Photos & story from the adoption decree
Posted by Michelle on Jun 12, 2005 in Hayley, Michelle
We are flying on several trips this summer and I had some concerns about what last name to put Hayley under since the adoption finalization could be done anytime from the end of May until the end of August (90 days to 6 months from when your lawyer files it all). And with all the new airline security, I didn’t know what she needed to have. Well, I called the airline and they said it wasn’t a big deal if she was traveling with parents. But I decided that was a good idea to try to get an update on our decree anyway because we have next to nothing that says she is our child.
I call the special proceedings dept at the clerk of court’s office. 45 minutes of waiting while I actually fall asleep and am awakened by their answering the line. Of course, they can’t ask and transfer me to a Ms McMillan. She’s not there, I don’t get her VM but end up in no mans’ land of their phone system. Frantically I push numbers to find ANY human so I don’t have to wait 45 more minutes. I manage to get someone who gets me to the front desk who gets me to Ms McMillan’s voice mail. I don’t have high hopes are all of this but I leave my name on her voice mail.
In 10 minutes later, she calls back. She starts very efficiently and I’m worried I’ve really screwed up and bothered her, that she is going to take our paperwork, step on it and put it at the bottom of the pile. However I’m wrong, she warms up – seems she’s been getting some snotty calls and when I didn’t appear to be one of those, she is charming and so helpful!
Turns out, she is the person who does the decrees personally and going to do the final decree for us the very first week it can be done – basically on the 91th day. She confirmed the file was complete with all the paperwork from our lawyer, Hayley’s social worker and our social worker. Then she offered to call me when it was done and I can just come pick it up!
The week finally arrives and I call her to follow up. She’s had to cover for some people out of the office and is behind but will get it done that week, she promises. And on Thursday, May 26th she calls me at 11am to let me know about 10:30 am Hayley legally became our child forever and is now named Hayley Elizabeth Hillison. You could not wipe the smile from my face and Hayley was tickled too – not as much because she thinks of it as her name and her forever family already.
I grab the camera and we head on down to downtown Raleigh, which I abhor after working downtown for the N&O. One way streets, parking decks, loud/drunk/crazy people, all very annoying but I was in such a good mood I didn’t care!
We parked and started taking fun pictures. We got to go through courthouse security – she thought she had to go INTO the xray machine on the conveyor belt. We head up to the 12th floor and around to Special Proceedings.
I ask for Ms. McMillan at the desk and turns out it is Miss Cookie herself there waiting for us. She comes out from behind the big desk unit as if we had been friends for a long time and we gleefully hug. She gives me the papers and it is all done! She takes a photo with Hayley and with me.
Then she shares her special story about why doing this job means so much to her, especially cases like Hayley’s. I’m almost in tears as she asks for copies of the photos. She’s only been doing the job for about five months and since everything is mailed out, she doesn’t get to be a part of many happy moments. She really made our day extra special.
Hayley and I grabbed lunch at Zaxbys and then made bead necklaces at BeDazzled over in Cary – or as Hayley calls it, the Pink Store as it is all pink inside. She made a necklace with her new name and picked me out some of the same beads that said M O M. And we met a wonderful grandmother with her daughters and ended up sharing our story with them. The grandmother was in tears and hugging Hayley. Having people share in your joy is awesome. She prayed for us even which was so kind.
We then saw a fabulous clothing boutique for kids with a moving sale. And you know we hit the heck out of that! Everything was 30-60% off! $250 later we had a ton of gorgeous stuff that should have cost $400.
We met up with Jeff at home and he made a funny, silly big deal about the paperwork that made me smile. And then we went out to Outback for dinner. I really wanted to go to Ruth’s Chris but Hayley wouldn’t have enjoyed it, so we wouldn’t have either… I was craving steak so Outback it was. Then we went over to friends, goofed off and went to bed at like 11pm.
Thanks to everyone for their comments and well wishes. I love you all! So many of you went though the infertility journey, then adoption journey and now that part of our lives is over. For all of you still waiting – HAVE HOPE & FAITH. It will happen for you too.
See more photos from this set:
Regular view (easiest to find one in particular or print)
Slideshow view (easiest to see them all)
