In July, Baby turned 6 months old and we were able to legally finalize his adoption. From the moment I held that baby boy in my arms, I felt in all my soul that he was mine. While I was excited to have everything finalized, I didn't expect the day to be so intensely spiritual and meaningful. Chris and I were both given the opportunity during the proceedings to express our feelings regarding this adoption and we both just wept as we shared the tender mercies of the Lord in bringing our son "home" to us. There was a very real power in that courtroom as we sat together as a family with so many of our extended family sitting behind us. I have a testimony that the Lord knows each of us as individuals and that He loves us with a love that we may never be able to fully understand in our mortal state. Where we are, the experiences we have, the family we are a part of is not an accident or haphazard...it is deliberate and evidence of His love. The experience of bringing our sweet Baby home has reinforced and strengthened that testimony.
Thank you to every member of our family that interrupted their busy schedules and made great sacrifices to be there. We are so grateful for you. You make us deeply happy. Thank you to all of you that were there in spirit, thought, and prayer. You may not be able to physically be in attendance but we always feel you in spirit.
Thank you to Denise and Morgan, our dear friends from Heart and Soul Adoptions, for being there. If it is possible to wish something into happening, that is evidence to us that it works. We feel enormously grateful that both of you were able to be there. You have become very important members of our family. Your part in this journey has been huge and we sincerely thank you for this life changing work that you are doing. Our experience with each of you personally and with the work you do through the agency has been inspiring and touching. We truly could not have asked for a more amazing experience! We love you!
And last but not least, thank you to the amazing Judge Lynn Davis who went out of his way to make this a memorable and very special experience for our family. We will be forever grateful for your touching words and the time you took to make sure this was special for each member of our family. Thank you for the work you do and sharing this memorable and special day with us.
I was particularly touched that during the proceedings Judge Davis took the time to acknowledge and pay tribute to the very important and significant role that Baby's birth mother has played in these events. She is a remarkable woman and I was so glad to have her honored in this special proceedings. This birth mother made a very difficult decision when she chose to give this child life. She sacrificed so much personally to give him life and then sacrificed so much again when she decided that despite the intense personal feelings of love and attachment that she had for him, she wanted him to have more. I hope that every single day she feels tremendous pride in herself and the life that only she could give to her baby. We honor and love her for the remarkable journey she has made and the sacred role she has played.
And because Baby was finally "legally" ours, we were able to bless him last Sunday. Another remarkable and special day! Chris gave him a beautiful blessing and I was once again overwhelmed by the privilege of being a mother to these 4 beautiful kids! I am one lucky mom!
We threw a party after the blessing...a chance to celebrate Baby's finalization AND baby blessing. It was a great afternoon filled with lots of family, food, and fun!
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| I loved the picture garlands made with baker's twine, teeny tiny clothes pins, and lots of pictures! This garland was some of our favorite pictures of Baby. |
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| The garland of pictures on the banister were all friends and family members holding Baby. They got to take their picture when they left as a memento of the special event! |
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| The front table as they came in where they had the opportunity to write a little message to Baby... |
And now...the Guest of Honor!
