Adoption day, Nov. 5, 2010

Finally, the day was vastly aproaching and I had a lot to do... I got her adoption dress sewn out of her great grandmothers crocheted pillowcase, her shoes matched and were cream in color and crocheted as well. She wore light pink tights and Nana crocheted her headband with a large crocheted hot pink flower on it to match her dress. When we got to the court house, it was cool and the wind was blowing hard. I didnt realize it, but I was very nervous. We had to walk through a screening with the guards and have our purses and wallets checked. At the end of the line Linda handed me a wallet thinking it was davids and I placed it inside of my purse not even looking to make sure it was really his. Later I found that it wasnt his and linda picked up someonelses wallet.. LOL! I then realized I was a nervous wreck. I was shaking, and very out of it. We had a lot of family show up for this special day: NANA & PAPA, UNCLE B AND AUNT JC, COUSIN BRADEN AND HUNTER, GRANDPA BECKY CAME FROM NORTH CAROLINA, AUNT BRANDI CAME FROM CALIFORNIA, POP POP, LINDA, AUNT MELANIE(MOMMY'S BEST FRIEND)flew in from Alabama, PATRICK(DADDY'S BEST FRIEND), GREAT GRANDPA JERRY, AUNT LINDY. We counseled with our attorney Christie, and found out that I would be the one talking as I have been the one to have total contact with emmys tummy mommy, katherine. I really got nervous then. once we got called in, we walked in and sat down with several other cases..; mostly consisting of divorces. so it was kinda tense in there. It was cold, and very quiet. We were the first ones called, thank God... and we stood in front of the judge and I was asked questions by Christie that I was to answer YES to. Then I found out that Christie had another file mixed in with ours. I was astonished and paniced. but didnt know what to think... was all of OUR stuff in there??? whew... finally found out that yes all of Emmy's stuff was inside the file and all was good again. The judge was cold.. never making eye contact... wasnt friendly at all. He went thru all of the paper work finding Daddy's felony that was reduced down to a misdeamenor for excessive speeding on a motorscycle. We started panicing again.... talking about it in front of everyone.. and seemed to not be happy about it. I could feel my knees buckle... and remember shooting a really nasty look at daddy while he was holding Emmy.... I was sooo mad! This could keep us from adopting her. Never mind... he said it was a long time ago and WHEW.... it was a huge relief. We finally got the adoption granted and her name changed from: Journey Katherine Kindred, to Emmalyn Mae Journey Hitchings. It was finally over..... we took a fast picture with the judge... and he commented that this was the only good thing that they ever see in their court room that is fun and good to see happen. We went out of the court room and I balled like a baby! I couldnt stop crying. It was like a load of bricks were lifted off my shoulders... and all of those bad times, trials and tribulations all came to an end at that very moment. I was so happy to be officially Emmy's Mommy... and David to be her Daddy! Daddy hugged me tight for a long time and we both cried!!!! We love you Emmy Mae Journey soooooo much! You are ours as if we created you and gave birth to you ourselves.... nothing will ever take that away from us... and you are now our forever Daughter that we will cherish and never miss one single part of your life forever. We love you Emmy! We LOVE YOU!!!!!! so unconditionally, and soooo forever! I remember when I first laid eyes on you at 4 months old... and I said " that is MY baby... that is OUR baby!!!!! I new from the moment I saw you that you were meant to be with us as your family. I fought hard for you, and it paid off. I got my precious angel and will forever be grateful, loved and a very proud Mommy!