It's official!!!
As of 9:33 this morning, Emma's adoption was finalized and we are now a "forever family" as they say in the adoption world! WHOO-HOO! We met at the Hall of Justice (but didn't see a single SuperFriend anywhere), and after passing through the security (where Emma was wanded and somehow her toxic diaper managed to pass scrutiny), gathered upstairs to await the judge. Grandpa and Grandma Hunter, Grandpa Smith and Bubbe Frank, our pastor, Bonnie, and our lawyer were all there for the occasion. We were escorted through the courtroom and into Judge Calvaruso's chambers for the proceeding. As promised, here are pictures of the event:

• As soon as we sat down, the judge handed us the official Certificate of Adoption.
  
• There were forms that had to be signed by us, our lawyer and the judge, which didn't take more than a minute or two. The judge looked through the inches and inches of paperwork in our file, then looked up and said "Congratulations, it's all done!" which made everyone present grin from ear to ear! It took less than five minutes from the time we sat down!
  
• After it was done, the newly official Smith family took a picture with Judge Calvaruso and then the judge kindly posed with some of our extended family as well (l-r: Grandpa and Bubbe, Chris, Emma & Heather, Judge Calvaruso, Grandma and Grandpa). We left the HoJ and braved the icky weather to have a celebratory breakfast with the grandparents, and that was that!

- posted by Heather @ 8:12 PM