The Final Days

What do the final days in a three and a half year long adoption process look like?

Ahhhh, EXCITING beyond all reason. The timeline has been years; however, I can't begin to tell you how quickly this has come to us, and how grateful and surreal it feels to finally be here.

On Friday, September 8th everything becomes official! 

Jason and I talked about what emotions we think we'll have on that day. We've already been through the hurdle of waiting and waiting and waiting. We've been through finally meeting our son, inviting him into our home and family. We've been through the dark days of grief and sadness. We've made it to the joys of hearing a little boy yell out mommy and daddy-o over and over again. After every tear shed out of joy, or pain, you'd think I'd be done crying by now. But guess what? I'm crying writing this, haha.

So although we both think and know the hearing is 'just a formality' 'it'll be fast' 'let's make it fun' - we will have one last person ask us again 'why do you want this little boy?' and 'will you love him no matter what?' And without a doubt, we will say YES and YES! And I'm sure, with tears in our eyes. Because although we have been a family of three for one day shy of a year now, it will be legal, official and we will finally be to the world, Stephens, party of THREE!

So, the final days you ask? What are we doing? Haha, the FUN stuff! After we received the Consent to Adoption from Thailand on August 9th, we had our lawyer on the phone right away. Fedex has visited on several occasions getting us signed copies of everything we need. Our Adoption Hearing was put on the calendar, September 8th. Invites went out right away to family and friends to join us that day, because the beauty of Thai adoptions, it's one of the only international adoptions that family and friends can see the completion of in person! We received our invitation to the Thai Embassy to register our adoption. Yesterday, I was asked by our adoption agency to submit our one year report. Can you believe that? Tomorrow is our one year anniversary of meeting our son, face to face. Lastly today, I was confirming Dominick's new birth certificate via phone call.

The gal confirming the birth certificate got quiet after reading our birthdays off to us. She apologized, then confirmed that Dominick and I had the same birthday. I explained how that was one clear way we know God chose this little boy for our family, for me to be his mommy. She got quiet again, and shook off some emotions that flooded her. May I NEVER grow tired of sharing how PERFECT God's plans are and how much HE IS IN OUR STORY! Love it!


A week and a half out from completion. Yes, there are some small things to do after September 8th. Actually go to the Thai Embassy. Apply for his Certificate of Citizenship. But on this end of our adoption, I can proclaim that God deserves all GLORY! He orchestrated the most beautiful little boy to be a part of our family, made it happen in ways only He can get the credit and was with us every single moment which drew Jason and I closer to God and each other.

What a journey. 

An incredible, amazing, SO WORTH IT, still can't believe God chose us for it, JOURNEY! StephensFamilyThais