Open House

Luke and I took the kids to our first open house experience.  It was fun to get to see them with all their school supplies.  I couldn't resist taking pictures.  This was our first time to go inside Springhill Elementary.  The halls seem endless.  We took Asia to see Ms. Whitaker first.  We found her desk and got all her supplies put away.  She seemed to like her new classroom.  She kept talking about how littler her seat was.  Robert's class is just down the hall from hers.  Ms. Gray and Robert seemed to hit it off pretty well.  Robert is really excited about starting school.  This has surprised me on so many levels.  He's not the shy little guy he was just 7 months ago- he's really growing into his own little person.  We got Robert's school supplies all settled and then headed to the gym for the parent meeting.  The school seems really inviting and parent oriented.  We're looking forward to starting the year off as a family of 4! 

First Electric Shower

Luke's office threw us a family shower.  It was so special to experience the support, love, and encouragement from Luke's work family.  They gave the kids blankets with their new names embroidered on them along with a few toys.  The kids felt so special and loved. The cake and punch were wonderful! Don even got up and said a few words to us and the kids.  He got down on their level and explained how special it was that we chose them.  He told them that we love them more than they could ever know.  Luke and I were truly speechless at the love and support we've been shown through his work family.  He's worked several different places through the years, but not one has been like First Electric.  It's such a great family environment.  It's one we are truly thankful that the Lord provided for us.  After the shower, we headed to All Aboard.  The food was fantastic and the kids loved that the train delivered our food.  We will definitely eat there again soon!

School Posting Day

 Waiting in line to see who's class we're in!

 Robert got distracted while taking a picture.

 Asia proudly pointing her name out.

 A little funny faces to end the day.

Since I am brand spakin' new to all the fun things to do in getting your children ready for school.  I decided to take my camera to the school posting day.  I backed out at the last minute in bringing my "real" camera because the crowd was so big.  So, enjoy these iphone pictures.  The kids didn't understand why we couldn't go inside the building.  I explained that Thursday night is open house where we meet their teachers and see their classrooms.  For now, they are happy with just knowing they will have new names for the new year.  Yes, the did have their middle names wrong, but it's a small victory for our kids to have new last name.  We can change their middle names on the school roster later.  Robert will be in 2nd grade and Asia will be in the 1st grade..  I've heard awesome things about both of  their teachers.  I'm looking forward to a new school year at a school that is so close to home.  I'm also looking forward to starting fresh as a home room Mom...something I didn't have a chance to do last school year!   Bring on the 2014/2015 school year!

Branson with the official family!!!

Free picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

After the adoption was final, we headed over to Branson to celebrate.  Our hotel room wasn't ready yet, so we decided to shop for a bit.  We went to the Amish Store as well as the outlet malls.  Nana had given the kids some money to spend and it was burning a hole in their pockets!  Luke and I kept telling them to wait on spending it after they wanted to buy the first thing they saw.

We took a nap in the hotel and headed to the Landings for dinner and a little more shopping.  We ate at Old Chicago and had pizza.  It was good but rich!  Luke and I had been talking about how we wanted something for the kids to commemorate their special day.  We walked by Build a Bear and decided that was it.  The kids had never been there before.  Robert picked a black bear and Asia picked a puppy dog.  They each got recorder buttons in their bears. Luke and I went and recorded messages to them inside their animals.  They then got to stuff them and put a heart inside.  They really thought that was neat.  After giving them an air bath, we headed over to make their official birth certificates.  We told the kids they should name them after their new names.  So, Asia's puppy dog is named after her new name and Robert's is named after his new name.  They do however have nicknames that change almost every day.   After Build a Bear we headed to get ice cream and back to the hotel.  We were all tired!

The next day, we went to Silver Dollar City.  The kids love it there.  I was having issues with a ligament in my foot, so the walking was about all I could do.  Luke took the kids on their first ride- the Plume.  I think they weren't too excited but loved it after it was over.  We rode more rides before lunch.  We ate a Pork Tenderloin sandwich and that succotash out of those big skillets for lunch.  It was starting to get hot around 3, so we headed back to the hotel for a nap.  That night, we went to Shorty Smalls to eat.  I ordered the Chicken Pot Pie and Luke got the BBQ chicken.  The kids got their usual burgers- but got green beans instead of french fries.  I hated my chicken pot pie.  Luke being the good man that he is- ate mine- we ended up eating some of both our plates.

After dinner, we decided to go swimming with the kids.  They splashed around and had a blast jumping in.  When the shallow end got a little crowded we took the kids over the rope to the sorta deep end.  They weren't having it.  Robert is so close to swimming.  He was crying that he was scared.  So, I got nose to nose with him.  I told him, "In the 7 months that we've had you, have I ever done anything for you not to trust me?"  "No Momma," he said.  "And yesterday, when we signed your papers, I proved that I'm always going to be here.  So can you trust me?"  I asked.  "Yes," he said.  He started swimming again.  I looked around the pool at that time and realized it had gone quiet.  Yep, apparently everyone and their dog heard what I said, and I'm sure it sounded kinda strange.  We left the pool shortly after that!

