my favorite Bug is unique (Addi)

I loved her before I ever knew her. You see, her momma was part of one of my small groups long before she was born. Bill and I got to meet Bug when she was only a few weeks old. Loving her was simply an extension of loving Jess. (front, left)

When my son Jonathan and her momma began dating, I knew she would one day be ours, for realsies. Her momma's nickname for her was Bug. And that is how Addi became my favorite Bug in the whole wide world. Forever and always.

We were so excited when Jess said "yes" and this happened.

Wednesday October 20, 2021, 

what our hearts have always known to be true became official.

 Adelaide Rae is a Bondurant!

Have you ever been to an adoption proceeding? I hadn't until Wednesday morning. It is a pretty serious thing. It is the culmination of a process and time. Addi had her own advocate/lawyer. Jonathan and Jess had one. And the judge ain't playing when he asks questions. The answer that especially brought tears to my eyes was the one Addi's advocate gave when the judge asked if she thought Jonathan adopting Addi was in the child's best interest.

"Judge, after meeting with the family and watching them interact, I absolutely believe this adoption is in the best interest of the child." *que, tears.

And with that testimony and a signature, she is legally ours.

Jess's FB Post was beautiful:

Today was a very special day for the Bondurant family! Jonathan officially adopted Adelaide!!!

Since the day we started dating, Jonathan has stepped up and called Addi his own. We patiently waited and prayed for the right time. This past year, we felt a nudge that it needed to happen soon and PRAISE THE LORD, our family is officially and legally complete!

Jonathan, you have been everything a father should be and more. Thank you for loving and supporting our girl (and our family) so unconditionally. A huge “thank you” to everyone who helped us along the way. We will especially be forever grateful to Jason and Amy Greer for all of their hard work getting us here! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!!