It's Official

This Handsome Fella is officially, forever a Jordan and he even has a birth certificate to prove it!

 

Today on the 31st of July, in the State of Utah, Ellis' adoption was finalized.

 

 

Making the Jordan behind his name official and legal!

 

Adoption finalization can be a bit confusing because it makes it sound as if there was risk of us losing Ellis during the 6 months up until finalization.  Really that is not the case at all.  Back in January when Ellis was placed in our custody, his birthmother signed termination paperwork, legally terminating her legal rights.  At that point almost all risk was gone.  That is why "signing day" was so incredibly emotional for us and for her because that was when we watched her make her final, irrevocable, loving and self sacrificial decision to legally place Ellis in our family.  The adoption agency then became Ellis' legal guardian with us as his legal custodian.  While we had legal custody of Ellis is was our responsibility to make sure our post adoption placement visits with our social worker were completed and that was what the court needed to see in order for us to take over full legal guardianship as Ellis' official legal parents.  So finalization really is not related to the birthparents' rights but has to do with our rights becoming permanent and legal.  Just thought I would explain that as I know sometimes it can worry people to hear that it took this long for his adoption to be finalized.  He has been ours since that Placement Day but it really is exciting when every i is dotted and every t is crossed. 

We could not have any more important job than the one as your parents, Ellis and nothing brings us more joy than to know that God has blessed us with yet another incredible little baby to love. 

We love you so much.