On Thursday we completed the adoption of our youngest son. This court date culminated about 18 months of the foster and adoption process. 

While we had thought that Summer and Stryker were the only two children we would adopt, Christian Kayden definitely completes our family of eight.

We were blessed to have our family friend and local attorney, Michael Catt, handle the adoption process for us as he did for Summer and Stryker. What I love about Michael is that adoptions are so much more than just a ‘job’ for him. He is emotionally invested in the process and you can tell how much it affects him as well.

Now that Kayden is officially a ‘Kovatch’, things in our lives will calm down a bit. Monthly visits by CPS and CASA will cease and we can begin to move our family forward in its new composition. 

I sincerely appreciate all of the work that CPS and CASA did for him, but I am excited for us to begin to move forward.

What does the future look like for us? A lot of hectic schedules and craziness. 

However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

I feel blessed to be able to be a part of each of my kids’ lives and hope that someday they will realize what Christi and I have invested in each of them. I honestly can’t imagine how quiet things will be once they are all out on their own. 

Mind you, we have a number of years before that could potentially even become a possibility.

As we look towards the holidays, I remember just how blessed we are with the lives we live. 

It’s this time of year that I try my best to make sure my kids realize this as well. 

They have everything they need and so much more. It is important for them to learn to give back and lend a hand to those in need. 

As I have shared in previous articles, our town does a great job of helping others, but something seems different at the present. 

Things seem to be more invigorated and people are more engaged. Positive things are happening, and we all play a role in making things better.

This month I hope you take a moment to volunteer or give to someone in need. Your time or gift might be just the thing that a person needs to keep them going.

 

Chris Kovatch is a resident of Orange County. You can reach him at news@orangeleader.com