And then there was five...

The last few weeks we have spent breaking the news to family and friends that we are now official guardians of Vinny.  Just so I don't repeat myself too much here is the notice that went into our church bulletin - it really sums up what's been going on:

During the past eight years we have had the opportunity to open our home to many young children who were in the foster care system and we have been blessed by it in many ways.  A little over 2 1/2 years ago we took home a tiny newborn from the hospital named Vinny.  As time passed and he stayed with us longer than usual we obviously grew to love him a lot.  More and more we were made aware that Vinny was indeed an “orphan” in the real sense of the word and God was making it clearer to us that we could be his “forever family”.  This past April 29^th we were granted legal guardianship by the courts and just a few days ago the courts granted a name change – Vincent Lee Klos.  We understand that it may be difficult to explain to younger kids what guardianship means and we don’t mind if you use the term adoption to explain things – in essence they are the same but legally there are some differences.  We would like to thank everyone for the support shown to us whether through prayer or in practical ways during the last few years.  We look forward to receiving the sacrament of baptism soon as an expression of God’s covenant love also to him.

Ephesians 1:4-6

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

This past Sunday Vincent was baptized - it was a beautiful day spent with family and friends.  Here's a few photos we took after all the excitement was over...