Good news from our attorney!

Troy has talked with our attorney over the last couple of days and received some very good news! As some of you know, we have been waiting for one specific curator to file her report regarding Donovan's notification. She was assigned in May and our attorney had not hear from her or received a copy of the report. Well, come to find out, she had filed the report in August, but it was misfiled somehow. Donovan and his attorney were both notified on June 23rd that they had 20 days to file to necessary paperwork to contest the adoption. At that time Donovan told the curator that he was going to contest it, but as of this morning still has not done that. According to the law, his time is up...but we have a very liberal judge assigned to our case that tends to favor the rights of the birth parents rather than the adoptive parents. If the judge follows the rule of law, then there should be no reason the finalization can't go forward. If he were to choose to give Donovan another chance, then we would still have to follow the judge's ruling on that.

After getting specific dates of contact from our attorney and on his advice, we are going to proceed with the finalization beginning December 5th. (Our attorney now has ALL of the documentation he needs to proceed with the finalization). That will be a full 6 months from the last date of contact from Donovan or his attorney. Our attorney feels like waiting 3 more weeks, will just help our case. He feels very confident going into the finalization that if contested, he can prove that Donovan has not acted responsibly since the time of Mark's birth. There are several things he "should have done" in order to show care and intent for the child. None of which he has done...Praise God!! If he did contest it, the next step would be determining paternity, which was never done.

We believe God is working out every detail for us to become the legal parents of Mark, although we feel we have been his parents from before he was born. We ask that you continue to pray for the finalization process and that God has truly changed Donovan's heart to not contest the adoption. What a day of rejoicing in the Lord(Psalm 33) we will have when the judge signs the legal documents to make Mark "officially ours."

Thanks to all of you who have been traveling on this journey with us and seeing God in every step of the way. We are blessed to have family, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, that we don't know personally, praying for all of us and our attorney.

Halloween

Although Mark didn't go trick-or-treating, he did get dressed up...in more than one costume!
This one he wore most of the day.







This one was very warm...but too cute not to put on him for pictures :) Mom had fun anyway!!!

Our recent trip to see family

Traveling with an infant was much more "interesting" than it ever was when it was just the two of us! I guess I didn't realize just how much more luggage you would need until we were charged for exceeding the weight limit in Denver! The positive part is that most people are kinder and more sympathetic when you have a baby with you...even if he does look like a toddler! We found the people in Phoenix to be much nicer, friendlier and lenient than they were in Denver. Yes, I was just as surprised as you are :) At one point I even asked a TSA official in Denver if he was having a bad day. (He didn't respond) Mark did very well on the flights, it was the car rides that he disliked; therefore we disliked! We found that if mommy sat next to him and entertained him, it would be a better trip for all of us. Although some may think he won, how many hours in car can you stand with a crying baby before you realize, nobody wins!

Mark got to see snow for the first time. He wasn't very excited about it though!










Mark got to meet all of the great grandparents that he hadn't met before. Super Nana was in Tennessee so we did not get to see her this trip :( Here are some pictures of Mark with aunts, uncles, Nana, Papa, great grandparents, as well as cousins!



With Aunt Grace. He laughed a lot with her! Hard to believe I know :)





Mark with Popop, grandma Judy and uncle Gary. Uncle Gary (aka smurf) had to fly a patient down to Ft. Collins, so Mark got to meet him early and see his airplane.






Here he is with Aunt Jan








Mark and Aunt Tonya. His grin says it all!
We had a wonderful time in Lander. The weather was great and we were able to spend time outside and take a walk.






Tonya's dog, Buck, was hoping he found a new friend to play catch with. He figured Mark had a hand to throw with, he was set!








Mark enjoying the feel of real grass...not Arizona crab grass!








A very happy Nana!








And Papa!








Mark with Grandma & Grandpa Harper. He really enjoyed the shirt that grandpa was wearing. He was mesmerized by the colors.







Mark with uncle Scott, aunt Cindy, Ethan and Lance






With uncle Cavin and aunt Diane








With cousins Brian, Thomas, Wesley, Daniel and Annalise







There were many others that we were able to see and spend time with that we did not get pictures of. We are learning that the camera/bag is going to be now be another "purse." Thanks to everyone who went out of their way to see us. We had a great time catching up and introducing Mark to you!

6 month Pictures

Look at those muscles!










Here comes trouble!










I look GOOD in red!












Our smiley boy :)