The children wore a big orange button which read, "It's My Adoption Day!" To protect the children, their faces were not photographed.

These children have big eyes and charmingly shy smiles. (Well, maybe some of those smiles are actually a bit mischievous.) Some of the children are brunette, some are tow-headed. But, all these children have one thing in common: on Saturday they celebrated their Adoption Day!

The children had all been placed in foster care, and the families fell in love with them. Coming from biological parents who could not or would not care for them, they needed lots of love, cuddling and patience. Their new parents that have stepped up to the task are heroes, outfitted with nonstop hugs and love and gentle guidance.

It's infectious, the joy and the laughter on the second floor of the courthouse. Rooms were set up with toys and games and cookies and cake. The courtroom was gaily decorated with balloons and quilts. The children were dressed in better-than-Sunday-best clothes, and their hair was neatly combed and spiffed up. It's obvious that this was a really big day in their lives.

It took many folks to help make this day happen - the Court staff from judges to court reporters and bailiffs, as well as representatives from a variety of public agencies. Lots of community volunteers pitched in, including  Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) , Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy students and the Mountain Top Quilters Guild. Why would everyone donate so much time and effort? Because they want to see that these children finally had a home they could call their own.

First, the families gathered in the courtroom so that Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Ralph Hess could explain the procedures. (Typically Superior Court Judge Robert Brutinel presides over Adoption Day proceedings, but he was out of town, so Judge Hess is filling in.) Then the families left the courtroom, except the first family in line for adoption. The mother and father were asked a few questions, such as, "How long has this child lived with you? During that time, have you loved and parented this child as if they were your own child? Do you believe that it is in this child's best interest to become a part of your family?"  And, then, when all the questions are done, the adoption is complete and legal and the judge pronounces them a family.

During the wait, while each family entered the courtroom, Northpoint students played a variety of games with the children, and led them to the table laden with cookies and snacks. Twenty student volunteers came from the school,  along with Sidney Shepherd, a Northpoint science teacher for the ninth grade. 

Linda and Dewayne are adopting Kylie, a precious blond child with big blue eyes. They already have two sons and a daughter, but, "Kylie rounds out our family, two boys and two girls," Linda said with a proud smile.

"This is very exciting," Linda continued. "This is such a treasure, to have a baby. And I have so much help from my daughter and my older sons, and we take Kylie everywhere with us,  and she does everything with us, and she's just great."

When asked how she felt about getting a little sister, Linda's 10-year-old daughter said, "I actually really like it." As a fifth grader, it wouldn't be surprising if she felt frustration about sharing a bedroom with a baby, but Linda and her daughter just grinned and said in unison, "Baby gates." 

Kylie had been in foster care, and came to Linda and Dewayne when she was 11 months old. Now Kylie is a year and a half. As she sits in the courtroom, awaiting her turn to be officially adopted, she stuffs crackers in Dewayne's mouth, giggling with glee. Before long she opens her arms wide for a hug from Linda; even her new big brothers reach out to balance her on their laps. Her new 10-year-old sister smiles at her with genuine affection. It is obvious this young child is going to a home where she will be loved and cherished.

According to the CASA website , 367 children are in foster care in Yavapai County. 

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