Gotcha Day

It's official!  We just got home (yesterday) from officially becoming a family of five!  We introduce the newest of the the Michaelis crew...Levi and Lexi!

Let's all get excited!  The story and all that follows will be in another post, but these two cuties, hand-picked from the LORD, came into our home on May 19th, 4 days after learning that they were coming to our family forever. 

November 15th.  That's what we were told would be the day to finalize the adoption.  Six months of three different agencies coming in and out of our home.  Everyone making sure we are adjusting, attaching, disciplining according to CPS rules.  All for our good, but quite unnerving at times.  Fire extinguishers, outlet plugs, baby gates (that Lexi actually got her foot stuck in and almost twisted it just five days ago).  Fire drills, medicine logs, weekly write ups, paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.  At times my spirit felt like grumbling, I felt overwhelmed, but now, it's all over!  And look what we have to show for it!  The Lord is merciful and was always quick to keep me in check when me flesh wanted to react ungratefully.


November 15th, two days before National Adoption Day which is always the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  Lots of adoptions taking place all month.  Forever ingrained as our "Gotcha day".

We all got up early and left to drive to Angleton.  Lots of things to do when we got there and so many emotions!  I am thankful to my brother Shane, who joyfully took my camera that I threw at him and took photos, as well as all the i-phones that contributed to this post.  My head was not on being behind a camera, that's for sure!

This was our adoption attorney, Amy Slaughter, whom we met that morning.  She told me she loves what she does and can't believe she gets paid for it.  Gotta love those people the Lord placed in my path!  She knew some of the family in strange ways...it was a morning of small worlds.

Paula Lucy, our CASA worker.  She would come have lunch with us and hang out like an old friend.  She was the advocate for the kids and reported back to the judge to testify in their behalf.  We got the thumbs up from her.  :-)

All of us with Paula.

This was our judge, Jeremy Warren, who knew Derek's uncle.  He was announcing all the kids to be adopted that day and everyone was clapping.  The room was so full that they split everyone into two groups and brought in another judge!

These were (and I can't remember the exact name) bikers against child abuse.  They brought bears and filled them with love, as they literally put a bear between a twosome and would squeeze a hug in it before giving it to a child.  So sweet. 

And the table in front of them was filled with gifts.  At one point I had to tell Levi that if he asked one more time when he was getting his gift that I wouldn't let him take it. 

Holla!  Our Arrow workers, advocates in our behalf.  Loved working with this agency that loved the Lord and desired for children to find their forever families.  Faitth was my monthly case worker (and now I call her friend) and Gregory was the man who paired us up with the kids. 

We went third in the group.  Everyone, including all our caseworkers and family, came forward to share in the event.  Derek and I were holding up our right hands to swear to tell the truth.

Out of order, right before we went up.

Amy would go around the room and ask each worker if they approved of the union.  It felt like a wedding, as adopting is a huge deal!  It also made me reflect on the enormity of what we were doing - promising to love, protect, and train up in the ways of the Lord, these children.  It's a huge job and responsibility! 

Amy was asking each of us to state our name.  Derek went first and answered a slew of questions.  Not a dry eye in the place, including Big D.  I almost lost it watching my sweet husband's voice quiver as he answered the questions of if we bonded and attached to the kids, would we promise to love them, etc.  If only every parent had to do this before rearing their kids.

Another one of us raising our hands.

Derek answering his questions.

Me doing the same.

Lots of smiles, lots of tears, lots of support.  Thankful for all that were a part of this journey with us!

One of my favorite photos of the day.  Pure joy on this sweet boy's face.  He kept saying all day that he was a Michaelis.  Love that.   In the arms of his earthly father.  So much symbolism on this day as our Heavenly Father holds us in His arms as He adopts us into His heavenly kingdom.  Praise Him!

The five us of with the judge after he announced the adoption complete.

Judge warren let the boys hit the gavel.

The beloved Rocky.  This was the kids' caseworker for almost two years and the man that chose our family when looking at all the homestudies. 

Baby Daniel, as the kids call him, was a champ that day.

