Yea! On Friday, April 16, Tae's adoption was finalized at our county courthouse and Tae became an American citizen. It was a fun "red, white, and blue day" to celebrate both his Korean heritage and American citizenship. and Tae loved waving his Korean and American flags all around:
During the short court appearnce the judge asked us if we approved one another adopting Tae, and then we signed some paperwork to make him forever our son!
We loved our judge -- she gave Tae a quilt made by courthouse clerks "to celebrate the warmth of family" and shook Tae's hand to welcome him into our family forever.
When we asked if we could get a photo with her, she said it was a rule in her courtroom that she got to hold the baby:
We were thankful for family and friends who joined us at the courthouse - they even got to sit in the jury box!
We are officially a family forever and ever!
We celebrated with a "red, white, and blue" party!
Mama and Uncle Mark were especially in the spirit:
And Tae happily continued his day with a yummy cup of milk. What a celebration for our red, white, and blue beautiful star!
More Tae parties Less Tea parties!
ReplyDelete---
Here's a fun story...with important details forgotten.... in 1999, I took my mom and some others to an off-broadway show called De La Gaurda. In the cast list my mom recognized the last name of one of the performers as being the same as the judge from my citizenship/naturalization ceremony in Des Moines. I can't recall if his bio mentioned Iowa or Des Moines, but she sought him out after the show and lo and behold, he was indeed the son of the Judge who presided over my ceremony. So think of this story when Tae takes you to a show 25 years from now.
Congratulations to all of you. We are trying to find the name of the judge from Sam's Naturalization. It was a very big day for all of us and one that we will always remember.
ReplyDeleteNorman Teigen
Minneapolis
Congratulations! You all look so happy.
ReplyDeleteThat judge has the best job ever - and sounds like she really enjoys it.