As unceremoniously as it could possibly have come, an email from our attorney appeared in my inbox after my run this morning. Standing in the kitchen still covered in sweat, I read aloud the message "Kristin and James, You should be receiving the attached Order of Adoption in the mail from the court. The court will send this also to Vital Records for a new birth certificate to be issued. Vital Records is taking about 45-60 days to complete this process."
Perhaps due to shock, or maybe the lack of pomp and circumstance, we just went about our morning without opening the attachment-- even knowing what it was. Jim finished getting ready and went to work. I fed Josiah in his new high chair from his great-grandma, read him two books, gave him a bath and loaded him in the car to take to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the day.
It wasn't until I got to their home and used their computer to print out the attached document that it really started to hit me. Among other things, the document reads the following;
"From and after this date the parents of the adoptee are:
Kristin Jayne Parrish and James Edward Parrish"
We're finally done. And while I still have a niggling to hold my breath a while longer while we wait for a birth certificate to surface, we know that it is our legal right to ask for one because no matter who you ask now, he is our son! The relief comes in waves-- big, crashing ones followed by excitement and realization that this chapter is now at a close.
The worry of these past few months, after the years of waiting before that, is finally over. We are finally parents in every single legal way, something we have desired for our entire married life, a desire we have drowned in prayer. I'm a mom! Jim's a dad! Josiah is a Parrish! After every hurdle, every heartbreaking delay, it's over.
We can now submit our names again for a second adoption, we'll send off the neat pile of documents I have prepared soon.
Though I'm sure the first thing some of you did was scroll down, I will stop writing and show you what you came here for. Pictures of our adorable little boy. I wasn't kidding that he's the cutest kid ever.
Included is a video I made not long ago featuring the song we have the sheet music to hanging on Josiah's wall. It was made and is shared with his birthmother's blessing and permission, as well as the photographer of the pictures of the birth (Laura, Josiah's birth aunt, happens to be a very talented photographer who captured those precious moments after our son's birth).
Thank you, THANK YOU again for all who have supported us through your generous donations, prayers and encouragement. Thank you to those who have loved us through every struggle. Thank you to those who love our son and our family.
Our first family photo
He was put under my shirt right away in the delivery room.
Daddy holding Josiah
The traditional mom and baby in the hospital bed... except I didn't need to be there.
Babies first meal.
His birth aunt took his professional pictures.
Checking out the bottle holder.
So very tiny.
The bolt that slowed down our trip to the airport, compared in size to our 4 pound, 11 ounce baby.
Is the baby okay?!
Entertaining conversation with Dad.
Grandma Marcie made him this Star Wars Quilt. We ALL love it.
