Margaret Grace Jones

Maggie clapping while sitting on the judge's lap today

when we all clapped as it was announced....."Margaret Grace Jones!"

Lisa and Maggie on the first day I met her.

A glorious thing happened today. Some of my closest most wonderful super-d-duper friends adopted their sweet foster baby Maggie. One and half years ago, they brought her home from the hospital when she was 3 days old. The first time I held her was in church, which was a few days later, and I sobbed....uncontrollably, joyful, wonderful tears. When I saw the look on my friend, Lisa's face, as she walked in holding that baby....I sobbed! Today that same sweet baby and my same sweet friends became an official, legal family. They have been joined in love since that first day, but today it became official. Some of you may remember that last year, before I had a 5 day a week job, Ms. Maggie spent some of her days with Elli and I. Needless to say, we became very attached....see photo below! A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from their case worker. She asked me several questions about Curtis and Lisa and their two biological children, and right before she hung up....she asked me this....."Do you have any hesitations about Maggie becoming their baby?" My answer....."NOT ONE BIT!" Then she said....."Let's get this done!" Again, I sobbed....I know you know this, but I'm sort of a cry baby...deal with it! ;)

Today was the day....to "get this done"! When we walked into the courtroom, along with the few other families waiting to adopt their children, I couldn't help but smile. It was that smile that you just can't get off of your face. The judge and the bailiff were amazing. They were so sweet and inviting and said....anyone could take photos at anytime. The first adoption was one of a 9 1/2 little boy, named Richard, as he stood by the judge listening to his "mom" answer questions; I watched his face. I couldn't help but think how hurtful some of that must have been for him....the "his biological mom relinquished parental rights"....the "no father has ever come forward"....etc. But there he stood proud and tall. When the judge asked Richard if he would like his new last name to be Brewer, she jokingly said....you know we can change it to anything you want! As we all giggled, he remained serious and answered with something like "No ma'am, I want to be a Brewer!" It was a beautiful wonderful event in the life of that boy and his family. I can't even explain the emotion that went through me, and I had never even seen Richard before. When it was Maggie's turn, we all....all 18 of us.....walked up front to approach the judge. The judge took Maggie into her lap as they asked Curtis and Lisa all the legal stuff, and again I smiled.....that uncontrollable, can't quit smiling smile! Then they announced....that Margaret Grace Jones was part of their family "FOREVER AND EVER!" Those were her exact words, and it was like a fairytale....it was my favorite part! It's official, Maggie is now a Jones; and for that I am thankful! I just want to close this post with this....if you're ever cranky, if you're ever contemplating adoption, if you ever need your heart filled up with joy.....go to the Family Courthouse early one morning and sit in on the families who are being granted adoption, you will be so blessed and so glad you did and you will definitely decide to adopt! ;) We got it done!

Lisa announced that the adoption was final today, and she ended her message with this....

For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Psalm 92:4

How appropriate! Praise God!