Adoption Day!

We finally had our Adoption Hearing! On November 17th, also National Adoption Day, we went before a Judge to make Mya LEGALLY ours! The county had planned a special day for all 47 kids being adopted that day. They started with a breakfast and opening ceremony, which unfortunately we missed due to traffic (and we knew we were the 1st hearing and didn't want to be late, so we went straight to the court house instead of Child Haven where the breakfast was).

We were on the 9am docket, but ended up being the last of several families waiting to go before our judge. It was exciting to see each VERY happy family exit the court room with their official papers in hand and the special child with a gift bag, balloon and bunny!

We were anxiously waiting outside Courtroom #9

Here we are getting "sworn in".

Our attorney in the red there on the left asked us several questions like "have you resided in CC for at least 6 months?" "are you at least 10 years older than the child?" "can you provide for the basic needs of the child?" and so on...... Then the Judge announced the adoption of Hope Mystic Conner to Jonathan & Camille Christensen and announced she will go by MYA CLAIRE CHRISTENSEN from this time on......! (my favorite part) She's always been ours, but I haven't had any say in her legal name until now! ;)

Although it is still court and some protocol has to be followed, it was actually very informal. This is such a happy, special day & they love to cater to the families. The judge, Jennifer Elliot, was very sweet. She handed Mya her gift & balloon and even had a basket full of small trinkets for the siblings of each adopted child. Then she found an extra bunny on her desk and gave it to Noah. :)

Mya was giggling while pulling her balloon up and down!

Below: This is our attorney Heather Kemp in red and our Adoption worker Cindy Ramser on the left. Unfortunately Mya's case worker was very sick that day and couldn't make it.

After our hearing, we went next door to Child Haven to see what else was still going on. There was still some breakfast left, so we let the kids eat since they were bummed we missed it. They had activities at some tables for the kids, a big dress up and play area, and a silly clown riding a teeny tiny bike around making balloon animals. They also had a photographer there to take professional pictures and offer each family a free 8x10.

Mya did NOT like the clown.....

After we left Child Haven, we took the kids to Olive Garden for a celebration lunch.....before they had to go to school. ;)

Mya was unusually happy at lunch! I wonder why?! LOL