American Sweetheart

Sorry for my long absence from blogging....I've been seriously sleep deprived! But that's a post for another day, because today was a BIG day at our house.

It's Re-Adoption Day!

We made our way downtown to the court house and met my attorney, Ann. She is so fantastic- a favorite of the adoption community in our town.

I raised my right hand before the chancellor and swore to tell the truth. Then Ann asked a series of questions and before I knew it, we were done! The chancellor then signed the FINAL DECREE OF READOPTION and...

"Anna is hereby declared the adopted child of Julie, and the relationship

of parent and child is hereby established with all rights and privileges thereto...."

Bill took a little extra time to snuggle his grand daughter....you just can't get enough of a good thing, huh?!

So what does re-adoption accomplish? Anna is now a United States citizen instead of a permanent resident. Her name is now legally changed and we will soon receive a Tennessee birth certificate. Then we can get a social security number. We've almost made it though all the adoption hoops! Unbelievable!!

So, now I give you one of America's newest citizens!! Anna enjoyed getting to know the flag of her new country. I'm not sure that our Founding Fathers intended for it to be tasted, but that's how 10 month olds check things out!!

On a more serious note....one of the questions I was asked was whether this adoption was in the 'best interest of the child'. Of course I answered 'Yes'- she was an orphan. But I caught myself thinking about Anna's birth mother and how the very best thing would have been for them to get to stay together. Although I am beyond thrilled to be Anna's mom, I'm still sad that adoption- for many reasons that aren't any one's fault- was the best option for her and her birth mom. I think of Anna's Enat (Ethiopian name for mom) every day and am so thankful for the decision she made and yet recognize that her days are likely tinted with grief and worry for her daughter. Maybe one day I'll have the time (and physical and emotional energy) to post about the day I met Anna's amazing Enat- maybe one day, Anna and I will get to meet her again.