Today was our U.S. court adoption. Our adoption agency requires this to be done within the 1st year of returning home with your child. Just to clarify she was 100% legally ours when we landed in Washington D.C. in January. This process is done so that a U.S. birth certificate and ss number can be issued. lWhen a family leaves Ethiopia the child has been given a first name and the middle name is the first name of her adoptive father. We decided to have E's name changed today also. Her first name remained the same, but we took out my husband's name and added Hannah Jimma for her middle names. Hannah after my grandmother and the place she resided while in Ethiopia, Hannah's Hope. Jimma was also attached to her name because she is from Jimma, Ethiopia. Little Miss Shine's name is no longer EC, but E Hannah Jimma.
We celebrated with ice cream today. But, later this month I plan to cook a traditional Ethiopian meal to celebrate with family.
A year ago today I was praying for this little girl across the ocean that I only knew from a few photos. My heart ached to hold her. Now I am able to hug, kiss, play and laugh with this precious little girl every day. Thank you, God, for this sweet baby girl. She is truly a blessing to our family.
