Court

Our experience going to court was unbelievable. We had a meeting with the adoption agency and found out that we needed to finalize QUICKLY because there was a possibility that they would be taking away the adoption tax credit and that was something that I needed to qualify for! Thank goodness I had an amazing attorney and law firm who were able to make it happen. We were originally supposed to go on a Friday but our date was moved to Tuesday. At first I was really upset because all I could think about was the timeline, however once again God had it taken care of for us in advance. We planned on arriving to the courthouse early because I was SO nervous and I wasn’t sure what the process would look like and I wanted to make sure that I had time to figure it all out. However, in TRUE Melissa fashion, we were running late instead. Well, that’s not really ALL my fault, because unfortunately Chicago traffic was exceptionally busy that morning.  My mom and dad went to court with me, and my dad was driving so he dropped us at the door then went to park the car. When we got to the courthouse we met my attorney Mark in the downstairs and went with him to the Cook County Sheriff’s office for Lola to be served with papers to be in court. It was such a funny idea to me, and everyone else for that matter, but something that had to be done. We had a really great Sheriff who was friendly and kind. He served Lola and we were on our way upstairs to the family court waiting room.

It was really great. It had toys and computers and a really great multicultural mural on the wall. I was SO nervous and the longer we waited the worse it got.  Our case was called and Mark went in to speak to the judge first then we would be called. I knew in my heart that everything would be fine, but because I didn’t quite understand the process I just felt uneasy. The biggest concern was whether or not my attorney would be able to convince the judge that we needed to finalize by the end of 2012. I have no idea what happened when he was in there but it must have been good.

 

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. 27^th and I picked it up Jan. 31^st

 

What a perfectstart my New Years Eve!