- She's ours!! -

yes, you read it right…she’s now Ahniér Mirlande Desruisseaux Shepler!! – thanks to all those that were praying as we could really feel it – not only did the judge require us to be there at this formal hearing, but when we got there, our attorney let us know that the judge wanted us to be get up on the witness stand [what’s up with that???]
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I have to admit, I was really wondering where he was going to take this, but it was something we were just going to have to ‘walk out’ – they told us what circuit courtroom to go to [it was the same room that we’d last seen dustin in…UGH] – when we walked in, we met the judge [it was the same judge that sentenced dustin, just 2 months ago…UGH] – then they told spike, myself & our attorney to all take our seats & sat me in the exact same seat that dustin had last sat in [where he had his sentence read to him…UGH] - It for me, was very emotional [extremely sad, but on the other hand extremely happy, all at once…UGH]
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after we found our seats, our attorney had spike to head to the witness stand, had him sworn in & he began – he asked simple things like: his full name, current address, previous address, etc. – he then started asking things like: did he feel that adopting ahniér, was in her best interest – what date we brought her home – if he was married – how many children we currently have, etc. – after they were done with spike & just as I was wiping the sweat from my palms, our attorney & said something to the effect that, “if it pleases the court, since mr. shepler’s already been on the witness stand, would the judge allow me to ask mrs. shepler her questions, while seated in her seat & he said yes [whew!]
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he then granted the adoption, signed the papers & had them notarized &certified them – he gave 1 to us & just before sending us away, he said he’d be willing for us to take pictures with him & that he would let us come up to where he sits & stand behind him – here’s a few of those pictures – hope you enjoy them & thank you again to all those that prayed…I needed it!