It's Official!

Finally, good news!

We found out Tuesday night at 6 pm that our court date was scheduled for Wednesday at 3 pm.  We could hear the Hallelujah choruses being sung all over North and South America, but none any louder than in our own hearts!  Having an actual date also meant that I could schedule Andy's flight to leave Thursday morning.  We began the process of packing his things and finished up some laundry so we could all look presentable for the court hearing.

We had planned to run off some energy at the park Wed. morning, but the never-ending rain prevented an excursion outside.  So, we just enjoyed a little quiet time at home and had an early lunch. I let the little girls pick out what dresses they wanted to wear to the court appointment; wouldn't you know...they wanted to wear their Christmas dresses.  So, we headed off to the courthouse looking like we were off to see Santa :)

We arrived at the courthouse early and nervously waited in a hallway. We saw our judge limp off at one point and were worried we wouldn't see him again! Fortunately he limped back and escorted us into the same cramped office that we were in the day before for our signature verification.  Maria José, our in-country representative, and a lawyer (whom we had not previously met) accompanied us into the now very-cramped office.  The judge took a seat at the desk where the lady usually sits to bind documents with string, and we sat at the secretary's desk, which was just as cluttered as the day before.  The judge dictated a few things to the secretary and asked the lawyer to repeat them, then he spoke with Alison briefly.  During the whole brief proceeding, the judge was playing with a couple of rubber bands.  Really.  After a few more words to the secretary, he had Andy and I sign something, and then we were told the procedure was finished. We took pictures behind the very-cluttered secretary's desk, and then said our thank-yous and good-byes.  It was all over in about 15 minutes.  I am not sure what I was expecting, but it was something along the lines of a hallowed courtroom and a judge presiding over a polished bench uttering words of wisdom and responsibility. I was not disappointed really, but it did seem a bit anti-climactic!

We decided to celebrate American-style so we went to a steakhouse and then to McDonald's for ice cream. When we were at the steakhouse, Jenna wanted to order hot chocolate. We were told they didn't have hot chocolate, but they did have cappuccino. Jenna passed on the cappuccino, but Alison said she would like one.  Oh my goodness!  The rest of us walked home after dinner, but I think Alison flew home.  She was literally bouncing off walls and talking non-stop. It was actually very comical--like a hamster on crack, I suppose.  Note to self: no más café for Señorita Alison!

So ended our much-anticipated day. We came home and finished Andy's packing so that he would be ready for the taxi to take him to the airport at 4 am.  Alison has been with us for 3 weeks now and we have felt like she was part of the family since Day 1.  Now it is just official with the courts.  Thank you, Jesus, for seeing us through this part of our venture.

Our family with the secretary (left), the judge (behind Alison) and Maria José (right)

And with lawyer.

What we were we thinking? 8-year old plus cappuccino....?!

The beginning of the caffeine intoxication! 

Sisters!

I just realized that there are hardly any pictures of me and Andy with Alison. I guess we like pictures of the girls, but we will have to work on that!  We will not be as a family again until we get home to Idaho, but I think we will be calling Loni and Shayleen to update our family pictures soon....