It's a Boy!!!!

Most children join a family at birth in a hospital. Our son officially...legally...joined our family in a court room. We entered the court room surrounded by family...the people who will love, support and help raise our children along with us. Our attorney sat to our right. A social worker to our left. The judge in front of us. We raised our right hand vowing to tell the truth and the hearing began.

Tim (our attorney) asked me a series of questions: Will you state your name for the record? Where do you live? Are you married to the man sitting next to you? What was the date of your marriage? What is Nathan's birth date? When was he placed in your home? Is it your intention to finalize the adoption of Nathan today? Do you believe you can care for, maintain and educate Nathan? Do you believe this adoption is in Nathan's best interest? I answered all of these questions...they were familiar. I've heard them a hundred times before only I was the adoption specialist, not the adoptive parent.

Then it was Mike's turn: Where you present in the courtroom when your wife was asked the previous questions? If you were asked the same questions would your answers be the same? Do you believe this adoption is in Nathan's best interest?

When the attorneys were through with us, they turned to the social worker, asking about our ability to care for, maintain and educate Nathan but my mind was wandering. I was staring at Nathan, so proud of this little boy who in just moments would be my son. I couldn't imagine my life without him and quietly thanked God for bringing him into our lives. I glanced over at Ryan and Grace...two amazing children who love having Nathan as their little brother, who are protective of him, care for him, love him and fully accept him as though born to our family. But today he was born to us...born in a court room with a judge announcing his birth...

"The court finds that the adoption of this child is in the child's best interest and from this day forward for all intents and purposes shall be the child of the petitioner and that his name shall be changed to Nathaniel William Ray...."