ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. - The Mullen family sat, beaming with their three new adopted kids in the Arapahoe County courtroom of Chief Judge William Sylvester on Tuesday.
When the judge asked them, "Can you provide them with a suitable home?"
Jack Mullen quickly answered "Yes sir!"
The Mullens worked several years for a chance to adopt seven-year-old Julie, 4-year-old Jerry and two-year-old Giovanni. They are three of the 22 orphaned Haitian children joining 13 new families in a legal adoption proceeding Tuesday morning.
"When we saw these kids, we knew immediately," said Andrea Mullen, "I'm the oldest girl in my family and it just was right... and I'm adopted and I didn't want them to be separated."
But for many who went through the process, it almost didn't happen after January's earthquake devastated their world.
The Moore family was about to board a plane for Haiti to pick up Josiah when the earthquake struck. Twelve days later, Josiah was united with his new family, including 13-year-old Rebecca and 11-year-old Ruth, who were also adopted from Haiti eight years earlier.
"I'm glad that all the kids who were in the earthquake, they could have a family to take care of them and food and water and stuff," said adoptee Rebecca Moore in her Colorado teen voice.
Even now as they follow news of Haiti's continuing struggles, the families rejoice in being together.
"We have nothing but praise for all the people who cared for our kids while all this was going on," said Lisa Moore.
"We didn't know even if they were going to be alive," said Andrea Mullen, "And 30 days after that, they're home...so it's just amazing."
When the judge asked them, "Can you provide them with a suitable home?"
Jack Mullen quickly answered "Yes sir!"
The Mullens worked several years for a chance to adopt seven-year-old Julie, 4-year-old Jerry and two-year-old Giovanni. They are three of the 22 orphaned Haitian children joining 13 new families in a legal adoption proceeding Tuesday morning.
"When we saw these kids, we knew immediately," said Andrea Mullen, "I'm the oldest girl in my family and it just was right... and I'm adopted and I didn't want them to be separated."
But for many who went through the process, it almost didn't happen after January's earthquake devastated their world.
The Moore family was about to board a plane for Haiti to pick up Josiah when the earthquake struck. Twelve days later, Josiah was united with his new family, including 13-year-old Rebecca and 11-year-old Ruth, who were also adopted from Haiti eight years earlier.
"I'm glad that all the kids who were in the earthquake, they could have a family to take care of them and food and water and stuff," said adoptee Rebecca Moore in her Colorado teen voice.
Even now as they follow news of Haiti's continuing struggles, the families rejoice in being together.
"We have nothing but praise for all the people who cared for our kids while all this was going on," said Lisa Moore.
"We didn't know even if they were going to be alive," said Andrea Mullen, "And 30 days after that, they're home...so it's just amazing."