Aleana's Court Day!

Yesterday we got to take Aleana to court 

and finalize her adoption.

She is now officially our little girl!!

Aleana in her beautiful dress all ready for her big day in court!
 What a cute little girl

The judge was so nice, he let her sit up in his chair and play with his gavel

We are officially a family!! We love our little girl!

Thank you family and friends for all your love and support through this process.

We are so excited that we can now take her to the temple to be sealed to us for time and all eternity!
Saturday is going to be a very special day!!

Here is a little more about her court day!

Curt’s mom and sister Julee showed up first and helped us get Aleana ready for her big day.  

My Parents also met us at the house and spent time with Aleana before heading over to the court house.  We met up with Sara our caseworker and she took us upstairs to wait for Dustin our attorney and to look over papers.  Aleana loved looking out the big window in the hall while we waited for our hearing.  Once we got into the court room she was happy and chatty, she knew something special was going on and she was happy though the whole thing J. While we were waiting for the judge to come in I looked back at my family and noticed that you could see the Logan Temple out the window.  It was a neat reminder of our next goal of taking Aleana to the Temple.

 Judge Willmore came in the room and we all arose to show honor to the judge.  When we were seated the bailiffs had us rise so we could be sworn in.  Then the Judge had Dustin Erickson our Attorney introduced us and our family.  After Judge Willmore talked about why we were there Sara our caseworker gave her testimonial about her work with us and the agency.   She said that Aleana is happy and thriving in our home and it would be in Aleana’s best interest for this adoption to be finalized.  This touched me and made me a little teary eyed, but I guess it made our moms and Julee cry.  Then Dustin questioned Curt, when curt was explaining his relationship with Aleana, it also made me a little choked up.  He said that he loves coming home and seeing Aleana get all excited and happy to see him and that he loves to spend time with her.  Curt agreed that it would be in her best interest to finalize the adoption and signed the paperwork. Then it was my turn, I was a little nervous but was confident that I wanted Aleana.  I told the court that Aleana and I laugh and play together, that she is excited to see me when I come get her up form naps and that she comes to me when she needs comfort and love and that I love her. I told them that I felt it was in the best interest of Aleana to finalize this adoption.  Then I signed the paper work.  Neither Curt or I mess up our names, where we live, who we are married to or our anniversary, Dustin prepared us wellJ. 

Then the judge talked and told us he has all the paper work for us, the agency, and from the birthparents.  He took all the rights away for her birthparents and gave them to us.  And told us we do not have to worry about this adoption being contested.  Then he signed and stamped the adoption decree.  He said that he loves doing these adoptions almost as much as seeing his grandchildren born because he gets to see these sweet children be placed in homes with good loving parents.  He said that we have had some trying time and have worked hard and sacrificed a lot but no we have a child. He told us to be the best parents we can be because that is what Aleana deserves.  I will do my best to be the mother she deserves.

After the Hearing was over Judge Willmore invited us up to get pictures with him and then he let Aleana sit up in his chair and hold his gavel, which she almost hit herself in the head with J.  The Judge wants us to send a picture of Aleana to him because he likes to keep a record of all the adoptions he does since it is the highlight of his job. It was a neat experience and I am glad we had such an amazing case worker, attorney and judge.  I am so excited that it is final and Aleana is legally my child, but I am even more excited to take her to the temple on Saturday and make her eternally our child.   

After we went and ate Crepes at The Crepery.  My dad told me that he was glad that he came and was there for finalization, but he knew everything would go through once Jesica signed the paper work.  He said he was a little nervous until then but once they were signed she was our child. I love my dad he has always been a great blessing in my life and a great source of strength.

    Then went and chilled at our house and took pictures.  I love my family and I am grateful for all of their love and support through this entire process. I love my little girl and would not have wanted her to come into our life any other way!  We love her Jesica, Jeremy, Brooke and Cindy and are so glad they are part of our life.  The lord really does have a plan for our life and it is better than we could ever imagine!