Six Minutes...

That’s all it took. SIX minutes for our county courthouse judge to make the final decision on Muluken’s adoption. He’s OURS FOREVER!!



It’s kind of funny if you really think about it though. The country of Ethiopia has already made this ruling back on December 4, 2009. Since that date, Ethiopia has given us the title of “parents” to Muluken. We have given our promise to Ethiopia that we will care, love, and raise him in our family. So, what would our county, state, or federal government do if we said “no, we don’t want him”? Not that it will EVER happen, but seriously, what if?


We are SO EXCITED that this final event has taken place in our adoption process. We still have to file one more piece of paperwork to receive his Certificate of Citizenship, and pay another $400 or so, but at least, it won’t disrupt the daily life happenings in our family!


Everyone in the family knew this was just a formality, or so I thought. Muluken had surgery the day before and wasn’t feeling so great on our court day. The family all got up at 6am and we left the house at 7:30am. We arrived at the courthouse within minutes of our scheduled time of 8:15am. Muluken walked SO SLOW all the way. We thought he was in pain. We went up to the second floor and found the room. We all went in and sat down. Except for Muluken. He just stood in front of me and held my hands. His eyes welled up with tears. We really thought he was in pain. The judge talked and asked Brad and I some questions and that was it. He gave his ruling that Muluken is officially ours for life! YEAHHH!


We were told to walk out of the court room and around a corner to pick up the certified copies of the ruling. Right before we rounded the corner I heard Muluken say, “Dad, am I staying?” He thought we were sending him back to Africa! WOW! Even when we think we have talked through everything and we all know what’s going to happen, there still is that fear in him that he might have to go back. My heart broke! We hugged and kissed him and told him that he was here forever!


He had the biggest smile on his face and even started walking better (no pain from surgery). The judge came back in normal clothing and even talked to all of us. Everything was PERFECT!!