November 18th we went to court to finalize our adoption of Anders. It happened to be National Adoption day so local adoption agencies made it kind of a big deal. I believe 17 families were able to finalize adoptions on that day, infants and older children, pretty incredible. You spend just a few minutes in the courtroom with the judge. Our lawyer asks if we are aware and prepared to care for this child as if he was born to us. We say yes and say that we feel he is bonding well and then that's about it. Our judge was very kind and tried to talk to Maddy. It's all pretty quick. They gave the kids balloons and teddy bears, we got to choose a cake and gift bag and they took a family picture. We went out to breakfast and then just went back to normal life. It's funny because it matters and feels good to have everything legal but it doesn't change how we feel.
Last weekend we got to seal Anders to us in the Twin Falls temple. We feel so lucky that so many of our family and friends made the journey over to Twin. Grandpa performed the sealing so it was to the point. He was a little intimidated by Anders middle name, Kamalei, he told me that he had been practicing all morning to pronounce it right and he did. I can't really describe what it feels like to be in a sealing room with these perfect little kids. Maddy was so excited to see all her Aunties and grandparents and wanted to say hi to everyone. Luckily Mana was able to chill her out long enough for Grandpa to do his work. It was freezing outside so this is the only picture we have at the temple.
Then we partied at Cafe Rio. Three Amigos of the trip. Oh to be a fly on the wall in their car.
We ate lots of treats and sat around. We do that well.
