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!!!