She's gonna be ours'! :)

This is Roo. :)  And, she's gonna be ours'! :)  So excited that I can finally share her picture!!!!  She just turned 1 year old a couple weeks ago and we are all so in love with her!!!

No, we do not have the results of the court hearing yet.  The judge is taking her sweet time ruling; however, a few weeks ago we received notice that Mom had decided she wanted to consent and sign over her rights.  She realized that we, were infact, truly Roo's parents, and she was simply someone that Roo played with a few hours a week.  She wanted to give up her rights, so that Roo could for sure stay with us, the only family she's really ever known.

I must admit......I SOBBED when I got the phone call from the case worker, the phone call from the G.A.L. and then a very long text from bio Mom. It was this overwhelming feeling of 'relief' to think it's finally 'over' in a sense, and yet I grieved for her Mom, as well. This is such a sacrificial act of love for her to step aside for her daughter's sake.  We were shocked and overwhelmed...never seeing this coming!

So, three weeks ago all visits were cancelled and all DHS services regarding Roo.  She met with her lawyer and signed the papers, giving up her rights.  This past week, we had our final visit with Mom and Roo's siblings...a good-bye visit.  It was emotional and hard; however, it went 'well' and we will have to see where things go from here.  We may maintain some form of 'open adoption', with emails and such and possibly yearly visits.  We will just have to see how this all goes as we walk it out.

So, now, the papers went to the judge and we have to still wait for the judge to rule.  This is because it's an 'open termination' case, so since we actually went to court for the state to terminate the parental rights, it has to be walked out.  However, since the father is absent and mom has now signed over her rights, it really a 'no-brainer', so it's just waiting for the final verdict to fulfill the legalities.  This judge is known for being S-L-O-W, but everyone is hopeful that having consent papers will now hurry things along! :)

Then, we will be moved to an 'adoption worker' and move forward with making this precious beauty a permanent part of our family!!!  SHOCKED that we are at this point, as we totally did not see this coming a year ago, and yet beyond excited that we have the privilege of loving this little girl and raising her to know Jesus!!!

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged us and prayed for us as we've walked out this often-times difficult journey of love!!!

P.S.  Yes, we're still calling her "Roo" via the internet; however, we will reveal her name once she's adopted!  :)