First of all congratulations
Finalization day was like the beginning of the rest of our lives. We could put all the fear, caseworkers and court dates behind us and just focus on being a family. A very happy family!
Our finalization was great. It was on a much laid back floor of the court house (they do all juvenile and domestic cases at the same place). It was clean and pretty and the only people there were finalizing adoptions. It was great for all of the pictures I insisted on taking
We were joined by my mom and mother in-law, aunts, cousins, friends and all the caseworkers our kids had while in and out of the "system". The judge was great and very friendly. She allowed our family and friends in the court room for most of the hearing. She started out by reading our children’s birth history (with just DH, the attorney and I) and asking us if we understood all of it. She also asked us to explain all of the children’s negative behaviors and if we were able to handle them. She also asked a few questions about the future and what we will do if this or that happens. They were questions about behaviors there past could cause. She then allowed everyone back in and asked the following questions:
Tell about each child and why they are special.
Tell about when we knew they where part of our family.
DH had to tell about my parenting strengths and weaknesses and me his.
Tell how our families have accepted the addition of the children.
She also asked the kids why they wanted to be adopted. (This was very touching)
She then asked our family and friends to all say a little something if they were in favor of our adoption. (This was also very touching)
I of course started crying as soon as I had to state my name
LOL! The judge joked she knew I was a crier as soon as she saw me. I am sure there were a few more questions for us and also for our adoption worker. However like I said I am a crier and I am having a hard time remembering it all. These to me were the most important. She did ask several questions about being able to support them financially.
After she announced the finalization of our adoption she had each of the kids sit in her chair and hit the gavel one time to declare it official. She then posed for many pictures with us and the kids. Our attorney took them all and printed them for us before we left the court house.
It really was a wonderful day. We are so happy to finally be a forever family.
I hope I helped a little.
Lacy
Finalization Day ?????'s 
