"So promise me you'll never forget...that you aren't an accident or an incident...you are a gift to the world, a divine work of art, signed by God. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth...Flooded by emotion, overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, 'You are my child. I love you dearly.'" Max Lucado, God Thinks You're Wonderful







Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Sadie's First Gotcha Day!

Can you see what her shirt says? "It's official... I am a Shockley!"

Well, this day has been incredible! It started with Sadie waking up to all 4 of us singing "Happy Gotcha Day to you!" and lots of kisses and cuddling.
I have said this to many of you, but I have learned how to enjoy this day more with each adoption instead of fear something might go wrong.
Not that I wasn't a bit nervous this morning, but it was related to thoughts like...
Will my three year old toot during the hearing and bust out laughing?
Is someone going to jump in a huge puddle in the rain and be soaked for court?
Will my boys have a hard time keeping still and quiet during the hearing and make a scene?
I mean, it is a tough age to expect kids to not move and not talk.
But, they both were perfect gentlemen. It was little miss that started squealing, and while I thought it was completely adorable, it made me sweat thinking it might be annoying the judge.

Our judge was beyond incredible. In fact, he was the best we've had. I started crying like a baby when he made us raise our hands and vow to be Sadie's mother and father forever. It was SO COOL!

Cooper went up there with us and even raised his hand too. He told me when we were signing our final decree of adoption that he wanted to sign it too. Oh, it makes me melt just thinking of it. I had to tell him that there wasn't a "bubba" line for him to sign on. Owen was a bit nervous and stayed back with his auntie Laura.
At the end the judge told my sister (our attorney) that he had never had the pleasure of making a prosecutor cry. We all cracked up laughing and she fessed up that she was Sadie's aunt and that she normally doesn't cry in court.
Just outside of the court room. Notice Owen's shirt tail didn't stay in long!

Sadie giving her daddy a high five after court! We're pretty psyched about today baby girl!

Filing our papers in the clerks office! We're almost done sweet thing!

After court we went to lunch with the family to celebrate.

Waiting for our table at Ted's...it's a tradition that after every finalization we eat at this local mexican place. Yummy!

Owen enjoying some chips and queso with Noonie!

Little Miss got some gifts. My parents got her a Life Box.
For those adoption buddies out there, I love these! They are cool keepsake boxes that I put personal stuff about their adoption in. I have loved having these for the boys when they are asking about their adoption. We pull them out and go through pictures and gifts from their birth parents.
Cooper showing off Sadie's silver cup engraved with her new legal name and her Gotcha Day date!


After lunch our family had the pleasure of meeting Mama G for the first time. It was incredible for them to be able to love on her and thank her for her love for Sadie and her sacrifice. What a blessing!
She's totally pooped from such an exciting day! I am too! I need a nap!

25 comments:

Laura said...

What a great day it was! I am SO glad that I got to go and be a part of her special day. I have to say that I agree, that Judge was SO awesome and he helped to make our day so meaningful!

Love all of you!!!

Kristy said...

Wow yeah what a great day! Oh they're precious I love the last one of Sadie sleeping a perfect ending I do say. I can't believe how fast time goes by only 2.5 months until Aarons 1 year gotcha day. How exciting!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Kara said...

How awesome! I was praying for you today, glad it went well! She is so cute and I love hearing all the stuff you guys do to make sure they know their birth parents! You are one awesome momma Molly!

Lindsey G said...

Whew...I could barely get through that post! LOVE IT!!! So thankful for Sadie, Coop, and Owen. What specail blessings they are. Your kids have kept me going during this adoption ROLLERCOASTER ride.

**check your email when you get a chance :)

Hugs,
Linds

Dr. Erin and Mr. Heath said...

This post brings me to tears! I'm just so happy for you! Congratulations on your beautiful little family!!!
Erin

Anonymous said...

Praise the LORD! I love the cute bling shirt. It's perfect for your pretty princess. I love how Coop wanted to sign too. You should make one up for them to sign. I'm so happy for you guys! ~Jamila

Unknown said...

Congratulations! Thanks for all the pictures and letting us share in your special day! Very cool! I love seeing how God has put your family together! Thanks for your beautiful heart that just shines through in your posts!

Love you,
Julie

Becki Francy said...

Molly-
Thank you so much for the honor of being your attorney. It is such a special thing to be a part of their "birth" into our family (legally speaking). Thank you so much for including me and for giving me the honor to play such a special part. I would promise not to cry next time, but I think I would be lying!
Becki

Holly, Ben, and Reid said...

PRAISE THE LORD!!! Congrats and so happy to hear how smoothly everything went!!! Sweet little Sadie doesn't even know what an incredible family she's been blessed with =) YAY!!!!

Nate, Abbey, Noah, Blaire and Tatum said...

Congrats! I got teary just reading it. You are so blessed.

Hendrick Family said...

Yay! Yay! Yay!!

Praise the Lord!

What an amazing day. Hooray for the newest forever Shockley.

Heather

kimlee said...

Congratulations!!! Such an awesome day!!!! I am so happy for your family!!!!

Al's World said...

Happy Gotcha Day to You!
Happy Gotcha Day to You!
Happy Gotcha Day sweet Sadie,
Happy Gotcha Day to You!!!!!

I cried when I saw momma G, what an amazing woman, it made me want to hug her and kiss her and tell her thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

Love you Shockley family of five!

Terra said...

Oh Molly! Good thing I wasn't there b/c I can't stop crying looking at these pictures! What a blessed day.
LOVE:
-Sadie's bling bling
-That Cooper wanted to sign too
-That the judge thought he made your "attorney" cry.
-That your family got to meet Momma G
-That sister is worn plum out! She looks adorable!

What an exciting day. Love you Sadie Shockley!!!!

Melodie said...

yay for Sadie! sweet pictures. and i am really liking the life box idea. you had told me about it before but seeing it makes me like it more.

Krista said...

So exciting!! Congratulations!! I'm so glad everything went smoothly... you have one good looking & blessed family! And, I LOVE Sadie's onsie - super cute idea.

Brklacich Family said...

Congratulations you guys! I prayed for you today. I am so happy for you!

Just Believing said...

beautiful beaitiful beautiful!!!! i had been anxioulsy waiting for this post! Praise God he is so good and welcome to the new little miss shockley!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh... I am writing this with tears in my eyes! How good our God is!! Happy Gotcha Day Sadie!!! Glad things went well for the family of 5 today! You are beyond blessed. You amaze me with your love for Mama G!!!

Congrats guys!

Love
Maya
South Carolina

aimee said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Many blessings to you and your beautiful family!

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you and your beautiful little family!! Congrats!

Fether said...

I am in total tears of joy! Cooper what a sweet lil man! So happy for you and praising God for Momma G and her selfless love.
Yea Sadie Shockley! Happy Gotcha Day!

Chassidy said...

AWESOME!! Congrats little Sadie girl

Shelley said...

yippee yea! what a wonderful woman to share such personal, precious moments with us. sadie's gotcha day -- how wonderful!