Nov 14, 2008

Making It Official.

Hey, guess where I am?

The great state.

What? You still don't know? I said the "great state." That should be a dead give-away.

TEXAS!

I'm in Texas! And do you know why?

Because today, right now in fact, as you are reading this blog, I am sitting in a courtroom waiting for a Texas judge to announce that the adoption proceedings for "one Rocklin Cooper Radke are official and finalized according to the state of Texas and the court of law. God bless us, God bless us all. So say I. And yada yada yada."

I can't be sure it will be said exactly like that, but that's how it plays out in my mind.

And then he will ask us how we feel about raising Rocco. And then he will ask to see him. But unfortunately Rocco will not be there because traveling with him means traveling with Remi and traveling with Remi means traveling with a band of wild, drunken gypsies.

So I will say, "Oh, your honor - we couldn't bring him, because his sister is really bad. So he stayed home with his Grandma and Bonga but we did bring some pictures."

And then he'll say, "Well, I'd love to see one."

And then I'll say, "One? That's rude. Cause I have 18."

And then he'll say, "Well, I don't know that I can spend time looking..."

And then I'll interrupt and say, "So here we are at the grocery store. And here we are at the Fall Festival and here we are..."

And then the judge will hit his little stick thingy on his desk and then it will be over. And Rocco will be mine - all mine - in the court of law. Which to be perfectly honest, and I mean no disrespect, is a perfectly wonderful thing but changes nothing in my heart.

The boy's been mine.

And then I will look in the back of the courtroom and see Nonie and Poppy (because they will be there with us - which is rather amazing considering they came out to be with US, just US, even though they knew their grandchildren weren't going to be coming. Don't you just marvel at the fact that miracles still happen?) And I will look back and see Nonie crying and Poppy
beaming with pride.

And then the AG and I will let them take us out for a good Texas steak. Because it would do their hearts good to treat us like that. And I just want to please.

And then we will get on a plane and come right back home because I will need to squeeze Rocco extra hard and remind him that he and I don't need a silly judge to tell us that we were always meant to be.

And then he will smile that little crooked smile at me like he does whenever I say, "Rocco, it's your mama," because he thinks it's silly I still tell him that when he so obviously knows.

And then we will fall asleep.

Together.

Have a good weekend, my lovelies. So say I. And yada yada yada.

38 comments:

Trish said...

AMEN!

ugagirl30 said...

Rocco is such a blessed little fellow! And you are such a blessed little mama.

Katherine Page said...

Welcome to TEXAS! Not sure where in texas but welcome and CONGRATS! This is an exciting day but yes he is and was already yours. Such a wonderful thing. Be blessed and have a wonderful celebration today.

T said...

What a GREAT day!!Rocco and Remi are the luckiest kids in the world, to have a momma like you! Welcome to Texas, now come over and cook me some of you fried food!!! Lol....have a great day!

Sheri said...

Congrats! I hope you are keeping a journal for your babies . . . one of my favorite things to do (at 32) is to read mom's old journals about how much she was yearning for a child, and then the experiance in getting me, and . . . it's just amazing. Congrats again!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That was fast. In Indiana, we have a 6 month waiting period, even if you were the foster parent of that child for years. But I'm glad you didn't have to wait!! Congrats and may God bless you with years and years of joy.

Laura Marchant said...

Whoo hoo! Congrats.

Anonymous said...

That story is what makes the world so good. That is one blesses Rocco and Remi. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy that baby~

Anonymous said...

Blessed...not blesses. Im sure you knew that. I need a cuppa sumthin!

Anita J. said...

Well let me offer a great big Texas CONGRATULATIONS!!! It's gloomy here in TN. Hope it's sunny there It's a beautiful day either way though, huh?

Sharon's Journey said...

I believe the "little stick thingy" is called a gavel.

Anyway, welcome home, at least for a while. Glad Rocco's part of the Fam officially. And might I just say that adoption is a wonderful thing:

"He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will" Eph 1:5

Amy said...

Oh Happy Day Melissa! I know it is good to have it done, for good. Congratulations!!

katylinvw said...

woo hoo! praise the Lord! :)

A Mothers Heart for China said...

Congratulations! I have been reading and lurking, just with 7 kids and one husband life is spinning by very fast! I am so thrilled for you, what a blessing. Isn't it remarkable that in everything else God does that he was able to know exactly where you and Rocco were and place you where you both needed to be to have ach other. I am so happy for you!

Kim

Rhonda said...

I am so frigging EXCITED for you!!!!

Give Rocco an extra squeeze for me and tell him that Auntie Rhonda adores him too!

lol

Kristan said...

That's awesome!! Congrats!!! You are too funny!! Eat some steak for me...yumm that sounds so good, and it's only 10 in the morning!!

Lynda said...

Woohooo! We adopted our daughter in a Texas courtroom, too, and it's pretty much how you imagine it will be. Our girl, however, was 14, so she got to be there AND got to throw in her two cents, too.

May God continue to bless your amazing family!

Leighann said...

What a great day. Congratulations.

Amy said...

Just found your blog! You are so funny! If you get a chance. . .jump on over to my blog and participate in Naked Friday! It's so refreshing! I will be tuning in to Stretch Marks from now on!

Blessings,

Amy

Anonymous said...

First I have to agree with you that Texas is THE GREAT STATE! Second, what a blessed day! What a blessed little boy, What a blessed family!

I have to tell you that I read your blog every morning and it always brings tears to my eyes, usually from laughing so hard, but many times it's tears of joy and inspiration!

My day just wouldn't be the same without ya!!!

Ashley said...

I just never know whether to laugh or cry at your posts. You for sure have got me doing at least one of those each day. Congratulations on this momentous occasion of a judge telling you what you already knew! ;) We are so happy for you!

Anonymous said...

You touch my heart each time I read you (yes, even with Bond. Great date movies). God has truely blessed you & your family. And you continually bless each of us when we read you. I sat with my friend in her foxhole on Wednesday. Love you every day, Karen in MN

Lacey in the Sky said...

AMEN, MELISSA!!! I'm so stinkin' happy for you and your other soul mate Rocco! Have a safe trip back!

Robin said...

Happy Making it True What You Already Knew Day!! Congrats to you and your family.

Melissa said...

I'm so happy for you. He is the cutest little guy. I can't wait to watch him grow! You're such a good mama!

Sissy said...

Congratulations. I know this has been a summer and fall filled with both heartache and joy. My husband and I are just now entering into the beginning stages of the adoption process, and it seems exciting and scary at the same time. I have loved reading your posts about the adoptions of your children and hope to have some of my own eventually.

Unknown said...

And they lived happily ever after.....

Congrats!!!

Anonymous said...

And so it will be.

The Beauty Bargainista said...

I thought Texas felt a little more fun today! :)
Congrats on your final "yada yada yada"!

Also, I am having a giveaway over at my blog, I would love for you to come check it out! :)

Rhea said...

Congrats! I'd take you out for a Starbucks or something if you were near me. (I'm in Texas, but probably not where you are.)

Tracy P. said...

That is one happy picture you just painted. Hallelujah!

Breanne said...

That will be so great!!

Aja Jenise said...

Yeah party-hardy!

Merrie said...

God bless you and your beautiful family. :)

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

You are all so blessed!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Momma! I'm so happy for all of you.

one frugal lady said...

Okay, I just found your blog today, and took a look around. I just love it! I am so glad someone else thinks exactly like I do! Keep up the great work!

Jenn said...

Congrats! God is so amazing. :)