The Peters' clan that came in from Conroe - Uncle Frank, cousin Mason, and Uncle Mark.

The cookie cake that Aaron and Elise got for the event.  What's a Smith celebration without one?

We don't have it often around here, so we indulge when we can.

Jwana was our CPS caseworker who came for monthly visits.  She was out of the office for recovery and came back early because she didn't want to miss the events of the day.  Love how these people are such advocates for their kids.

Crazy kids

I had a sweet friend send me a necklace when I got the kids and Levi's original spelling on it.  Since we changed his spelling to the current way, the biblical way, I updated the necklace.

Smith crew

Smiths and Morbys

Grandparents

Another of Rocky and the kids

Love this of the cousins

Gregory - the man is filled with the Spirit.  He was telling the reporter that was interviewing us that adoption starts when we answer God's calling.  All the court work was just man's doing.  Love his outlook.  If you are considering adoption, he's the man to move you over to the other side.  When I went to the mandatory adoption info class right after we got licensed i went up to Gregory and told him didn't want to leave.  I wanted to just sit there and listen to him talk.  Such an obedient man of God.  He said he has the best job in the world watching the Lord work in families.

Three generations

Not sure who gave this to us (we cam home with so many things), but I love what it says.

Our attorney gave this to us to remember that when we signed the dotted line we received two blessings.  The pen was to signify that.  Love it.

And we were on TV!  Follow this link to see this quick news cast.  Moved to tears hearing the other families that were there!  Such a neat testimony to the Lord.


Follow this link to read the article on yesterday's adoption.  Here's the info below.

ANGLETON — Six-year-old Justin Michaelis often prayed to have siblings. His mother, Shannon, became infertile shortly after giving birth to him.

“I’d pray to the Lord, ‘When could I have a brother and a sister?’” Justin said.

His prayers were answered Thursday when his parents adopted Levi, 5, and Lexi, 3, during a National Adoption Day ceremony in the Brazoria County Courthouse.

Six families adopted 12 children during the event, which celebrated the finalization of the adoption process for the newly formed families.

For Derek and Shannon Michaelis of Houston, the day culminated their almost one-year process of adopting the two children after they felt called through their faith to add to their family of three.

“We’re celebrating the Lord’s faithfulness,” Shannon Michaelis said. “It gives him all the glory.”

Catarino and Norma Torres of Angleton had to wait five-and-a-half years for the legal system to award them the rights to their two new sons, Colby, 12, and Jordan, 9.

“It’s a big relief,” Catarino Torres III said. “It was a long process.”

The couple also had been looking for a spiritual sign before beginning the process. They got it while sitting in a Lake Jackson movie theater after having a discussion over dinner about adopting. The first advertisement on the silver screen was for DePelchin Children’s Center, an adoption services agency in Houston.

“He said, ‘Well, honey, is that sign big enough for you?’” Norma said, laughing.

Each family met Thursday morning in the County Courts of Law No. 3 and No. 4 to answer questions and finish paperwork. Afterward, they shared hugs, handshakes and teddy bears that were donated by members of the Angleton Exchange Club and Bikers Against Child Abuse.

“It feels like I’m part of a family,” Jordan said. “I’m happy.”

More than 5,000 children will be adopted in November across the country during National Adoption Month, according to a Child Protective Services press release.

“There’s nothing more important than family,” said Cindy Ward, Child Protective Services board member. “We are relational people, and today we celebrate relationships.”

More than 6,000 children remain legally adoptable in Texas, said Gregory Wysingle, regional adoption coordinator for Arrow Child and Family Ministries in Angleton. Many come from troubled situations, but being adopted can provide them with a more promising path in life, he said.

“An adoption occurs when the family accepts the calling from God,” Wysingle said. “God’s blessing allows it to happen. These children will forever be changed.”

Geheard and Judy Jurek of Angleton adopted 6-year-old Christopher, who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They have been taking care of him since he was 7 months old.

“He’s a very special boy,” Judy Jurek said. “We fell in love with him the first day.”

