It is Official

We would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family: Johnathan Emerson Decker! As of Today, Monday June 4th, 2007 we are the proud parents of Emerson and we could not be happier.

I only have a little time to post but I am sure that many of you are planning on waking up this morning and finding out how today went. John and I were very nervous this morning and John has been practicing his lines all day. Our Coordinator, Translator and “the paperwork lady” all came to pick us up at 1:35 from the Pushkin (yes we are back here in room 307.) We all went to the court house where we met up with the social worker, the baby house director, the registrar, and the prosecutor. Did I mention we were very nervous. Our translator kept telling us that there was no reason to be, but hey the stakes were very high.

The judge asked many questions, yet they were all expected. The only mistake made was that John said we had been visiting him since last year. While it feels like this, the mistake was overlooked. After we stated our part, the baby house director spoke about Emerson and us. Then the social worker reviewed our home study as well as our bond with him. The registrar showed the judge all of his paperwork. The prosecutor then said that he agreed with ALL of our request including the immediate execution of the adoption. The judge then granted all of our request. We were so excited it was hard to maintain composure.

So now tonight we will be going to the baby house for the last time to give our gifts to Emerson’s caregivers and to take our boy with us.

Thank you all so much for your love and support. This has been a long and hard journey and with out many of you this would not have become a reality. Not only does it take a village to raise a child, but this little boy who’s life started alone has had a whole village and then some share their love and support with him to give him a loving family and community.