Hannah, Jacob, Ashley and Toline
Ashley, Boston and Jacob
Good morning! We are at breakfast and then will head out to get our taxi to the Court House. Yesterday late afternoon we met with our lawyer and he went over in detail everything for today's proceedings. We will have the same judge as we had for adopting Jacob and Hannah in September 2003. We learned that the judge is really fitting us in - he initially wanted the court date to be last Friday and the lawyer told him we'd need more time to arrive here! The lawyer is a great guy and was very thorough. Emcilla and Boston were also at the lawyer's with us. Then all 10 of us came back to the hotel for dinner -Maddy the facilitator/translator from our agency, us four, then Emcilla and Boston, and Emcilla's other three children - all girls: Ashley age 10, Melissa age 6, and Toline age 3.5! We had a great time over dinner - Boston and the kids all had a great time playing, laughing - just so great to see. Boston was the most animated we have seen him yet. Emcilla also had him call me MaMa which was very sweet! Jacob and Hannah were following Boston around, and feeding him from their plates, etc. Pictures above are from dinner last night. Peter and I were talking this morning that this process is almost surreal - that today Boston officially becomes a Stenstrom! It was just on January 8, 2009 that we applied to JOH to return to the Marshall Islands to adopt another child. Here we are going to court to adopt Boston on June 1, 2009. We are thankful to God for paving the way for every step of this process!
Peter took the kids to the pool yesterday while I waited for housekeeping (we did get another mattress in the room and so are staying put and giving up on the mystery suites!) At the pool, Peter and the kids had more time to visit with Jacob's aunt who works in the restaurant, and also met one of her daughters, a cousin of Jacob's! When Jacob met Boston's sisters last night, I heard him tell them: I was born here, you know! It's great to see him so very proud of his heritage. Okay - breakfast is done, and I need to sign off for now! Love, Lois
Just amazing, these photos, your words - we are smiling for you all! It sounds like you're all eating and adjusting well, hope that's the case - and hope everyone is sleeping well too! Sending you blessings from across the ocean - take care of yourselves, miss you!
ReplyDeletexoxo Neil, Carol & Liana
By now, Boston is a Stenstrom. Happy Adoption Day. These photos are amazing. And I can see how the entire process seems so surreal to the two of you.
ReplyDeleteLoving your descriptions of the days and the photos are beyond belief. The children clearly are having a wonderful time getting to know each other. An experience they will never forget.
Boston looks like a little ham. So beautiful. Love his eyes- so much expression.
So thankful for your posts! Hugs and thinking of you.
Can't wait to hear about the court process, which is now over!
Hoping all went well.
Our love,
Congratulations. It's wonderful to be able to share your experience as it unfolds! It is so heartwarming to see the happiness on the faces of the children. Wishing you the best of days ahead. Peace and good cheer, Kim DiBernardo
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! What a cute little guy! Hopefully he is doing well adjusting to life as a Stenstrom! :0
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that Hannah and Jacob are enjoying their time in the RMI and able to meet birth relatives. Wishing you a wonderful stay as you get to know your new son! Enjoy your time, be safe, and keep blogging!!!
Congratulations! Can't wait to you get back home and we can meet him in person.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Stenstroms!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are great and it is wonderful to see all the children getting along so well. I'm glad everything is going so smoothly for you. I agree with Kerry, Bostons eyes are so big and loaded with expression.
I really look forward to your blog entries as today I checked three times before we connected. I love hearing about all your fun and your meetings with family.
Have fun stay safe and GOD BLESS
Jerry, Deb, Anamaria and Lydia
Congratulations! We are so happy for you. Boston is adorable, and those are some pretty huge smiles I see on Hannah and Jacob! What an amazing time you are having, becoming a family with Boston, and making special connections with H and J's birthfamilies. It just sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing your news--your excitement really comes through on your blog.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes! Kathy, Ray, Emma, and Nora
I've been thinking about you all. Congratulations! I love all your photos and the details about this trip as well as your 2003 trip. How neat to see so many of the same people and how special for J & H. Boston is so cute. Really a doll with those beautiful eyes and squeezable cheeks. And the smiles on all your children's faces are just so sweet!
ReplyDeleteWe're over the moon for you all and can't wait to hear more and meet your new son.
Love...Deb, Paul & Ella