Ella’s Re-Adoption Day was yesterday! It was relatively quick and easy, which surprised us. We decided against hiring an adoption attorney and I did all the paperwork myself; I figured that after compiling a dossier I could do anything! It was a wise decision because our documents were flawless and the meeting with the judge went smoothly; we certainly did not need a lawyer there to represent us.

I didn’t know what to expect going in, so I was pleasantly surprised at how it all was handled. My county must set aside one morning every so often just for re-adoptions. We exited the elevator at our destination and saw a group of families; all different colors and ages. Ella instantly wanted out of her stroller and made her way to the kids. She found a little girl who was a few months younger than her who had on the same sandals. Well…if you know my shoe loving daughter, you know how thrilling this was to her! She proceeded to stomp her little foot next to the little girls’ foot to illustrate the amazing fact that their shoes matched! :)

Each family was taken in separately and led through the courtroom into a small room behind the large courtroom. The judge confirmed our identities and the fact that we do, in fact, understand what adoption means, etc. Then he said our case was good, we are fit to be parents and he was in favor of the re-adoption. Then we were asked if we had a camera, pictures were taken and we were done. Good thing because my little miss was nearing her nap time and her snack was the only thing that was allowing her to hang on.
I’m very glad that the day went smoothly, but it did nothing to cement Ella to us as her parents. That was done many months ago and yesterday just felt like a legality. Now we will have her legal name change documents and can get started on changing her Vietnamese name to her American name (which includes her Vietnamese name,) but the moment we first saw her face on the computer screen she was ours. Aside from changing her name on her social security card, citizenship papers, etc. and sending in our regular letters to Viet Nam, we’re getting very close to the end of the paperwork road, and that feels wonderful!




Related Links:
Read all the "Life With Ella"s
Readoption-part 1
Readoption-part 2 - The Advantages