Thursday morning we were on the road bright and early!

I had to have some interviews – the first with the Civil Affairs Director.  She asked all kinds of questions in Chinese.  Questions like, ‘Do you like him?”  “Do you really want to adopt him?” She asked about his education, therapies, our home.   And she asked if we would promise never to abuse or mistreat him.

They asked if we had chosen a new name for him and I explained about how much we loved my father-in-love and that we wanted to honor him by having a son with the same name.  The Civil Affairs director seemed especially pleased that he would have that honor.

Then she asked me to sign papers and then Vernon, since he is 13, had to sign as well.   By signing it meant that he was agreeing to be adopted. 

We waited while they printed our official Adoption Certificate and then we had the official ceremony…where he became  a Saunders – forever!!  

That’s the orphanage director next to Liberty.  The social worker is next to him and forgive me, but I can’t remember what the sweet woman’s role was at the orphanage!

So it’s officially official!  Vernon Leonard Saunders is our son.  I smile and tear up wishing my in-loves were alive to know!