It is Finished!

After 4+ years, we have finally (I hope!) finished all of our paperwork. Today we had our court hearing for our re-adoption of Madeline Grace Phillips! She will now be issued a California birth certificate, which will make it much easier to enroll her in school, athletics, etc (when the time comes). We've been told it could take about a year to get the certificate, but everything is done!

Sitting in the jury box:
back row: Yeye & Nai-Nai Ream
front row: Vanessa & Julie Spiller (photogs) and Yeye & Nai-Nai Phillips










Here we are sitting at the attorney's table. Matt & Lindsay are at the far table. Karen, Madeline & Michael are at the near table talking to our attorney, Mr. Mott. He does re-adoption cases as a ministry & only charges for the court filing fee.









The Honorable Judge Charles Crandall presided over our hearing. He told us he enjoys these cases because they are positive & fun (unlike the small claims cases he gets the rest of the time!).

They also had some presents for all the kids:
they each got to pick a beanie baby. Then Madeline also got a very special pink blanket that was handmade by some of the courthouse staff. That was so very sweet. :)





Our family & the grandparents!
Front row:
Nai-Nai Ream, Maddie, Karen, Lindsay & Matt
Back row:
Michael, Yeye & Nai-Nai Phillips & Yeye Ream

Madeline was tired of taking pictures, so this was the best we could do!







Madeline modeling her new very special pink blankie!



(These were pictures from the day with my camera. I will be getting some more from Julie & then will make another post. So please check back!)