Finalization & Party!

It's official! Caleb is legally our boy forever!
Caleb Austin Starkey, you were worth it all!

August 21, 2019 was our finalization date! We woke up extra early and left the house around 6 am! The hearing was in Ft. Worth at the Tarrant County Family Law Center, and some of our closest family and friends came to witness this exciting day! We met a representative from the attorney's office around 8 am, and she pulled us aside for a moment to explain how everything would go. Then we went with our crew down the courtroom and waited outside the door. Another family went right before us. When it was our turn, butterflies filled my stomach! We all went right up the the judge and stood before him. The rep from the attorney's office began right away and asked Austin questions. Has Caleb been in our home for at least 6 months? Has he been seen by a doctor? Do you promise to love him and be his father forever? (There were a few more, but that's the gist!) Then she turned to me and asked if she were to ask me the same questions, would my answers be the same as Austin's, and then she asked if I promised to love and care for Caleb and be his mother forever. YES! Then the judge declared the adoption final and pronounced that his name be changed to Caleb Austin Starkey! DONE! Everyone cheered, and it was the sweetest moment! The judge invited us to come up with him and take pictures with the whole family. Then at the end, he told all the kids to come take a stuffed animal from a box in the back! The whole thing was less than 10 minutes, but it was the most aniticipated 10 minutes of our lives!! haha Afterward, we took a few pictures with family as the attorney's rep went and brought us copies of Caleb's official adoption decree! It was the best day!

Fast forward 3 days to today, Caleb's Superman party! I have been planning this party for awhile. I wanted it to be so perfect! I bought die cuts of Superman and the Superman emblem and other cut outs to use as photo props. Superman garland, Superman balloons, cake, hot dogs, and so many sweet family and friends loving on our precious boy! It was so much fun! Hot, but fun! lol I'm so thankful for our village of people who have supported our adoption. I will truly never be able to accurately put into words what the support, encouragement, and prayers have meant to us.

It's so surreal to know it's done. Adoption lasts forever, and we will always deal with Caleb's adjustments to it all as he grows, however knowing that the legal aspect is forever done is such a relief! This was a good week! Good is good, and we are blessed!