
August 9th, 2022: My greatest dream, and biggest blessing came through.
Leading up to the date of our final adoption hearing I was a bag of nerves. I am one of those “extra” parents and had shirts made with our last name and when each person “became” a McCraney, this could be when they were born into the family or married into the family. For friends of the family, they had shirts with McCraney in the center and “We are the Tribe” in a circle around the last name. Randy had three outfits for the day; the Daycare outfit was a shirt that said my FOREVER starts today and had the date, the courtroom outfit was dress pants, a button down and a bowtie, and then the final outfit was his McCraney established 2022 shirt. See I told you I am extra
When the day FINALLY arrived, because it felt like it took it forever to get here, Randy and I were packed and ready for a day of memory making. The morning started out as normal, I dropped Randy off at Daycare for a few hours (in shirt number 1 for the day), and I headed to work. The workday ended for me at 11 and I headed to grab my little dude, we then met his God Parents for a nice lunch and hang-out time. After lunch, we headed to the courthouse! Once at the courthouse we were greeted by our immediate family, who could make it, and a few close friends. Due to Covid, we were not sure if anyone would be allowed in the courtroom for the actual hearing, but our friends and family were there. We were on the docket for 2:30 but arrived early to find a parking spot and take some pictures, and to change Randy into outfit number 2. When our name was called, we learned the 8 people there with us WERE allowed to come in! The judge and lawyer asked me some questions, the judge gave a little speech about how amazing adoption is, this we already knew, and then we were presented with a few Adoption gifts; a book bag with Randy’s NEW initials, a teddy bear, and a super soft fleece throw blanket. After the hearing, we were able to take some cute pictures, changed Randy into outfit number 3, and spent time with our family at the park near the courthouse.
