On March 11, 2010 the Ugandan judge made me legal guardian of my sweet girl....On July 27, 2011 the American judge made me her mama forever! (Think she's grown much???)
We had a wonderful day...
Waiting to go into the courtroom....Meeting the judge....Making it official...she's mine!Making it official...I'm hers!We were just a little excited...!!!We had a party at Jaja Nana & Jaja Papa's house. Dorie wanted Miss Bekka to do some facepainting...
Papa and friends got the barbeque going...
Uncle Freddie loved helping with the pinata....
And the day ended with a quick swim. A perfect day.
My college friends are lifelong friends. You know the kind that you don't see for a while, but when you do, you pick up right where you left off? Like no time has passed? My college friends are like that. I love them so much! Look at this amazing group!! And we were missing some, too. (Love you, Ronda and Rachel!)
We've committed to getting together more often...we want our kids to grow up knowing each other. They had so much fun playing together. Made my heart so happy.
Isn't this darling little African girl the sweetest thing ever??? Friends helped design and print these adorable t-shirts...if you'd like one, email or post a comment. $20 donation (plus shipping) would be appreciated. They are available in women's sizes and a variety of colors!
Adoption Timeline
June 3, 2010--Home forever
May 28, 2010--We have a visa!
April 28, 2010--Visa appointment at the US Embassy...application is "not clearly approvable" and will be sent to Nairobi for review
March 31, 2010--New guardianship orders granted...hoping they satisfy the US Embassy
March 29, 2010--Back to court to appeal for rewording of guardianship orders
March 11, 2010--Judge issues her ruling and I'm a mom!
March 3, 2010--Second court hearing...all goes well
March 1, 2010--First court hearing...but no judge!
February 18, 2010--Gotcha Day! Dorie comes to stay with me
February 17, 2010--Meet Dorie for the first time
February 15, 2010--Off to Uganda to meet Little D!!!
January 27, 2010--Sweet Baby Girl turns 5 and my documents are received in Uganda!
January 8, 2010--USCIS Fingerprinting appointment
December 2, 2009--Decide to proceed with the adoption!
November 11, 2009--Saw Sweet Baby Girl's picture for the first time
November 8, 2009--Read a blog post about a little girl not at Sanyu...my heart is stirred
October 1, 2009--"Top of the wait list" for a girl at Sanyu Babies' Home!
June 23, 2009--Application to Amani Baby Cottage officially denied
April 2, 2009--Looking into Sanyu Babies' Home in Kampala
March 10, 2009--Mailed application to Amani Baby Cottage! Let's see what God wants to do!
December, 2008--Met with Angel's Haven Outreach, the agency which will most likely complete my homestudy
October, 2008--Interviewing Home Study Agencies
June-August, 2008--4th trip to Rwanda; met with government officials
February 28, 2008--Decided to research adoption from Rwanda