Going to Court!

 Norah loves loves her Daddy!

We went to court Friday, Jan 24th.  I think we could have gone sooner, but I have been dragging my heels with this post-placement business, and have not been really paying attention to what I was supposed to do next!  We need to finalize according to Missouri law, and going to court twice is required.  Once for transferring custody of Norah from Holt to us, and another after she has been with us for 6 months, and Holt has done post-placement visits up to 6 months.  So it's looking like April we will finalize, and Norah Blackwell will really for real be a Blackwell!!  Of course she already is.  

She was in a really funny mood as I took these pictures.  I love them!  The Gilchrists went to court on Friday as well to finalize Cora's adoption.  What a celebration!  Adoption milestones happened here for us:)  We showed up to court, and were scheduled with back to back hearings with Greg and Mandy W. who brought their twins home from Thailand a month before we did.  Their kids Zoe and Nolan are great, and doing so good!  It's so good to have other Thai adoptive families in the area.  Greg and Mandy are one of about 6 other couples with adoptive Thai kids in the KC metro that we know of, and have relationship with.

I was promptly scolded by someone here at the courthouse for taking this picture!  No signs were up, but apparently photos are prohibited.  I pretended to delete it as I apologized profusely...

The hearing itself was very short, and we got the commissioner everyone says you want.  She is nice, smiles, and is overall pleasant.  She paid us lots of compliments, and told us that Norah looks comfortable with us.  Norah even made her laugh!  It really was just saying yes to a bunch of questions, and then it was over. 

Proud Parents

We walked out of court so proud.  Proud of Norah for everything she has gone through.  For leaving her country and people to be a part of our family, and being surprisingly pleasant about it along the way!  I was also so thankful to our Good Father, the giver of ALL good gifts, that He is the giver of life.  That Norah's life is beautiful, and has made ours more as well.  Her story is beautiful.  Her future is beautiful, and it's all because He is good, and worthy of all my thankful heart.