This past Friday, E and I signed our petition for adoption. There was one moment of panic, when the notary at the bank wasn’t sure he could notarize the petition because E had no identification. Our social worker asked if he’d expect ID for a five-year-old, and while I understand the reasoning behind requiring proof of ID for opening a bank account–so it’s not using someone else’s info for nefarious purposes–this was an adoption petition. (Afterwards, she and I wondered exactly how one would try to forge such a thing and why; maybe because the actual kid wouldn’t consent, so I brought in a fake? And the social worker was in on it? Seriously.). In the end, he accepted E’s health insurance card, which has no picture, but had his name so was deemed good enough.
As of today the petition has been rushed with the rest of the legal stuff off to whoever needs it, so that we can be ready for our proposed finalization date: November 21, National Adoption Day! E is very excited about the prospect of the media presence, being on tv, interviews, etc. (He was asking the SW for a guarantee he’d be on the local news!). It’s actually a perfect day, for two reasons: one, the anniversary of when he moved in with me is Nov. 23, so it’s close; and two, our kids don’t have school the following week, so they won’t miss much by skipping school that day!
Hopefully, all goes smoothly from here, we get that date, and we can finally breathe a little bit easier!
birch & raven 