Re-Adoption Day! Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Yesterday was readoption day. The day where we appeared to in court to have the adoption finalized, have Caleb's name changed to Caleb, and things like that. It's a huge milestone in the adoption because it really signifies the beginning of the end of the paperwork. We now will get a Wisconsin Birth Certificate for Caleb, naming us as the parents. We then can finally get him his Social Security Card, allowing us to open up his bank account, start his college savings account, and of course, have another tax deduction (insert humor, we obviously didn't adopt for the tax deduction!). What the kids think the most important part is that Caleb is now officially, completely part of our family. He is OURS and we are HIS. FINALLY, a family of 6. Here are some pictures. (Caution - have you ever tried getting your picture taken with 4 kids? What a nightmare. I think each kid is looking at the camera in one of the pictures, certainly not all of them!!!!!):

With the judge. His granddaughter, coincidentally, is adopted from Guatemala, and he shared pictures of her after we were done.

Also with the judge. Note that the eldest two kids are starting to get a little goofy!

A family of 6. Who'd of thought we'd ever be this lucky!
We were fortunate enough to have our parents (and one grandparent) come for the readoption. In this picture are Kris' dad and grandma.
In this picture are Keith's mom and dad.
Have a great day, everyone!!!!!

Irony, irony, irony

I'm just shaking my head at this one, as I have been for the last 2 months. We have our readoption court hearing next week. HOORAY! Finally, we can get Caleb's name changed, get him his final birth certificate, and all the good things that go with that. Don't get me wrong, we are THRILLED to finally be near the end of the adoption tunnel, 2 years after we went in.

However, here's the ironic part. Many of you who follow our blog remember the nightmares we went through to get Caleb's updated birth certificate. The one we HAD to have in order for the US Embassy (and US Government) to recognize Caleb's adoption, so that we could go through orange, pink, the Embassy appointment, his visa, etc. Well, it seems that in Wisconsin, for readoption, they go by the original birth certificate. The one that lists his birthmother as his parent. The one that lists his name before he took our last name as it appears on his visa, Certificate of Citizenship, passport, insurance cards, etc. So that almighty birth certificate that the folks in Sayaxché wouldn't give us for 3 months, the one that they passed a law saying they couldn't give it to us...NOT needed in Wisconsin. AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I feel better now. Obviously, that 2nd BC was important to the US Government, but not to the cheesehead lawmakers in WI. Irony, irony, irony.

Have a great day!
Kris

Brother and Sister

Just a very cute shot I was able to get of Caleb and Meghan watching tv.

This never - never would have happened a few months ago.

1st Day of School

Okay, so I'm a week behind. It's been busy around here, getting everyone ready for school and work, but so far we're making it! Jared has started 2nd grade, and Meghan has started Pre-school. Here are some pictures of the first day!

Here's Jared, the big 2nd grader!

And Meghan, who was very excited to start Pre-school.

Caleb didn't want his picture taken at first. So here's his classic pout-face. (I love this picture!!!)

After I put the camera away, Caleb had a change of heart, and started running around the living room, yelling "cheese!" Have I mentioned lately that he's two? Anyway, here are some pictures when he was feeling more cooperative.

And finally, a picture of the crew. Don't they just look like a lot of fun?!?!?!

Keith has to drop off Meghan at daycare. He's worked out some type of carpool with some other moms, so he only has to drive once a week. But he made sure to drive on Day One. Here are Meghan and her friend Julia entering on the first day:

Enjoy!!!! Hopefully I'll have time to update again soon!

Kris