ordinary extraordinary thursday - it's a girl!

It's hard to put into words what happened on Thursday.  In some ways everything changed. In some ways nothing is different. We drove to Gadsden, Alabama, a judge signed some documents and now Zoe is officially a Cash.  3 hours there, 20 minutes in the courtroom, 3 hours back.  It was well worth the drive (and the Cracker Barrel breakfast on the way was delicious). 

This picture (below) makes me laugh...I was standing up with Zoe (cause she was a little fussy) and then we were supposed to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - I actually have no idea if that's what the judge said...I just said "I do." (but my face is saying "I've never done this before..." - and I love that Caroline is holding up her hand - granted it's her left hand but she is holding it up nonetheless)...but I don't think we were supposed to be standing up...

...but wonderful Nick stood up with me.  (as he does.  i love him standing with me...and me standing with him.  together with him is my favorite place to be.)

And then our lawyer told us we could sit down :)

I had imagined things a bit differently - the courtroom was much larger in my imagination (think something from a John Grisham novel/movie).  There definitely would have been a little lady in the corner typing notes (think Ethel Beavers from Parks and Rec).  And we would have made more vows (think wedding...love and cherish 'til death do us part).

It was all rather simple (as we had been told!  Fabulous Emily from Lifeline had assured us that "this wasn't a day for surprises" - the judge was making official what had already been decided).  We were asked our names and occupations...a couple of seconds later our lawyer (that's funny to say...we've never had a lawyer before!!) gently and calmly said "I'm watching the judge as he signs...Zoe Grace is officially yours."  

And that was that.  Lawyer Bob and Judge Junkins started talking about football.  

We took some pictures.  (well, mainly Sweet Libby, Bob's assistant, took some pictures)

And then...a tremendous thing happened.  Judge Junkins gave Zoe an elephant.  A sweet gesture, for sure...but, even more than a sweet token of this special day, that elephant is a Holy Reminder that God is and has been a part of this entire adoption process.  I've loved baby elephants for a long time (part of the reason behind my blog header)...and come to find out, Zoe's birth mama loves elephants, too....and somehow God used elephants to confirm her decision to choose us as Zoe's parents. Maybe some day I'll know the significance of the elephants that have been a part of Zoe's life and Melinda's decision to choose us...maybe someday I'll get to hear the whole story.

Yes, she is officially ours. But by all Kingdom measures, she has been ours all along.  She became ours when Melinda chose us to parent the baby she gave birth to. She became ours when she came to our home from the hospital.  But REALLY really, she is His.  His design, His creation, His beloved baby girl, His delightful daughter....we're just the lucky ridiculously blessed ones that get to share life, home and love with her.

Zoe Grace Cash.  I like the sound of that.  ZGC.  Those are some lovely initials.

All day Thursday I couldn't get one of my favorite African Worship songs out of my head -- "Great things He has done, greater things He will do.  Unto the Lord be the glory.  Great things He has done."

Here's a link if want to listen to it and get a taste of African worship (this is the only version I could find on youtube...I wish I could share a version from our friends from the ship - no offense to this version but Koffi and George and Emmanuel and Clementine do it way better!) Unto the Lord

If you happen to love that worship, here's a link to Some more favorites

We came home to balloons on our fence and later our community group gathered to celebrate Zoe's last name being Cash...and there was delicious food, fabulous fellowship (including a certain dave-o in Australia!) and fireworks - along with some thoughtful gifts shared!

I hope our neighbors have forgiven us for the noise.

And life has continued on as usual.  Nothing has changed.  Everything is different.

Surely there will be more to come.

thankfulness is always a good idea.

• hunt brothers pizza (again)
• time in the car to listen to podcasts (6 hours!!!)
• having a friend call to share that she had confetti cake for breakfast (i'm so proud!) 
• how much these 3 enjoyed looking at their artwork on artsonia

• when eli wants to talk to us about stuff
• pouring rain + avett brothers 
• when a friend does something incredibly difficult but oh so brave and oh so right
• grandaddy and zoe at bareware pottery - it's a cash kid tradition to get your foot painted and stamped on a tile

• fresh flowers (and how long they've lasted...more cool points for aldi)
• one unsatisfied guest isn't the end of the world (my worth and identity have nothing to do with the opinions of people!)
• praying with LJ
• emma brought fresh out of the oven cookies to me on the porch (nicely presented to boot!)

