Hey lovely people on OSP! I am so thrilled, I need to share the news with everyone I can, and that includes you guys. We signed the adoptive placement paperwork today, and paid the adoption fees to adopt our three girls. They are offically no longer foster children... It was awesome, now they are adoptive children until we can get our court date to finalize!!! On a personal note (for those of you who have no idea how all this works)... Two of our daughters have been in foster care for almost 6 years, and the other for 1.5...it is such an amazing relief and joy for them mixed with grief and saddness. When you question the timing of things...God really is in the details. They (our older two) entered foster care the same year we started to try and start our family, 5 years later we would all meet. Our little one was born 1 month before we moved out to CA, 10 months later she would come to us. God's timing is truly amazing, even if we don't always see that. It is so surreal to finally be coming to the end, when we have waited for over 5 years to become parents. It is amazing! We are so incredably blessed. Many people tell how sweet we are for taking care of these children, but they could not be more wrong...they are OUR gifts and daily reminders of the grace of God in our lifes. It is an honor to get to be their parents. 3 down, only 500,000 to go. Thanks for reading!

Grace,
Crystal

Hi Crystal,
I am a newbie but I really wanted to congratulate you . Adoption is a wonderful thing.
God bless you !!!!

What a great gift! Congrats to you!

How absolutely wonderful! I am so happy for you! I am adopted and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Thank God for wonderful people like you!

Great News. You are good people and those kids probably couldnt have been more blessed to find you. The best of luck to you.

We are SO excited for you.

We love you very very very much.

*hugs*

congrats!

pictures, please!

This is such exciting news! Adoption is such a great gift of selflessness. I love your attitude about it! Big congrats (and let's see some pics!)

wow, 3 at one time! that must be a process, congratulations!!

CONGRATULATIONS! How exciting to have them be your OWN! My husband and I hope to be able to adopt someday! I second the request to see some photos! =) MElissa

We will post a TON of pictures the day of (or the day after) finalization. We promise!



(I don't dance, so you know I"m excited!) (Actually, my kids won't LET me dance, but that's another story. )

Wow. Congrats. Your HEART is in the right place. I know they are thrilled. Wish you the best and post photos.

Wow guys, thanks for all the awesome responses. Unfortunately we are a couple weeks away from being able to post pics. (those darn privacy laws are a pain sometimes) But soon...very soon. Today I went into their schools to change their names. It was awesome. Everyone in the office cheered when I told them the news, a couple of the ladies started to cry (they have known the girls for a few years) I then poped in and told our oldest, her response moved me. She said,"You mean I can sign the last name Coates now? I really do have a family now huh. (she then turned to one of the teachers and said) I am FINALLY wanted by my mom, it only took 14 years." Then she started to jump up and down with excitement, and gave me a big hug. She picked up our two year old and said,"You really are MY sister." Our two year old said "YES!" It was hiliarious. The girls are already picking out what to wear to court for finalization. It is starting to sink in.

Grace,
Crystal

Wow! I'm even tearing up and I haven't even met any of you! This is such a blessing, for both of you, as well as them. You all deserve each other. What an amazing blessing!

That totally made me cry. Everyone want/needs to be wanted. What a blessing for your all.

Laurie

Wow, Crystal! That was so beautifully said!

Congratulations!

How wonderful! Thanks for sharing the lovely news!

Wow, thanks for making me get all choked up at work, hon!

Crystal, oh how wonderful! Congratulations! This detail brought me to tears. Those beautiful girls are so lucky to have you in their lives and I know it goes both ways. Blessings to all of you and I hope that you all just relish in this awesome event.

Love! Carole

Oh wow Congratulations! What an exciting time for you all. What a blessing. How long have the girls been living with you?

We've had them for just shy of a year and a half now. We got them within a week of each other.

Congratulations Crystal!

(I'm a "chosen child")

Wow! Congratulations! Love that story about you telling the oldest. Totally got me crying (not hard to do). Seriously special!!!!

Faith

I love you guys.

Just thought I'd say it again. Hug the girls for me.

Hug yourselves too. We'll try to see you soon.

Thanks, Amber!

We love you too!

Wow, congrats!!