Regarding Life Matters: It’s Really True and Finally Here

Originally posted April 2012

Yesterday was a long time coming. We thought it would happen in 2011, we thought it would happen in February. We are just thankful it is finally done! Christian is officially, fully, completely, and legally a Kopplin. The attorney said “Legally, he is no different than the children born to you. He’s yours. Congratulations!”

A lot of prayers and waiting went into this day. Every prayer was worth it. The actual event seemed a bit anti-climatic since it was all of 6 minutes long, including our hold time waiting for the judge to get on the line. :-) We finalized over the phone with Judge Day back in Jacksonville, FL. We had a notary friend (Mitch Yap) present to administer an oath to us. We stated our names and address, told why we wanted to adopt, and heard the judge say he was signing the papers.

It wasn’t until we got into the car to go home that the reality hit us. He’s ours! We must have said that a couple dozen times yesterday as we watched him play and run. He’s ours! No more paperwork, no more wondering, no more waiting, and no more being listed as his “foster or temporary mom” on hospital paperwork. Did I mention that he’s ours?

God has been good and faithful during the entire 11 1/2 months he has been with us. He has given us the strength and wisdom to help Christian transition into our family. He has helped him bond with us quickly and strongly. He has caused us to not worry over every bump in the road towards finalization. There were many bumps, but He just kept smoothing them out and we tried to keep trusting Him.

Now we pray for the rest of our lives – that we would raise this little man as the Lord would have us.

Thank you for those who prayed for us. Thank you for those who encouraged us. Thank you for those who stood with us through all the waiting.