On the ride home, we stopped at Furgeson's for lunch.  We love to eat there.  I had some crayons in my purse, so the kids and I colored while waiting on our food.  I drew a heart and put all our names in it.  Asia says, "Mom we're now a forever family!"  "That's right baby, we sure are!"  It was a great end to a memorable trip!

A 7 Month Review... Enjoy!

This free picture slideshow customized with Smilebox

It's official....

      Outside the courthouse before an official family of 4....can you tell how nervous we are?!

                  Little Robert, PaPa, Asia, and Nana waiting to go back to the court room

                                                                Robert and PaPa

                                          Robert, Monica- a wonderful DHS friend, and Asia

                                           Taking official family selfies outside the court room....

                                          An "official" family after court- much happier and less nervous!!!

                                         

                                                                  Robert and Dad

                                                        PaPa and Robert

                                                           Nana and Asia

                                                         Asia and Mom

                                                               My omelet

                                                              Mom's breakfast

We drove up on Sunday afternoon to get ready for the adoption.  Mom, Luke, the kids, and I went to eat immediately at El Chico.  That was some of the best Mexican food I have eaten in a long time.  I was rather tense though at dinner- kept looking around the restaurant not wanting to run into any of their "bad" family.  After dinner, we stopped at Walmart for a few essentials and then headed to the Hampton Inn.  Robert and Luke went to swim while Asia and I went to Nana's room to visit.  We all got bed around 9.  I took Tylenol PM so I could sleep. My nerves were about shot. 

Monday morning, we woke up around 6 and started getting ready.  We dressed the kids in their Easter attire.  I curled Asia's hair and tried to do something with mine.  I think I changed clothes between 2 outfits at least 4 times!  I was a wreck.  The kids didn't really say much at breakfast.  They ate oatmeal and toast.  I think I ate, I couldn't seem to focus on much.  We all piled into the car and set for the 2 blocks to the court house annex building. 

We were the first ones there- even beat the security guard.  She was from Rhode Island and her accent really stood out.  We found out that the annex building used to be a funeral home.  It was really wild.    We visited with her in the lobby for about 10 minutes before Monica-the kids DHS person showed up.  Her and Rebecca have been fantastic in all of this.  The kids are super comfortable with both of them.  She was able to meet Mom and Dad as well.  We headed back to Judge Isbell's court room.  Actually where he sat on the bench was the exact place you would put a "body" if it were still the funeral home.  It was kinda funny to in vision all of that. 

Court was supposed to start at 8:30.  Luke, the kids, and I sat on the very front row.  I don't think the kids moved at all.  Asia kept scooting closer and closer to me.  Robert sat very still and wouldn't hardly talk at all.  It was about 10 am. before court for us got started.  They removed any of the "extra" people from the courtroom so it would be just us.  They told Luke and I to raise our right hand and swear to tell the whole truth.  They then called me up to the witness stand.  I wasn't prepared really for that and didn't know what to do.  The lady asked me where I lived and how long Luke and I had been married.  She then asked if we understood that these kids would be ours legally til they were 18.  I just looked at her and said, "Well, 18 and beyond."  Everyone laughed.  Judge Isbell said, "Yes, WAY beyond."  He even commented on how well behaved the kids were.  He asked me why I was interested in adopting Robert and Asia.  I said, "Well, because I love them."  I remember looking over at the two of them.  Asia with her wide blue eyes and Robert staring at me looking so nervous.  Then I saw Mom and Dad sitting behind them.  Mom was of course crying and Dad was teary eyed too.  After that, they called Luke to the stand.  He got much less questions that I did.  They only asked him why he was interested in adopting the kids.  He said, "Because we love them and can't imagine our lives without them."  Yep- that's my fella!

The judge made it so.  He signed the papers and told us to keep up with these legal documents.  Then he explained about the birth certificate and all.  We asked to have a picture made with Judge Isbell.  He is such a nice man.  He said he would love to have a picture of this day to put in his scrapbook. 

We were all grins leaving the court house.  We gave Monica one last hug and left as a family of 4.  I think we all breathed a sigh of relief as we left the court house.  We headed over to the square and ate at a little diner.  It was really good food.  I could actually eat at that point- in fact the kids ate all of their food too!  

 

I wondered a lot about this day.  What it would look like, how I would feel.  One word can only describe it.  Amazing.  Well, that and nerves!!!  My Grandma and PaPa went through this exact same thing some years ago. I wondered what they would say about all this.  Were they as nervous as Luke and I were.  Did Grandma change clothes a thousand times and never felt comfortable until after it was over?  How I wish my Grandma and PaPa could have seen this and met their Great Grand Children.  How I wish my Aunt Debbi could meet her namesake in Asia Joy.  Robert Graham is named after our Uncle George.  We just love him and he's a great example of what a Christian man should be.  The kids have big names to live up to- and to finally feel as part of a real family.

I didn't take any pictures inside the court room.  Dad did though, and I can't wait to see his pics.  We headed on to Branson after that for a family vacation.  An "official" family vacation.