• the fun/joy of having kids sleepover (it's fun to be able to say yes)(and it's fun when they go to sleep at a timely hour)
• velocity. so very thankful that eli and caroline have chosen to join.
• ok sun.  it's more than ok. that rice is the best. as is date night. 
• the fabulous ladies going to cyprus and the work God is going to do through them

• caroline's popcorn making skillz
• when a kid makes a mistake but immediately does the right thing in confessing it/making it right
• time with suzie - she has a way of making people feel valuable
• the judge gave her an elephant...God reminded me of His presence and approval

• time in kingdom kids
• the ease of turning in the paper work at dfcs on tuesday
• sincere compliments
• all things adoption are official and final (blog post to come...)

trusting the promise that He inhabits the praise of His people

• clean clean car
• perfect stool for the cottage (at the perfect price)
• jeanie's kindness to bring another meal (including cake balls!)
• Truth and a new vocabulary word all in one Bible verse

•  good goodwill finds
• full of community saturday
• chips & salsa & cheese dip with emma
• emma's science lessons at clearwater pools

•  yaya's willingness to keep all 5 kids so that we could come to the new room conference
• thoughts of awakening
• when mail gets to the place it's supposed to be going
• airbnb guests with good suggestions (sugar)

• the chance to miss kiddos
• jim & nick's tasty bar-b-que (and the reminder of good friendship)
• "we have cosmic companionship" - martin luther king jr.
• water bottles + blow pops + thank you notes 

thankity thanks thanks

• a husband who calls for no reason, loves me so much and is all around incredible
• "Christ Be All Around Me" song by All Sons and Daughters
• "Africa Bingo" for a friend who is headed that way
• Andrea's fabulous drawing of our family (nick's tie is looking good!)

• hand me overs from april 
• renovated bathroom! i really like it. 
• "we don't make decisions based on what's best for us...we make decisions based on what's best for the gospel." - francis chan
•  the way caroline grabs life sometimes

• "seems like the more barriers i put between me and social media, the better." -tyler huckabee
• kids making smoothies 
• time with carey. 
• cool kids on the top of the car

• emma's prayers
• the way time with God is always ALWAYS good and refreshing and helpful
• getting to share about my plethora of journals to kids at CCC 
• what a fabulous big sister caroline is

• LJ's writing/words about kindness
• popcorn with chocolate drizzle
• eli's lack of complaints as the braces were put on and have been settling in
• little escape with a cappucino blast (and an hour all by myself!)

gifts gifts gifts

• emma's help with my thankful list
• island cabinets and drawers are in! (not quite done...but a million steps closer than we've been since about january)
• surprise starbucks and meaningful conversation with amy 
• good reminders:
  
  
• so much happy slime making
• the box had another small t-shirt to send to april
• rob's hospitality and generosity
• bonus day on the bouncy house and bouncy water slide

• successful TA retreat
• community group.  good food, rich discussion, authentic sharing and praying
• "you're just the kind of daughter i hoped i would have." - what a realization to have about my lovely caroline.  
• caroline swimming in socks...just because.

• theological discussions in the car with an 8 year old, a 9 year old and a 10 year old
• yaya.  i really love her.
• caroline's impersonation of eli's handstands...and how much it makes all of us laugh (eli included)
• good stuff from brene brown
  
  
• the girls' journals that we pass back and forth (and the thought that i'll get to have one with zoe)
• "your obedience to God's call can't be based on your own ideas or other's opinions of what you should do." -pam parish "ready or not" (foster care/adoption devotional)
• connecting with the lady at the post office in cataula (and how convenient to LJ's school and not too busy that post office is!)
• found it: