Thursday, May 27, 2010

We're an OFFICIAL family!

It's done! Papers are signed and we are an official family now.

Tuesday night we stayed at my folks place in Provo. We drove up to Salt Lake in the morning, had a quick lunch at Burger King, and got to the courhouse about a half hour early. Since the halls were all but empty, we let the kids run around a bit (well, tried to keep the RUNNING to a minimum...) Our lawyer arrived and we signed a few more papers. I'll be SO glad when all the paperwork is done!!!! (still need to do a bit more for new birth certificates, SSN, and health insurance). Then we got to go into the court room and wait a bit longer for the judge to come in. The kids had a blast spinning around on the office style chairs and taking turns getting drinks from the little pitchers on the tables. I liked the judge instantly - he came in in a wheel chair which I later learned from the caseworker was because he has MS. He just had a kind look in his face. So the lawyer talked a bit, the caseworker too, and then Joe & I were asked a few questions. "Do you feel like you're the best placement for these children? Will you treat them as you would your own biological children? etc..." Not only was I excited to answer these questions, but it was so wonderful to see the look on Joe's face as he answered them as well. Then the judge took a few minutes to look over the paperwork and sign the official adoption decree. He asked about the change in our home over the last few months and I told him the change in the chidren (and us) has been amazing. That our world has turned upside down, but we're getting a good routine and life has a comfortable rhythm now. He agreed that after reading the pre and post placement reports that we are a good placement for the children and then it was done! The judge gave each of the kids a little beanie baby teddy bear and then we took a few photos to commemorate the occaision.

It feel pretty unreal still - that they're really ours and nobody can take them away from us. Can't wait to go to the temple this weekend and know that they're ours for eternity as well.

After we were done we went back to my mom & dad's for a family dinner with Eve & Jim and all their kids. Had a nice time and a yummy dinner (meat loaf, baked potato, spinach strawberry salad, and the YUMMIEST lemon cake ever - recipe to follow...) We had a nice visit and the kids all played in the backyard with balloons and then with mom's crokay set. It was a wonderful and long day - but SO glad to finally get home at the end of the day!


Triple-Lemon Layer Cake

1 pkg (2-layer) yellow cake mix
1/4 cup Kool-Aid Lemonade Flavor Sugar-Sweetened Soft Drink Mix
Zest and juice from 1 lemon
1/2 cup boiling water
1 pkg (3 oz) lemon jello
4 square Baker's white chocolate, finely chopped
1 can (5oz)evaporated milk
2 Cups thawed Cool-Whip (*mom used real whipped cream)

Prepare cake batter as directed in 2 (9") round cake pans, blending drink mix and zest into batter before pouring into pans. Bake and cool completely.

Add boiling water to jello mix; stir 2 minutes until competely dissoved. Add chocolate, stir until melted. Stir in milk and add lemon juice. Refrigerate 15 minutes or until thickened, but not set.

Cut each cake layer horizontally into 2 layers. Stack on plate, spreading cool whip mixture between layers and on top of cake. Keep refrigerated.

3 comments:

  1. I am so happy for you guys!!! Julianne

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  2. Oh my little Lizzy. You guys did it. I remember the day at the Taste of Home Show when you got the call that the kids were going somewhere else and you were so heartbroken. From that to today is absolutely incredible. You and Joe must be living right!! :) Congrats and I love your blog!

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