It's final!

At 1:00 pm. today, our family stood before a Tarrant County judge and Kim Dong Joon officially became Dong Joon Andrew Borowski. As we walked inside the 324th District Court at the Family Law Center in downtown Fort Worth, we were surprised to find the courtroom decorated with balloons and stuffed animals (not your typical scene from Law & Order!). We were one of about a dozen families finalizing our adoption today, so it was a very happy atmosphere.

We were the second family to be called up to Judge Jerome Hennigan. Veronica had watched the children from the previous family sit next to the judge, so she immediately asked if she could "sit with judge." Judge Hennigan was flattered and let her sit right on top of the bench.

Order in the court!

After we were all sworn in (including the kids!), our attorney asked us a series of questions. Though the hearing was very informal and the mood was laid back, it was nonetheless emotional. I was asked if I "promised to be Dong Joon's mother and love him forever" - wow! What a moment that was! The "I do" couldn't come out of my mouth fast enough.

D.J. was a little overwhelmed by the whole process. The hearing unfortunately was during his regular naptime, so he was a little cranky when the whole thing started. Those of you who have been around a cranky D.J. know that he tends to squawk like a wounded seagull when he is unhappy or uncomfortable. When he laid his eyes on the balloon-adorned courtroom, his unhappy squawks turned into excited chirps, but he was still pretty noisy. He behaved himself through most of the questioning, but he did get a little restless at the end. I was hoping he was just excited and not intending to make a formal objection to the judge! He quieted down, however, when Judge Hennigan let each of the kids choose a stuffed animal to take home. He picked a polar bear and Veronica chose a turtle.

Judge Hennigan was satisfied with our testimony and signed our adoption decree. From this day forward, Dong Joon is legally our son. This day comes exactly seven months from the day D.J. and I arrived in Dallas after a long journey from Seoul. Erek and I cannot believe we get to be parents to this magnificent little boy. It hasn't been an easy journey, but it is so worth it. Every day with D.J. is a new adventure!

I must say, though, that as much as we are overjoyed about today, our happiness is a little bittersweet. I know I am and will always be D.J.'s mother, but I must always remember that I have not been the only mother in his life. Today I not only celebrate the fact that we have been made a family, but I also have to remember what his birthmother lost when she chose adoption for this little boy. I wish I could tell her how wonderful D.J. is and how grateful we are to have him in our lives. We are also grateful to his foster mother who took such wonderful care of D.J. for seven months of his life. Because of the love and care she gave him, he has adjusted easily into our home and attached to us very quickly. Adoption does mean new beginnings, but I want to make sure that D.J. knows about his life before us and honors the two women that were his "ummas" before me.

Erek and I plan to always celebrate every June 8 as our Family Day. For the kids, today was very exciting, but it will be a while before they realize how significant it really was to our family. By the time we got back to the car, they were poking each other, fighting over toys, and laughing afterwards, just like brothers and sisters do. We wouldn't have it any other way.