gifts, lots of hugs and kisses, and many well-wishes.
It was an emotional day for me. It was perfect! There are moments when I still find it hard to believe that we actually made it through to the other side.
Shortly after Boo's finalization, we notified our foster care agency that we were closing our home. Ornozo and I thought long and hard about that decision. It wasn't an easy one to make. But we both feel that it's best to focus on the raising of the two beautiful children that we have been blessed with.
Maybe one day again we'll foster. I'm sure we'll find other ways to help children in need. It's a passion of mine.
Thank you for all that have followed this journey. Your support, encouragement, and prayers have meant the world to Oronzo and I!
Don't think that you've seen the last of me though. I may not blog as often as I used to, but I'll still pop in now and then to discuss issues related to being an adoptive parent. And I hope to hear from you as well!
I'm a bit uncomfortable posting our family picture on here, but if you've been following our journey and you'd like to see one of Boo's adoption day photos, leave me a comment with your email and I'll oblige!
Take care!
Labels: adoption, adoption #2, Boo, foster children, foster-to-adopt, fostering, Oronzo
31 Comments:
Congratulations! I am so happy for you and your family! Its been a long journey, with a very happy ending!
I would love to see a family photo, if your comfortable sharing.
crygibb at yahoo . com
I look forward to hearing how your journey continues.
Yay! Congratulations :)
I would love to see the photos too!
momtowidget @ gmail . com
i have been checking on you often and am so GLAD to hear it is finally DONE.
we have our own little "boo" we are fighting for thru foster care. your story gives us HOPE.
i would love to see the pic if you feel comfortable sharing
haelww@comcast.net
I've been waiting and praying for you. I'm so glad for your family and for Boo that this whole thing is settled once and for all! Would love to see the family pic! cook1137@gmail.com
I don't even remember how I found your blog, but I've been following along ever since Boo came into your lives. My third daughter is about her age. I would love to see a picture! Congratulations!
occupation_mommy at yahoo dot com
Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you and your family.
Of course I would love to see a pic.
banosteph@yahoo.com
Hurray! I have been watching the calendar and checking back frequently. I'm SO happy to hear that Boo is finally home for good and firmly a part of your family. God bless you all most thoroughly!
God is so good. This just brings tears to my eyes! I understand completely that you want to focus you energy on your family. You have been through so much.
Check my blog... LOTS of changes with us as well. A new grandson, a wedding coming up... :)
HOORAY!
I am so incredibly happy for you guys! I Would love to see pictures of your special day, and celebrate God's special blessing!
So, so happy for you.
Hugs to you and you growing family.
I'd love to see your beautiful family! I pop in about once a week looking for news!
miller clan at clear wire dot net (without all the spaces)
I've told you already, but its worth saying again - congratulations! I'm so happy for your family that this part of the journey has finally come to an end and you can go on raising Boo as a legal part of your family! Whoo hoo!
Wow! Congratulations to you all!!
My husband and I are getting close to having a finalization date for the adoption of our "Ladybug" who we've fostered for the past 2 and a half years (she's 3 and a half yrs old now). When I read your posts I can truly relate to how you're feeling.
I'm so happy this joyous day has finally come for you! I'd love to see the family pic :) Congrats again.
dmk0305@comcast.net
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you all!
Fantastic news, congratulations to you all. Please do send me the link to the photos.
Would LOVE to see pics!!! Congratulations XOXOXO :)
hut31999@aol.com
I have been reading so long ... I remember reading through your first adoption!
Congratulations to you and your family!
MANY CONGRATS!! I was delighted to see that you posted and then extatic to read your post to hear everything has been finalized. God bless you all. Blessings for a lifetime of love, health and happiness to you all, Jennifer
Would LOVE to see pics -
olsons01 @ gmail . com
I have been following your story ever since I found your blog and praying that all would end well with Boo's birth mom. I'm so very happy for you! Prayers answered, for sure!
I'd love to see the pic, too, if you're ok with that:
amymcgs AT woh.rr.com
Hooray, Hooray, Hooray! Congratulations. It's been such a long journey, and I'm so happy for you!
My life has been incredibly busy lately and I haven't checked on your blog in a while. I am so happy that you finally got the adoption that all of you so much desired and Boo needed. I would love to see a photo from adoption day if you feel comfortable with that. I remember when she was placed with you and have read every thing along the way.
My e-mail is manyblessing@gmail.com
Oh my goodness I am behind =)
How very exciting for you all!! A big congratulations!!
I have followed Boo's story and would be honored to see pictures(if you are still willing to share)
bjmkcollins @ hotmail.com
Yea! Congratulations!
Tammy and Parker
www.prayingforparker.com
Jumping up and down with joy !!! So happy for you al...
I prayed for Boo when you were going through your darkest time. I prayed you would not lose her and that everyone involved would have her best interest at heart.
I would love to see her picture.
Congratulations!
cbertossi@gmail.com
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Mike
www.mikeleonen.com
Photo ideas? 100 Portrait Ideas
What a wonderful milestone in all of your lives. Congratulations!
Just popping in to wish you and your family a Happy New Year!
Hey Lady! It's time for an update! Hugs!
oh that's so awesome!! We too have adopted two kiddos through the foster system. (You found my blog that way a couple of years ago... and I just came across some of your old comments from then!) I remember our boys' adoptions too and how happy we were that it was finally OVER. We closed our license a year ago, after 9 years, 22 foster kids, 2 adoptions, and 1 broken heart situation. And now we are just focused on the ones we have her permanently. We are so thankful for the ability to adopt! What an experience it is though! :)
Just stopping by to say Hi! I hope you are doing well.
Update? How are you doing? What is happening? Keeping you in prayer!
Kathleen
kogrone@gmail.com
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