Easter Egg Roll

On Monday, Sarah, Josiah and I headed down to the White House (Yes, the one in Washington DC) and rolled some eggs. We arrived at the line at about 11:30 for an 11:45 entrance. We got searched and metal detected and wanded, which is always a treat but understandable.

After our wait on the outside of the White House gate and the unwanted site of snipers on the roofs of the surrounding buildings we entered the South Lawn to the sound of Yo Gabba Gabba, which Josiah immediately recognized and we all got our "sillies out".

We spied Sponge Bob, Curious George and Charlie Brown with his pal Snoopy. Abby Cadabby was there, along with the Cat in the Hat. We listened to Betty DeGenerous read us a story and color on a banner that will be hung in the National Children's Museum.

Such an awesome day, although we didn't get to see the President, we did blow kisses at the White House with hopes that one would come back (with a little coaxing from Sarah, Josiah reached in the sky and grabbed the kiss).

Blog for equality 2010

This week has brought thought of what it is we are going to do to celebrate our 15^th year anniversary. It is hard to believe that we have been together for that long. It has been a great 15 years and also I know that my 15 years have been different than a couple that actually was able to marry. There have been no anniversary cards from the family or a special 1^st year anniversary party etc…

We have had the support of our families pretty much from the beginning. There were times at the very beginning that I thought that I may never speak to my mother again, but things came around and I was able to come back to them slowly but surely. Even with this support I always knew that my relationship was not recognized and that it could be very scary if anything ever happened to either of us.

Fast forward 13 years… A child came into our family and all things changed. It wasn’t just about us anymore. We now have this wonderful son that requires every minute of our time, with no complaints. When he came into our lives he was 6 months old. At nine months we found out that his birth father wanted to contest the adoption. We adopted from VA and the laws in the great commonwealth of Virginia are very anti-gay and are very birth family friendly. For almost 2 years we traveled to VA seven times, each time hoping to God that we come home with our son and each time this was true. Even with the best lawyer in the world (which she was) I still had doubts. On September 12, 2009, all of the time limits and procedures had lapsed and we were able to file the papers for adoption in PA.

December 9, 2009 we gathered all of our families and drove to Greensburg and spoke to the Judge and he signed the papers. That little hearing was a piece of cake that was almost a laugh compared to the others that we went through over the past two years. That day was probably the best of the past 15.

With all of the things that are happening in this world I wish our elected leaders would take the time to hear a story like ours and see that we want nothing more than any other family.

Vacation time

We are actually heading to VA this weekend and not for court. It feels good to have to drive that far for something that we want to do. We have been setting up a meeting with JJ's BM for a few months now and we set a date and you know how time flies when something like this is coming up. I am really looking forward to being able to spend some time with BM and with JJ's brother. I think we all are.

JJ knows where we are going and for what reason. If he actually realizes what it means to have a brother, I am not sure, but I know that this will be an awesome experience for him and us and that we hopefully can take this and run with it.

Staying Home

I don't get to do it often, but when I get to stay home with my boy it is such a treat. Today I got to stay home with him mostly on our own. There has been no fussing, no fighting, no yelling.

We have had to listen to the singing Santa sing his three songs about 600 times, but that is okay. I have been able to tell him that Santa needs a break and he listens and I can turn it off.

Right now he has his improvised Santa suit on including hat (yellow fireman's hat) and belt (an old black scarf which is tied in the back.

He keeps on telling me, "I am not afraid. I did it!" Meaning he made Santa sing all by himself without running for his life (which is what he did for the first few days that Singing Santa was in the living room.

This time is definitely something I will always remember.

What's Next?

In the words of my son, "What's next?"

That's a great question!

We have many options. We can stop at one or we can choose to get back on the books and adopt again. Well that choice is a very difficult one to make and one that we still have some time to ponder.

It is important for Josiah to have a sibling, but at what time should we begin this process. We have lots of talking and thinking to do, but I think that we will be making this decision soon.

Well it's done

At 11:15 on Wednesday morning the Judge gave his order that we are officially the parents of Josiah. It was a very proud moment. I was so excited to hear those words. We got cute pictures with the Judge and Josiah got to play with the gavel.

It's funny because the moment we were done and all the pictures were taken the Social Worker asked us when we wanted to get back into the book. Yikes, we need to recover from this one first.

Big Day

Tomorrow is it! We are finally, finalizing! After 2 long years and 7 or so trips to Virginia, we are now finally saying I do. He will be ours for the keeps.

It is weird to say that it is over. We have been battling for so long I am not sure if we are going to know what its like not to battle.

More tomorrow.