Baylie Anne Batchelor is officially our daughter!We arrived at the courthouse at about 8:10 this morning for our court time of 8:30. Baylie looked adorable in her brand new pink outfit. My mom and dad were already there and I was very relieved to see them. It gave me great comfort for some reason.
We went inside and waited. Next our social worker Morgan (we love her) arrived. We started reviewing paperwork and it was nice to take my mind off of waiting. Next the attorney Bill arrived. And then my brother Scott and his wife Bethany came. I was so grateful for the loving familiy support.
Morgan and Bill were discussing whether or not some of our paperwork had to be original instead of copies and I was getting a little nervous that maybe we wouldn't be able to finish everything, but I just hoped for the best.
We were invited to enter the courtroom. I've never been to anything but traffic court before. We were invited to sit in front of the microphones at the Plaintiff's table. It felt kind of strange to be considered a "plaintiff," but the chairs were very comfy.
I'm not sure at what point I started to get emotional, but before long I was fighting back the tears. The judge may have taken pity on me because he didn't ask for any originals and was satisfied with copies. When the attorney asked David if we were willing to accept responsibility for Baylie and be her parents and if we were ready to love her and be there for her financially and emotionally, I couldn't hold back the tears any more. I just cried my eyes out. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to do that in court, but I couldn't help it. Then the attorney asked me if I felt the same and I could barely answer.
The judge was so sweet and told me it was okay to cry. He said three of his grandchildren were adopted as well. He said that from this time forward, Baylie would only be known as Baylie Anne Batchelor and we would be her only parents. The court documents are sealed unless someone gets a court order to open them. He let us take pictures and it was all official.
Now Morgan will send away for her birth certificates and after that we'll get her a passport and go on a trip somewhere! (Whoops, for a moment there I forgot David lost his job, so maybe we'll just go to Idaho or something.)
I'm so grateful to Baylie's mom. My Father in Heaven has blessed me so greatly. She is such a sweet little girl and I love her so much.
9 comments:
I just got really choked up myself!!! Congratulations, Batchelor family :)
I am so happy that you can finally relax. Baylie was always yours. You are an awesome family. I always cry in court as well so I know that feeling. What an awesome day.
Congratulations!!! I am Tiffani's friend in Las Vegas. I am so very happy for you, Baylie is a very lucky little girl to have such loving parents!
Hi Kristen,
Reading this brings back the memories of finalizing both of my kids adoptions. It is such an awesome feeling when it is all final and now you can finally take her to the temple. Congratulations!! I hope you remember who I am. My husband is Dave Jennings cousin. Your little Baylie is beautiful.
We cannot wait for the temple.
Congratulations to your sweet family. I am so happy for you both and my heart is full. Thank you for sharing such a personal journey.
Yeah! We're so happy for you! I must admit I cried while reading this, knowing what you've been through and to finally have it official must be such a relief! So congratulations! Give that sweet little girl of yours a big kiss from us!
P.S. Thank you so much for the package! I LOVE the shoes (they made me cry too). You need to stop making me cry! Seriously thank you so much-you are the best!
Big, big! CONGRATULATIONS, pal! That is wonderful wonderful news. I also got choked up. Lovely day. Lucky family.
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