10/24/11

Quinn's Baby Blessing Oct. 9, 2011

Quinn got the special chance to be blessed with his cousin, Rylie, at their grandma Kathy's ward building. 

The baby blessing was so neat to hear and wonderful to experience.  This experience, just like the temple sealing experience, was one that we've been waiting a long time for.  The blessing was very emotional.  The one thing I loved in Quinn's blessing was that he was told that his parents made sacrifices for him and love him very much.  I knew when those words were spoken, it was Heavenly Father talking about Quinn's birth parents. What makes these last two days so special are Quinn's birth parents.  None of this would've happened with Joey and I if they didn't choose to place him for adoption with us. We love them very much and are very grateful for them. 

Quinn in his beautiful blessing outfit.


Family photo


Us with Marianne and Kevin

Us with Joey's brother Jon, Pauline, and Rylie, and
Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Bobby.
Parents with their blessed baby's.
First friends, then sister's in-law, then bless their baby's together. 
Such a neat experience.

Temple Sealing Oct. 8, 2011

We were very fortunate to schedule the sealing of Quinn to Joey and I the Saturday following the court finalization.  We had many members of Joey's family, some of my family, some friends from out of state, and friends from in town.  It was so great to see this group of friends and family that were there at the temple to support me and Joey. 

The sealing was so amazing and special.  We cried the entire time, but that's alright, it's what we've been looking forward to for a long time.  Quinn was so beautiful and peaceful in the temple room that day.  We could feel the Holy Spirit so strongly.  How special it was for us to experience this sealing!

Here are some pictures on temple grounds, after the sealing:
Beautiful picture of the temple and the clouds.



Family that was in the temple, back row left to right: Stephen, Jonathan, Bobby, Leonard, Jeremy
Front row, left to right: Janell, Pauline, Kathy, Nicole, Joey, Quinn, Glenna


Quinn and Joey playing in the water.


Behind the gate.


Joey playing with Quinn


Walking to the temple


"Turn around and look." Even Quinn looked.


Joey picked Quinn up and his bum crack was showing.  I went to pull his pants
up and this is the shot our friends took.


Quinn sitting by himself on the ramp.

Family picture at the temple


Family photo

With our friends, Kevin and Marianne, who were taking pictures the
majority of the time.

Court Date-Adoption Finalization

Oct. 3, 2011

       We got to go to court and finalize the adoption.  All our paperwork is in and complete.  Our lawyer asked us questions such as, "What is your birthday?"  "Are you at least 10 yrs older than this child?"  "When were you married?" "Do you plan on staying married?"  "Do you love your husband/wife?"  "Is anyone forcing you to make this choice?" "Do you understand that once this adoption is finalized, Quinn will be yours, as if he were born to you?"
       
       We were asked many questions, but yet, it was all so fast (only 15 min.).  The court hearing was closed, meaning that only Joey and I, our lawyer, Justin Wayment, our case worker, Jared Reese, and the judge were in the room(minus the bailiff and recorder). 

     When we were all done, we went out to breakfast to celebrate.  The feeling was so great after it was all done.  We definitely did not have much stress at all with this adoption(just the paperwork through LDS Social Services), but once we were done with court, it felt like our family is for sure and won't be broken up.