Yesterday we finalized our adoption of Alayna. With our adoption what that meant was that our agency no longer had legal custody of her, but we did. I’ve had a few people ask me if Lauren could change her mind in the six months, and in Utah, as soon as the papers are signed (ours were at the hospital), her rights were terminated. It sounds awful and feels that way too, but Lauren and I talked about if it had been like other states where the birthmothers have sometimes up to 30 days to change their minds (like California) and she said it would have been much worse. It would have been like making the decision every day for 30 days and that would be torture. So I personally think that the law in Utah is actually better for everyone involved emotionally.
Well yesterday we drove to the courthouse and were all just so excited. It was the first big day with our adoption that I was really excited about and didn’t want to puke or pass out. I was just really happy. Our boys were so excited. My mom works at the Courthouse and knew the bailiffs, judge, and police officers there. When we went through security they asked if I was Loretta’s daughter. She had been telling them for weeks that we were coming and everyone knew who we were 😀 The judge mentioned she had given him a heads up “a few” times that we were coming. One of the officers asked the boys if Alayna could come live at her house and they both said “NO!!!” very quickly. They did not think that was very funny.
When we went into the courtroom it actually was kind of scary, even though we weren’t in trouble!! My friend Chelsey was our lawyer and it was all so official and I was scared for her!! I wanted to be a lawyer when I was in 5th grade–after that I am so glad I changed my mind. Chelsey and the judge asked our caseworker questions, then Josh and I questions, and the judge was super serious at first until he asked the boys if they were ok having Alayna join our family. Caleb was so serious and sat up very straight on my lap and looked at the judge and said “Yes” very matter of factly. It was really cute. Corbin just nodded because he is really so shy, but they both kept looking at Alayna and giving her kisses and trying to make her smile. )She only napped for a short time that morning, so she was kind of grumpy. She didn’t cry and was really good, but she wasn’t her happy self. When we got home she was super happy again, so I snapped a few pictures of her.)
When the judge declared her legally Alayna Lauren Cooper I started to tear up, but held it together. It was such an amazing feeling! We all went up with the judge and got our picture taken. Caleb wanted one of him kissing Alayna on the cheek. They boys kept talking all day about what a good day it was and they were so happy to have Alayna in our family. After we went to Zupas and had some fondue and the boys made a good chocolaty mess of it. I posted about our finalization on Facebook and was SO overwhelmed by all the well wishes from family and friends. We have felt so supported through this process and are so blessed to have the people we do in our lives. I even got a text from Lauren congratulating us on the finalization and telling us how happy she was for us and loved us. I didn’t think my day could get any better until I got that. She continues to support us and validate us as a family and that helps me out so much. I truly am a lucky girl.
More posts about our adoption this week:
Looking back at Placement {adoption}
Love at First Sight {adoption}
Looking Back at Alayna’s birth {adoption}
