We have an Adoption Decree (actually Deed)! . . .

Today was another court morning! Yesterday, we tried to file the petition for Christian adoption, but one of the witnesses was questionable, according to the registrar's office. So, we had to redo a witness for the birth parent affidavit. Once that was done yesterday, we were permitted to return this morning and finish registering the adoption. Once registered, we went in front of the court for the adoption decree approval.

This morning, 9/25/09, 11:30 a.m., the Pakistan Magistrate granted our Petition for Christian Adoption!

YEAH!!

Now, all that is left is to attend the court hearing for Permanent Guardianship on the 29th (Tuesday). Then we will have all the court proceedings finished! All the legalities will be completed and a wonderful outcome of a favorable decision from the courts.

One interesting experience we had this morning - All the court officials were shocked by my age. They couldn't believe I am as close to 50 as I am (48 in Nov). It was so fun to see the look on their faces as I pulled out my passport for confirmation. I guess the women in Pakistan are considered "old" when they reach 50 and are considered past the point of being productive! LOL! They thought it was amazing that I am taking on an infant at my age, unheard of in their culture! Anyway, it was a great ice breaker with all the "men" in the court room! I was the only woman amongst about 15 men (it takes a small army to do a Christian adoption in Pakistan!). My attorney thought it was so funny - He had asked Uppa D what his age was on Wednesday night when we first met at the attorney's office. So, the attorney proceeded on to tell the court officials this morning that my traveling companion was 60, they were shocked again. Uppa D and I just looked at each other and laughed and said "We must be living right!"

Below is my right thumb - The purple ink stain is very significant. With every signature I signed over the last 2 days, I had to place my fingerprint next to my signature. It seemed I signed and signed and signed. And, my thumb became more and more and more purple with each signature (they make you reload with the purple ink for each signature/fingerprint!). It is going to take a while for this to wear off, LOL! I'm sure I will have to do this again on the 29th after the court hearing for permanent guardianship. I will so gladly wear this as a reminder of the court process we are working through for Sweet Pea to become my daughter. As far as I'm concerned, it could stay permanent! So, here I'm giving the "thumbs up" that we have an Adoption Decree granted, with my purple thumb, of course!!!
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We are definitely more relaxed now that this piece of the court proceedings is finished and completed. This afternoon will be napping and then we will probably be able to go to the store and shop for a few items that we need. YEAH, the outside world again!

Love to all!

Mama, Uppa D & Sweet Pea!