Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Officially a US Citizen!

We had our readoption hearing yesterday, and it is official, that Andrew is a US Citizen. Andrew came home on an IR4 visa which means we didn't make two trips, and we didn't meet him until he was already ours when we went over to Kyrgyzstan to pick him up. Therefore, that made him a US resident, and we had to do the readoption to make him a US citizen. We were running into some issues with him only being a US Resident, because he would be denied any medical help through programs through the state. Andrew needs a few surgeries and we needed to make sure that we have any medical help we can get. The judge for the proceedings was wonderful, and I was so glad that both my other children were there to witness this wonderful event in their brother's life. At the end of the proceeding, the judge asked us to take pictures, and the last one he wanted us to squeeze our faces together. I kept getting closer and closer to the judge, but he kept saying we were not all close enough. It didn't seem right to be that scruntched by the judge but it was his idea, and what a great picture. The day was something that we will never forget, and I can't wait to tell Andrew all about it one day!

5 comments:

Rachel said...

Congrats to Andrew! We've been through these proceedings twice (once for Alex to get readopted for a state certficate and once for Scarlett to be a US Citizen) and it's a wonderful feeling! He is such a cutie!

Gen 's Family Story said...

Congrats to you all! Isn't that one of the best feelings? He's grown up so much since you got him! I love the pudgy cheeks:)

Anonymous said...

Congrats Andrew and Stahnke family!!! What a wonderful day. You have a beautiful family. (i love the Hocking Hills too. So fun!)

Hilary Marquis said...

Congratulations Andrew!!! He just keeps getting cuter all the time :)

Mom to 2 Angels said...

Congrats on your readoption!