A Glipse of Heaven

Greetings folks!
If you remember the comment I made in regards to the scene that Cindy had beautifully described at Robbie's finalization this past Monday morning, well here is her version that is so eloquently written.

The finalization ceremony for Robbie’s adoption was a neat experience for us. To set the scene for you, it was a smallish courtroom ---- enough space for the judge’s bench, a few jury chairs, the prosecution & defense tables and two rows of spectator seating. The room was probably no larger than our living room. Frank, Robbie and I were seated with our lawyer at one of the litigant tables facing the judge’s bench. We had about fifteen or so spectators from church and work and of course, Frank’s mom.

The bailiff said “ All Rise” in an official sounding tone and we all stood at our seats --- including Robbie. The judge came in wearing his official robes and looking very impressive. Judge Puffenberger sat down above all of us at his bench and brought the proceedings to order. After he completed the pomp & circumstance befitting his position, he said that since it was an adoption proceeding in closed court, he wasn’t going to stand on ceremony --- so he picked up the case file and stepped down from his special seat to come sit across from Frank and me at the litigant table. He played with Robbie for a couple minutes – trying to elicit a smile.

The judge then began to explain the procedure of the adoption and the paperwork that we would receive regarding Robbie’s new birth record and social security card. He said that the new birth record would reflect that Robbie is our son and would look no different from the birth certificate of a natural born child. It would appear that I was the one who went through labor & delivery at St. Luke’s Hospital instead of Robbie’s birth mom. Frank would be listed as the father. Nowhere on the birth certificate would there be any mention of adoption. It wouldn’t have an asterisk like Barry Bond’s baseball indicating that it wasn’t a “real birth certificate”. Robbie would be shown as our son in all ways on all his official paperwork.

Then the judge read the declaration of adoption and read Robbie’s new name. He sounded so happy. There was applause!! Judge Puffenberger gave Robbie his very own gavel after telling us that all children adopted within Lucas County for the past forty years had received a gavel of their very own. Then we were invited to gather our friends and family up on the judge’s bench for pictures. While we were up around the bench, Frank’s boss prayed over us and especially over Robbie. The entire event was special, but the prayer just topped everything off so well.

After the cake and celebration, I got to thinking about adoption. Frank and I have been studying Ephesians in our Sunday morning Community at church. In this book, Paul tells us we are adopted into God’s family and now I have a fresh picture of what that looks like. God came down from his high place to meet with us face to face. He did not loose his Godliness when he did this, but he interacted with us with love and kindness. Judge Puffenberger did not remove his robe when he came down to us at the table either. But he did interact with us in a personal way --- just like God does today. When we are adopted into God’s family, Revelation says that we will receive a new name written in God’s book of life--- I can just imagine the joy and pride in God’s voice as he speaks our new name as his children. And then, once we are adopted, we are God’s children forever --- no asterisk, no hesitation --- we get a new birth certificate. No longer are we children of wrath… now we are children of God. Finally, when it is the proper time, we will be invited to join God in his heavenly places for a celebration befitting the children of a king.

As you can see, God does work in wonderful ways to show us how much he loves and cares for everyone of us.
Until next time, have a great day!

IT IS FINISHED!!!!!!!

Howdy once again everyone!
Well, after many months of waiting, hours of prayer, and some challenging times, Robbie is now officially Robert Jayson Tremblay!
I want to thank all of you who have been praying for Robbie, Cindy and myself during these past months. We want to thank our Heavenly Dad--God the Father, for making this day possible. Cindy made a very awesome comment in regards to the finalization hearing yesterday. When we were in the courtroom, as Judge Puffenberger entered, we stood in honor and respect of his position. He took his seat on the bench to start the finalization hearing for us. After this, he came down to the table where Cindy, Robbie and myself were sitting. After chatting with us and playing with Robbie a little bit, he began to go over the various documents that we would need to keep and their meaning in regards to Robbie's adoption. After all this was completed, he made Robbie's name his legal name for ever and ever! Then we gathered around Judge Puffenberger's chair to have pictures taken, and to celebrate the completion of Robbie's adoption. Then Judge Puffenberger gave Robbie a gavel to keep as a remembrance of this special day. Needless to say, Robbie likes it! *grin* Now for the comment. Just like Judge Puffenberger, dressed in his robe and the position he holds, with all the respect and honor, is like God. As God the Father, He comes to us with all his power, majesty,honor and wants to come where we are to have a relationship with each of us. He comes to our level to talk, play and have fellowship with us. One day, we will go to heaven where we will get a new name and live forever with him. Just like Robbie getting his new name, as children of God, we too will have a new name!
Afterwards, Cindy, Robbie, myself, my mom, along with some of the staff from YES-FM (one of my jobs), our lawyer Phil, Christa (our facilitator), Jamey (my boss at WLMB) and one of our friends from church (as well as her 3 children) went into another room to have cake! It was a good time and shortly after, Judge Puffenberger joined us in the celebration. Afterwards, a number of us went to an area Mexican restaurant to have lunch. Later that evening at WLMB's telethon fundraiser, there was a small segment about Robbie's finalization, which included pictures taken in the courtroom. The point that Jamey brought out about it is just like Cindy and me adopting Robbie, God longs to adopt all of us into his family. We were able to videotape the finalization and I will attempt to piece that with the television segment as well into one video. Hope it works out!
Once again, I want to thank everyone of you who had a part of this awesome day, weather you were here in person, in spirit, or in prayer, on behalf of the Tremblay family, I want to thank you for all your support!
And each time Robbie plays with his gavel, we will remember this special day!
Until next time, God bless all who read this blog site about a little boy named Robert Jayson Tremblay!
PS~ There will be pictures from this event posted when we get them developed.

