Just a quick update

The Holidays have come and gone and they were great!

The week after Christmas we were able to have dinner with 2 of Boo's Birth Grandparents. It was good to see them.

We are so grateful to our birth mother and all she has done for us.

Here are a few pictures of the fun we all had over the last couple of months.

10 month update!

Wow, has it really been 10 months since Boo came into our life? It is hard to imagaine life without her. I still remember that Saturday 10 months ago when we got the call saying to come and meet our baby and her wonderful birth mother.

We have grown closer as a family and have enjoyed every second we have with Boo.

It is now time to start to think wether or not we want to start the process agian for another adoption. (With our agency you wait 12 months from placement until you can reup your paper woirk.) We will more than likely try again, I don't want to wait 3 years this time but know that the Lord is in control and what is meant to happen will.

Adoption Awareness Month!!!

November is Adoption Awareness month. To celebrate Scott, Boo and I attended the 3rd Annual Adoption Walk with me 5k at Liberty park. We bundled Boo up and braved the cold air. We had so much fun, saw good friends and had a yummy burrito (compliments of Chipolte... YUM)

It is so amazing to see how adoption has blessed the lives of so many people.
We are obviously blessed to have Boo but she wouldn't be in our lives if it wasnt for her courageous birth mother. Not a day goes by that I dont think of her and the sacrifice she made on Boos behalf. We are lucky to have an open adoption and to have a great relationship with our birth mother and her family. We are eternally grateful for them and all they have done for Boo.
In our family we celebrate Adoption everyday, but this month in particular our goal is to spread one word..... that word is...... ADOPTION!! Our goal is that you all know and understand how special adoption is and that it is a viable option for anyone who is faced with a crisis pregnancy.

More Pics from the sealing

Finaly...Forever

This week we went to the Salt Lake Temple and had Boo sealed to us. This means we have hit the final end purpose with the adoption, to add to our eternal family.
It was a great day surrounded by family and friends. Boo was so cute. She spent most the time wanting to sit up and see who all were in the room.
I am so lucky to have a perfect wife and daughter. My other kids love and adore Boo as their little sister and I could not be happier.
This Sunday we will bless her at Church. More family and friends will be there as well as our wonderful birth mother and her step mom.
Adoption bless every life it touches

Finalization

Last week we went to court and it all became legal. Boo is ours...just as if she was born to us.

It was quick, our lawyer called our case worker from the agency to the stand (oh yeah we were all sworn in). She discussed our home visits and the agency thoughts on us. He then questioned me on name age, occupation and if I was financly, moraly and phyiscial able to care for Boo. Then he asked the same of Natalie.

Boo spoke up and tired talking, the judge looked up and just smiled. He then had us introduce the family that came. He ask if everyone was in favor of this action. Then he said "I have reviewed this case and signed it. Boo is now yours, just as if she had been naturaly born to you"

We then had the judge come down and took pictures with him. He turned to me and said that he had 3 adopted children himself.

I belive trhat the only time judges get their pictures taken with those that appear before them is adoptions.

What a great day!!!

6 months and FSA

Wow 6 months already! We have finalization just around the corner. It is unreal to think how fast the time has gone by. Yet, when I think about it, we can’t remember or imagine our life without Boo in it.
This past week end Natalie and I were part of the National Adoption Conference for Families Supporting Adoption. We are on the National board as well as the chair couple for two of the local chapters.
FSA is basically the volunteer arm of LDS Family Services adoption program. We work hard to promote adoption as a positive thing and give support to those working on their miracle to happen and friendship to those that have adoption as part of their lives.
Besides helping direct people and filling in where needed Natalie and I were asked to teach a class on the new itsaboutlove.org (adoption website) that is coming out as well as talk about other adoption websites. We seem to have become the experts on the whole inter thing over the past 3 years.

The best part of FSA is the friends we have. Adoption is a very positive word in our home and family and Boo will have the chance as she grows to have many friends who’s families are just like hers, created through the miracle of adoption.