and now we wait

some may know that when Erica and Timothy were born Tim had not yet become a part of our lives.  :(
some may also know that even before Tim and I were married Timothy and Erica were already calling Tim 'Dad'  - it went from New Dad to Good Dad to Dad.
Tim has been their dad for all these years that it isn't even a thought.  He is their dad. that is all.

so the story in a nut shell is something like this. when Erica was 3 and Timothy was 6 months we packed the tiniest of diaper bags and split!  it really was a - well, we'll just say that we chose life.
ever since that day Erica has been wanting to change her last name.  when my divorce was finalized she asked if she was Erica Osborne and I was very sad to have to tell her no.  then when Tim and I got married she was not yet 8 years old and asked if now she was Erica McGinnis.  sadly no.  but anyone who knows her knows that she goes by McGinnis.
15 years.  a long 15 years have finally come close to the end.  we have filled out the paperwork.  she's been fingerprinted for her background check and as of 4 days ago the papers have been filed.  the prints have been sent. and the fees have been paid.

Now we wait.  we wait for the background check to come back and the court date to be set.  it is almost over.

in 3 more years Timothy is up for the same process.  

I'm so nervous and excited for Erica right now.  and at the end of it we'll have a party - name change/graduation party.
then we wait for 3 more years and do it all over again.