When we were called, we all went into the court room together and the clerk asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth. My mom and dad were also asked to swear in as well. The judge asked me some questions about how we met. I have been here before and I figured I would just speak from the heart because in Africa the judge asked how he could be sure I wouldn’t want to give her back so this question was an easy one to hear and answer. I took a deep breath and told her a very brief version of our story. I was so nervous that I cannot actually remember the full extent of the conversation but there were some distinct details I will never forget. By the time I got to the part where I told her about the Buick almost hitting me when I prayed for a sign, she started looking around she bench and asked the court clerk if she had Kleenex. I thought ok well, I guess I should be ok because she was so choked up hearing about our journey to get home, that my mom had to give her Kleenex out of her purse. She asked me where I went to school and when I said Wheaton North, she said that they had lived in Wheaton when her kids were younger and they had gone there as well. Then she asked me where Lola goes while I am at work. I told her that I chose to send her to Easter seals because it was a better option to provide a more consistent environment then all the transitions that would have occurred for her if I sent her to our preschool program. I shared how much we LOVE it there, and how it was the best decision we could have made for Lola. She then told me that her daughter’s mother in law works at the front desk and I knew exactly who she was. It was kind of getting crazy. Next she asked me about doctors and if I chose to take Lo for various specialists to Children’s (Lurie) or somewhere else. I then told her that we were seeing Children’s specialists but that we saw them at Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) because it was an affiliate and close by where we live. She then told us that she was very familiar with it because her daughter worked there as an attorney. I said that’s where my dad works! Yet another connection, and t this point, I think we were all a little bit taken back by it all. My attorney just stood there shaking his head like are you kidding!?! Haha.
My Attorney Mark
She said, ‘that’s it, there are just too many connections
here, we just have to get this done,” and asked my attorney what he was doing
the next week. She told him to write down the date on the petition of Dec 27
and told him to make sure that he wrote on it that she was to be the presiding
judge. I was swirling, I had no real
understanding of what was happening, but I thought it was a good thing. She
then told us to wait in the next room. I heard her say for pictures, but no one
else heard that part. So we went into the next room and I gave Lola a snack. We
were going to stop at the Kris Kindle Market down stairs before heading home so
I was going to change her clothes too. The judge came out of the court room and
into the waiting room to take pictures with families. She walked past 2
families and right over to me and asked to hold Lola. It was the most
incredible day. I should be at a point now where I am not surprised by how
blessed we have been but I am still amazed by all of the things that have
fallen into place for us. We were so thankful and overjoyed at the fact that
she is going to sign and will officially be a Sender on paper, even though she
has been one in our hearts for a long time.
Here we are with the Judge
The Judge signed and finalized her paperwork on Dec. 27th
and I picked it up Jan. 31st
What a perfectstart my New Years Eve!