Christopher is the first child the Jureks have adopted. They have been foster parents to 34 children over eight-and-a-half years. They plan to adopt a second child today, though — 22-month-old Anthony, who also has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy — during Harris County’s National Adoption Day event. Judy said many people have complimented her and her husband for providing for the two children with special needs, but she stays humble in taking any credit.

“I’m not a miracle worker,” Judy Jurek said. “But I serve a God who is.”

People must meet several requirements before adopting, including being deemed responsible and financially stable. They must attend training and meet with caseworkers who evaluate if the children are a right fit for the person. The process can take from several months to several years, Wysingle said.

“It’s just a beautiful example of people being committed to family,” said Gwen Carter, Child Protective Services spokesperson.

Michael Freeman covers the Angleton area for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0154.



Shannon Michaelis holds her daughter, Lexi, as she answers questions about their relationship Thursday during Adoption Day at the Brazoria County Courthouse.

 



Derek Michaelis looks down and smiles at his son, Levi, as they wait for the final word that their adoption is final Thursday at the Brazoria County Courthouse. Derek and his wife, Shannon, adopted two children on Thursday, Levi and his sister, Lexi.

Deer Valley with the Hughes

We went to Deer Valley, Utah with The Hughes last January.  A last hurrah before we each expanded our families through adoption (which we are 8 days away from finalizing!).

Since google reader jumped around, I will too.  Here are some good looking, I mean cold, people during lunch. 

Videos of the J-man, on Ontario.  Side story, we all thought it was a great idea to ski down the hardest green, Success, with the kids to ski school on the first day of skiing.  Neither child had warmed up at all.  Derek and Scott decide to go backwards with two crying hysterically children as they literally couldn't remember anything.  I hightail it down the mountain to get the ski patrol to go pick all of them up.  It took Justin a day or two to get over it as he did not want to ski down Success anymore.  But Ontario was another story, as he could do it all day.  Just need some confidence!  And no more skiing down to ski school on the first day.  We will be driving, thank you very much.

Where we stayed.  We absolutely loved the view, the convenience of ski in and ski out, and the company!

The steps out the master bedroom to shuffle about 200 yards to the ski run. 

Momma got cranky in the 20s weather and ice cold chill.  I needed some glove warmth during one of our breaks.

The lift we took to ski down to the cabin

And walking down these steps with boots, frozen feet, and children is also quite comical. 

Two only children that act like siblings.  Best friends in Deer Valley and fantastic for all the parentals to relax since they each had a buddy.

We got to play around in the snow after Derek and Scott took off for an afternoon of skiing.

Snow ball fight ensued

I play to win, if you didn't know.  Justin comes by it naturally.

Snow angels

Ahhh, the hot tub

We went to Silver one night on the town.  Scott picked us a winner and we loved every bite.

Ski school and a promotion to be a reindeer this year.

The dads would ski with the kids after picking them up for the day.  We had to stay close at first for all Justin who had a brief fright on Success.

Scottie and Audrey

Perfunctory pose

Not much longer for this family of three as they await their babies from China!  So thankful we got to relish in this time with them.

A puppet show put on by the kids. 

I. love. this. picture.

Daddies and kiddos

Audrey, Scott, and Mariana. 

Michaelis threesome.  Come January there will be 5 Michaelis skiers!  Or at least we hope so.

Photo of the six of us, taken while someone stood in the middle of a run with my camera.  A little crazy but we made it.

Notice Mariana and I hovered from behind at times.  Such a great mix - Mariana wanted to ski for a bit, was cautious with the kids, and got cold quickly.  Scott and Derek would push themselves all day, loving the freeze and the challenge.

View from the lift of our place.

We had to make this crazy 45 degree angle turn to get to the section of our cabin.  Let's just say the first time Justin and I attempted it I thought we would both just have to roll down.  But we made it.  Helping up kids that have their skis stuck and twisted while maintaining your own balance is still something I am perfecting.

Here it is.

Justin encouraging Audrey and Mariana down.

The sauna in the masters' bedroom.  Let's just say we all took advantage after tight knots in the body after skiing.

We loved the trip, and the Hughes are great to vacay with!  A nice blend of organized and laidback when you put us all together. 

When are we doing this again??