"Yes Sir, it is"

Four words that...

• Made my day yesterday
• Culminated 18 months of work
• Spoken by a 17 year old, made a grown man cry

Those four words were spoken by MaryAnna yesterday in response to this statement and question, made by the Judge in our Adoption Finalization hearing: "MaryAnna, in the State of Ohio, you are old enough to have a say in your own adoption.  You have signed a consent form agreeing to this adoption, but I need to ask you directly, is it your wish to be adopted by Paul and Trish Perger and become a part of their family forever?"

"Yes Sir, It Is."

For those of you who are newer to my blog, Trish and I adopted Chyenne, now 11 years old, almost two years ago.  MaryAnna is Chyenne's biological sister and we had regular visits with her that began before the adoption of Chyenne was complete.

About 18 months ago, the adoption of MaryAnna became a possibility.  About a year ago, it became a reality, but we have hit legal snag after legal snag over the past year, but yesterday we finally didn't hit a snag.  Yesterday the Judge finally signed the papers and MaryAnna became a Perger.  In every sense of the word other than Legally she has been one for some time, but now she is a Perger in every sense of the word.

The Judge, Trish, MaryAnna, Me, Chyenne, Jonathon

Unfortunately, Josh (my eldest, a student at The University of Akron) had a test and some papers due and he was unable to be with us.

Until Next Time,
Paul