Counting For Caleb {11}

In our world, there is a singular moment in time when the present tense form of the verb adopt transforms forever into the past tense form...adopted.

On Friday, March 3, 2017 at approximately 9:35 a.m., the verb tense changed, and Caleb was adoptED.

Our original finalization date was scheduled for March 6.  The judge who was presiding over our case was not re-elected in November, and we had to be reassigned to a different newly elected judge.  Our attorney notified us of the change and assured us that he would do his very best to have it rescheduled for later in March.  Imagine our surprise when he informed us that instead of postponing the hearing, the judge had worked us in earlier than our original date.  

Our court appearance went exactly as planned.  The new judge assigned to our case was incredibly friendly and warm, and the courtroom itself was small and cozy with barely enough seating for our family that was in attendance.  Scott did struggle to remember our anniversary and made a ridiculous joke which caused me to hold me breath until laughter filled the courtroom.  At one point in the questioning, Scott was encouraged to introduce "our people".  When he introduced Janey, the judge was in absolute shock.  She paused, made eye contact with Janey, and spoke words of encouragement.

Before signing the official adoption documents, she glanced up at us and commented, "This feels like a real family!"

My hope is that the judge felt the love of Jesus and was introduced to new definition of the word, family.

I have experienced both poverty and wealth in my life time.  Money doesn't buy happiness; love does.

We stopped counting because we now have forever to love, treasure, teach, and train this precious boy.