It’s over. It’s just beginning. It’s official. However you slice and dice it, it’s wonderful.

Today was our day in court. We set our alarms to get up at the crack of dawn and get ready for the big day. Joe looked super spiffy in his new “Bagger Vance” duds. (I couldn’t resist, even if white pants are a foolish option for a crawling — and walking — boy.) We left early, making sure we arrived at least an hour before our appointment. Grandma Debbie and Granddad Bill met us at the courthouse. (They flew in late last night.) We were all pretty calm, even though our social worker arrived just before they let us all in the courtroom. It helped that the court officials like adoption hearings, the “fun” part of their job, so they really made us feel comfortable.

There were six adoption hearings during our time slot. We all went into the courtroom together (no one objected, an option they gave us). Dan, Joseph, and I were called up second on the docket. The judged asked Dan and I a few questions, we answered, and midway through the questions, the judge gave Joe a foam gavel to play with (to stop Joe from beating on the table with his hands — it worked). The judge pronounced the adoption final and that was that. Since cameras were allowed, we took a couple of photos with the judge (sorry, they ended up blurry), then we followed our social worker to the clerk’s office to get the paperwork certified.

The whole process took maybe a half-hour. We almost didn’t believe it: we had finally jumped through the last and final hoop. We’re his. He’s ours. The family we’ve become in our hearts, minds, and souls is now official on paper too. Gotcha!