IT IS OFFICIAL!!

Carli Elizabeth Laws

"NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby ordered, adjudged, and decreed by the Court: That from the date of the entry of this Decree herein, the said minor is declared adopted for life by the petitioner(s) and that said child shall henceforth be known by the name of Carli Elizabeth Laws."

The feeling of joy and peace is overwhelming. Today the official degree of adoption arrived in the mail. When Joe and I opened it, we had no idea what it was. It looked like so many other papers that we had gotten from the lawyer. We decided to just lay it to the side and email Michelle (our attorney) about it later. About 6:30, Michelle called. She had gotten the same letter in the mail. I confessed that I didn't know what it was and she told me that the wait was over. The paper was the final adoption decree which makes Carli legally a Laws! I couldn't even speak for the tears running down my face. Carli was really ours. After all the prayers, the waiting, the tears, the waiting, the paperwork, the waiting, and encouragement from friends, Carli was officially, legally, and entirely a part of our "forever family". GOD IS GOOD!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

WOW! My first Mother's Day with MY daughter. I can't get enough of saying that...MY daughter!!

The weekend began with a day off so I could take Carli to see Dr. Walker for her 4 month checkup. She has doubled her weight from birth, weighing 13 pounds 8 ounces and is 24 inches long. She did well with her shots, fussing for only a few minutes. She didn't get a fever that day or sleep any differently. We enjoyed some mother/daughter time that afternoon.

Dr. Walker told us to start Carli on rice cereal that evening. So for dinner we mixed the cereal with milk and fed her. She did pretty well. She got it all over her face and hands. She seemed to enjoy it after making a few very funny faces.

Saturday began with more cereal. We left it a little less runny and Carli inhaled it! After breakfast, Daddy, Joe, Carli, and I went to the Spring Follies in town. We thought about how much fun Carli would have with the rides and petting zoo when she was older. We just enjoyed walking around and finding a few things we "couldn't live without." I bought a pink tutu for Carli. Joe asked what I was going to do with something like that...but I imagined wonderful pictures and how much fun she would have later playing dress up with it.

Mother's Day started off with gifts...Carli gave me a figurine of a mother with her baby and Austin gave me one of a mother with her older child. I am so blessed to have a wonderful stepson and a beautiful daughter. I thank God every day for both of them.



At church, all new mothers brought their babies into the service and were recognized. Tammy called me to the front with a huge smile on her face. She (above all) knew exactly how I was feeling! We were given a special flower and congratulated on our new babies.



It was a bittersweet day. I missed my mom terribly today. I know that she is smiling down from heaven watching me have a wonderful day with my little girl. I am thankful for everything she taught me and hope that I can pass on those wonderful lessons to my little girl. Thank you Mom!