Geeting prettied up in preparation for her big day! March 01, 2010
Sosi's re-adoption hearing at the Lancaster County Courthouse was on Monday. It was a bizzarre bolt of joy amonsgt a lot of sorrow, having peacefully lost Donovan's dad only the day before. Such is the cyle of life, I suppose. Or so they say. Our original hope was to make a celebratory day of of it, but exhaustion set in and it was about all we could do to throw on our dresses and show up on time. The judge made it official, sans gavel. After all of the paper shuffling of the last three years, I admit that I was hoping for a swift pound of the gavel just for the pomp. No such luck. At least the judge sported his black robe and we had to raise our right hands. Even if Donovan hesitated when asked our wedding anniversary date on the stand, the judge still thought he's a suitable papa (nice one, D). Thanks to super-dooper Aunt Jennie and Uncle Denison for coming along to root us on and take photos.
After the hearing with the judge, whose name we don't even remember. That's pathetic. Geesh, we were wiped.Six months to the day after having left Ethiopia with her, Sosina Donovan Witmer legally became Noemi Sosina Witmer. She is no longer a permanent resident here on an IR-4 visa, she is now a US citizen. We will soon receive her new US birth certificate and then we can apply for a Social Security number for her. And so we celebrate the extra-offical permancy of our daughter this week while mourning the loss of our father. Bitter sweet cycle, it is.
On the Courthouse steps after the hearing. 
Heeeeeee Haaaaaaaw!
After the hearing with the judge, whose name we don't even remember. That's pathetic. Geesh, we were wiped.
On the Courthouse steps after the hearing. 
Heeeeeee Haaaaaaaw!
7 comments:
oh my word guys, those pictures are awesome. mekonen said he LOOOVES Noemi's headband. She looks so grown up, especially in that first picture. i wish we got a court judge picture haha. so now that adoption number 1 is fully complete..... ;)
Amazing family. Amazing journey. Amazing God. Amazing life. May all the love and inspiration you have offered come back--twice. Peace,
Bill W
first- i am so sorry about your loss. many thoughts and prayers for your family.
second- YIPPEE! It's such a great feeling to check another thing off the proverbial (literal??) checklist. Yea Sosi!
third- please check on Sosi's citizenship status. I think there are national guidelines (so it shouldn't differ from AZ to PA) and kids brought home on IR-4 visas are STILL "aliens" until they recieve their Certificate of Citizenship. (Dawit's SS# even still has an "A" for alien after it on file). I'm more than happy to send you more info if you're interested. We were told that Dawit is "eligible" for citizenship now that he's readopted but he's not a citizen yet.
I hope I'm not stepping on your toes-- I just don't want Sosi to run into trouble somewhere down the line. (like when she tries to apply for financial aid for college ...) :)
peace and hugs,
Emily
I am so happy for your family in this milestone. We celebrated as a family in the adoption of our beloved granddaughter, Charis, at the end of December, and it was quite a big splash. It was extremely emotional for me because Charis's mama, our oldest daughter, Christina, was also adopted. And WOW! What an avalanche of memories crashed around my heart that day. I wish, for your sake and for the sake of memories that the sand in the hour glass of Dale's life could have been stayed just a little longer. But the circumstances being what they were, you would still have been exhausted. What a good feeling it is to finally have the adoption final, and we look forward to meeting your little girlie. I've been following the story, and it is an incredible account of God's wondrous timing, grace and enabling. You guys are an inspiration! And Noemi's Grandpa loved her and is still watching. Blessings. (Oh, by the way, -- I'm Donovan's Mom's cousin.)
Donovan and Julie: Not sure if you'd remember me. Patrick Leaman here and we lived across from each other on Charlotte St. way back when. Let me first say to Donovan: I acknowledge your losss. I lost my father to cancer some 8 years ago now. The situations were probably different, but losing dad is similar, significant, and something we share. Thinking of you all through the transitions. I was sent this blog to read Julie's review of your father. Good stuff. Then I see the story with Sosi. Wowzers. I got wrapped up in in. Blessings to all of you. As an FYI, our neighbor down the street is adopting from Ethiopia. We are bringing them down to the Ethiopian restaurant in Lancaster in a couple weeks.
Nice Seeing you online -
Patrick Leaman
pleaman@premiercompaniesllc.com
Oh... and I mean to also add that I hope it is OK that I forward your blog to them. I think they will enjoy it.
I should introduce myself first - I am Patrick Leaman's neighbor - Kathleen Politzer. My husband and I are adopting from Ethiopia and are waiting for CIS approval - the last piece of paperwork needed so we can get on the waiting list. I am sorry for the loss of your father - your story about him written to your daughter made me want him for my own grandpa. And congratulations on Noemi! She is a beautiful blessing.
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