Surprise...

Today was like our wedding day. We were married in the afternoon, so the wait until those moments was excruciating! We waited today, as the sand ticked down the hour glass in slow motion. It was forever - and that was just to leave to go to court. Once we arrived at 1:45 p.m. we did some more waiting. Guess what we did until 6:30? We waited some more. Yep, we waited through nap time and snack time and supper time in this little room watching everyone else go in to see the judge. When it got to be around 6:00 we were really thinking we might just be asked to come back tomorrow.  It was hard to believe when Claudia poked her head in at 6:30 with a smile on her face and said "quick, get your stuff, he is going to see us"!!! Couldn't believe it - the judge agreed to see us.
Now Gayla picks up the story...

Our view from the window in our holding room

Waiting...

Public docket posted in hall

So we quietly enter the judge's chambers...all the Renslow's, Charlie Zeke, Charlie's bio dad, and grandfather, and Claudia.  Angel Claudia had packed some suckers for the little ones which were the perfect thing that kept them quiet during this most respectful time.  After the judge got some info from the attorney, he then first asked Leia to come before him!  She did great!  He asked her things like "If your mother took you out shopping, and she had only enough money to buy all your siblings treats but couldn't buy you anything on that trip, how would you feel?"  Leia did an excellent job answering the questions and kept her cool and remembered her "yes sir's".  You know Leia, always the charmer....I think she set the tone for the family! The judge interrogated Jimmy and the bio-dad and Claudia and then said, I have heard enough, come back on Thurs. for the ruling!  What we were expecting to take hours, only really was about 30-45 minutes.  We left feeling a huge weight off.  The judge complemented our family and we feel that he was in favor of the adoption!

These two days were terribly long and I hope to not have to repeat it again on Thursday, but I see how the Lord used this for us to get to know Zeke's dad and grandfather.  We took them to the photo shop while we were waiting and had their picture taken with Zeke.  This will be a great treasure to have that not many adopted kids have.  The grandfather gave us a picture today of Zeke with his mom and dad, grandfather, and aunts and uncles (which were sightly older that Zeke) just before his mom died.  What a blessing!

Well, I have given you the highlights.  To be honest, this day has felt sacred.  The odds were not for us but we knew God had decided how our family would be shaped before this day happened so I wasn't worried.  We feel grateful to our heavenly father who has held our hand through this whole journey.....boy what a trip.  We will update more on Thursday!