When We Became Forever

The week of Thanksgiving we flew to Utah for some very special events. Tuesday, the 26th we finalized our adoption in court and the 29th we had Clara sealed to us for eternity in the beautiful LDS Oquirrh Mountain temple, and then was given a baby blessing by Brent.

Court day was really special day. We had both of our parents there with us, as well as our case worker and attorney. It was a fairly formal occasion and we each had to answer some simple questions about ourselves and Clara (birth dates, placement dates, our address, etc.). I cried basically the entire time through those questions and then they asked a couple of questions that just made me cry even harder: did I feel that the adoption was in Clara's best interest (yes! yes!) and what were my feelings about the adoption and my daughter (um . . . bawl session!). An even sweeter part for me was hearing Brent answer those questions and tear up. He is such a tender father and loves his baby girl so, so much. I wish I could have recorded those words and have them to keep forever. After a short, 20 minute court session, our judge stated that he also felt that the adoption was in Clara's best interest and that he was happy to declare it final - she was officially our daughter and we, officially her parents!

Here is a picture we took right after things were finalized (and all of us with red eyes from crying!)

And then of course, our sealing day was even more amazing as we were sealed together as a family unit in the eyes of God. It was wonderful to have so many friends and family with us that day to celebrate the special occasion and Clara was just beautiful in her white dress. It kind of took my breath away to see her there in the temple with us -- she is so perfect and pure and she belonged so well in that sacred place. After we came out of the temple, my good friend and amazing photographer, Heather (see her work HERE!) was there to take pictures for us and I can't tell you how much I love them and treasure having these pictures! Here are just a few of my favorites:

 And a couple pictures I took of Clara in her temple dress (the longer one) and one in her blessing dress. Her temple dress came with the bonnet and I just had to take a few pictures of her with it on even though she didn't actually wear it at all on our sealing day.