The Day draws near

Greetings again folks!
Well we are getting closer to the date of Robbie's finalization (only 4 days away!). I have to admit that I am getting excited and a little nervous for this special event! Excited in the sense that Robbie will be our son (although I have known he was already) and we will have all the stuff that we would have received had we gone to the hospital and given birth (okay, Cindy would have given birth). It seems like so long ago that we were hoping for a little one to bless our home and begin the process of being known as mom & dad. While the past 9 months have seemingly flown by and Robbie is growing, developing and becoming a big Ohio State fan, it still amazes me to think he will be our son for life! While I know that I will never be a perfect parent, I will strive to be the best dad for him and teach him everything that I have learned in my life. While Cindy has been with him at home since his arrival, she has done a fantastic job in interacting with him through playing, singing and even feedings to help him develop. He has captured our hearts with his little hands, smiles, laughs, and even his antics. Just the other day, we were in the living room relaxing some and he was on the floor playing with one of his toys. Well, he started crawling after Chloe and wanting to play with her. Needless to say, Chloe did not want to play since she was wanting to relax a bit herself. So she out ran him and was able to get to her "sanctuary" which is in the corner of the room where Robbie is not permitted to go. To help out a little dog, the "Big Dog" grabbed Robbie and proceeded to give him the business. For some reason, Robbie wanted to go back to his toys *giggles*. A little bit later, Robbie was able to go ride his horse (yup it is a big one too!). He enjoyed the ride while mommy made sure he stayed on his horse. It was very cute and fun too! I am looking forward to many more horse rides for this little guy (and any others that may come our way) in the future.
Well, that is about it for now. Thanks once again for reading the stories about Robbie, a little boy who had blessed our lives!

Robbie's big day!

Howdy once again folks!
Well, some of you have heard the big news about the date we will head to court to finalize Robbie's adoption! On Monday, October 22, 2007 at 10:30am ET, Cindy, Robbie and myself will head to the Lucas County courthouse to complete this adoption. While it has been hard at times for various reasons, Cindy and I would do it all over again! God has had his hand in this from the moment that a friend at church told Cindy about Robbie's birth mother (even though he was not born yet) up thru the meetings we had with her, our lawyer, home study assessor, and everyone that has had a hand in this blessed event for all of us (yes that also includes Chloe). While there have been hard times with some aspects of it, God has remained faithful. So when you read these post about this little boy, whom God has placed in our lives, that Robbie is an answer to prayer! We are all looking forward to this special day!
Now onto some more Robbie news!
This past weekend was a fun one for Robbie & I. Cindy went to a retreat for the choir members for the day on Saturday, which meant BOYS DAY! Well, after we got home, it was time for a nap. Thankfully he did go to sleep on the way home from church where I had tech practice and slept for almost 3 hours. During this time, I turned on some college football and fell asleep as well. After our naps, we ate, played, watched some football (fell asleep for short periods of time) and did some things around the house. That was pretty much our day as we were able to just relax and enjoy each others company. Towards evening (and very close to bed time) I gave Robbie his bath (which are a hoot at times!) and was just getting him out of the tub when Cindy got home. She gave him his good night kiss and it was off to dreamland! It amazes us how much he has learned and is doing these days. Something new seems to happen on a daily basis and it is a joy to see this little boy just grow up.
Well, that is all the news for now. There will be a few pictures with this post, including the cow lick picture!
Until next time!

Robbie & the animals

Salutations everyone!
Well, Robbie just turned 9 months old this past Saturday and it is amazing how he has grown and developed in this short period of time. He is becoming all boy! So this past Sunday, some friends from church invited us to come out to their place to hang out and go to an area farm that had pumpkins, gourds, farm animals and other things. We had also brought Chloe along as well for this family event. It was a beautiful day and it was good to get outside with the cold weather drawing near each day. The farm had chickens, rabbits, sheep, pigs, cows and we had introduced each type of animal to him (along with what noise they make). After walking around for a bit, our friend knew the one of the owners of the farm and asked if the kids could give one of the cows some corn (still on the cob). He broke a cob into 3 parts, with one of them going to Robbie. Well, needless to say, he did not try to eat it as he usually tries to do with most things that are placed in his hands. Instead, Cindy was holding him, with him holding the corn cob and facing outward towards the cow. Well, once the cow was able to smell the corn, she began to work her tongue to get the cob. Needless to say, Robbie was licked a few times by the cow and she did get the cob of corn! The funny thing is that he did not fuss or cry, but had a very funny look on his face as if to say "what just happened to me?" "What in the world did this animal do to me"? I was able to get a picture of the cow licking Robbie and as soon as we get it developed, it will show up on this site. But it was funny! We got some other pictures from our visit to the farm and they will make it here to the site in the future.
In other Robbie news, he is getting closer to cutting another tooth on the top. He is about 2 or 3 days away from getting it and he is being a good sport about it as well. Also, Cindy has been experimenting with different foods for him in the past week or so and we have found out that like most other kids, he likes peanut butter & jelly! We gave him some last night (Monday) and he was a mess! A cute mess, but what do you expect from a 9 month old that is trying to feed himself (and doing okay too).
Well, that is about it for the time being. I hope all is going well with everyone that reads this blog and we will post again in the near future!