Through a wonderful act of Providence, we are now in communication with a Dutch couple who was at Light in Africa orphanage on the very day Grace was brought in. For the first time, we have newborn pictures of our precious little girl! I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to get these pictures…the earliest pictures we had were of Grace at 5 months old. I love these pictures, but I know that they will mean even more to Grace when she is older.
January 17, 2006
…and almost two years later!
September 12, 2007…the day the judge formally announced that he was issuing Grace’s adoption order! It’s been 10 months since Grace joined our family, and though I was never too worried that something would go wrong, it is such a relief to know that now everything is legal! (Though she still won’t be an American citizen for another year.)
Everything on Wednesday went so well. This was our third court hearing–at the first two, at least one of the essential people did not show up. We didn’t have high expectations for this hearing either, because of social worker problems. But everyone showed up on time (lawyers, social worker), and we only had to wait 45 minutes to see the judge. (Everyone shows up at 9, and you never know when your case will be called. With a toddler, this gets interesting! The hallway where we waited is full of lawyers and criminals in chains!)
Below are pictures from the exciting day. They are not very clear–since we didn’t expect much too happen that day, we hadn’t brought our camera–so these are from Gil’s cell phone!
Our social worker Harriet, and our two lawyers
In front of the court house–now officially a Medina!
Winking on command!
Last night was special. There has only been one other baby adopted from Grace’s orphanage–a little girl named Tumaini (“Hope” in Swahili), who now happens to live in the Bay Area with her mom. I had met Sammye and Tumi a year ago, just as Tumi’s adoption was complete and they were leaving Tanzania–right about the time we were starting Grace’s long process. Sammye had been staying at the orphanage during the time Grace was brought in–so she has a special bond with her and had hoped and prayed for a long time that Grace would be adopted.
So it was with great joy last night that we got together and Grace and Tumi were reunited. It almost feels like they are blood sisters…or about as close to it as we’ll probably ever find. Tumi and Sammye gave Grace a little bracelet like the one Tumi always wears, which is such a special way to connect the two of them. The girls certainly had fun together! It will be fun to keep in touch over the years while the little girls grow up.
Sammye and Tumi
Daddy let me feed myself breakfast…the pictures say it all!
My first Fourth of July Parade–and I’m not even American yet!
at the Aquarium of the Pacific with my family
My crazy Daddy! And I have no fear…
Lovin’ Grandma’s trampoline!
Sasha and me
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