An adoption finalization trip (in pictures)

In eastern Indiana, we passed through a solid 45 minute stretch of art. The remnants of an icestorm two days earlier. It was absolutely beautiful, but sadly the damage to trees was evident everywhere in fallen branches.


And another shot of the icestorm (the straight line ice in the forefront is actually ice on weeds along the highway fenceline).


Gotta love a candle store that is well lit.


Brandon busies himself during the 6 hour drive, unaware of the monumental change about to take place in his little life.


The dinky Homerville post office about 30 minutes from my former country home. Isn't it adorable?


And the Amish, whom we lived just 15 minutes from. Oh, how I miss witnessing that simple life on a near daily basis.


The kids were so excited to have a swimming pool at our hotel.


Adoption Day! This church sits just a block from the courthouse where we finalized our adoption. It also happens to be where Carl and I got married. It also happens to be where I attended school from 6th through 8th grade.


And the precise moment we've waited for since the day we set eyes on sweet Brandon Henry.


First photo as a new family: The family we always were in our hearts is now the same family in the eyes of the law.


Happy Gotcha Day, sweet boy!


And Brandon enjoys a piece of cake for his big day.


And a view of the winter storm that pounded northern Ohio while we were there (out my parents' window).


Reece sits on Nana's counter to watch the breadmaker do its stuff.


It's been a great trip, but Brandon is ready to go home (he dragged this heavy bag from my parents' bedroom).


This is my former town of Wellington in Ohio. It's not the town I grew up in, but rather the town that Carl and I lived in (we actually were a good 5 miles outside the town limits in the country, but this grand historic town was our address.)


The homes on Main Street in Wellington are grand scale beautiful.


Remember the Spirit of '76 painting by Archibald Willard? He lived in Wellington and is buried there.


And yet another architectural example of the town I love.


This two steepled Catholic church can be spotted from a distance along route 224 as we make our way back to Indiana. Isn't it gorgeous?


And this water tower in Indiana always makes me smile (pun intended).


Back home again.
"Mom just couldn't wait to officially put me on the chores roster!"

Toni