Adoption Finalization, Sealing, & Blessing

I'm having a hard time figuring out how I want to write this post, so I'm just sticking with chronological to help make sure I don't miss anything. Carter's adoption was finalized at the Provo Justice Court on Monday, October 6th. It was super brief and pretty to the point. Brad had to work in the morning, so he just met up with Carter and I in Provo. There isn't a whole lot to the hearing, they ask our lawyer a few questions and ask us a few questions read off the rights and agreement and call it good. We have a sound recording of it - which is actually kind of cool. Anyway, the process didn't really make us feel any different, because we had more of the focus on the sealing, later that week. However, there was one point where I got surprisingly emotional - The judge was reading the conclusion of everything and a part of it stated something along the lines of: "Adequate information has been provided, that Brad and Emily Marsh are nurturing parents, perfectly fit for the role of parents for Carter Bradley Marsh..." It was at that point that I realized how blessed we were to be the ones Heavenly Father trusted with sweet, little Carter. We are so grateful things went so smoothly and that he is legally ours.

These pics aren't the best, but they document some of the important people that were there

with Judge McVey

with our family lawyer, Jim

our legal family

Later that week, family began trickling into town and we finished up last minute to-dos with food prep, cleaning, and organization. Saturday morning, we had a doughnut brunch with Courtney and some of her family members. My mom, Megan, and Mindy were the only ones int he family that had met Courtney, so we wanted to have the opportunity for them to meet before Courtney was bombarded with all of our extended family. It was low key and perfect - it was nice for her to be able to FINALLY meet our families and hang out in a pretty casual setting. We were all together up until it was time for Brad, Carter, and I to head to the temple. We were running a few minutes late, so we all gathered in the garage with our families together and my dad offered a prayer before we left. It was the perfect start to maintain the right feeling. 

We got there and snapped a few pictures with our AMAZING photographer - Ashley Fox - she is a dear friend and does great work! Then we changed into our church clothes and headed into the temple. They immediately led us to the children's room to drop Carter off. Call it what you want, I'll call it a tender mercy - but one of my very best friends, Danielle happened to be working in the temple that day, in the children's center and was the one that was able to dress Carter into his white clothes and bring him up to our sealing room (the same room we were married in). 

It was such a sweet experience, to walk into the the sealing room and see so many of our family members there. We felt it was most important to have family there and we are so grateful for all of those that were able to attend. It was a full house, but we wouldn't have had it any other way. 

It took them a while to bring Carter into the room, but when they did - I absolutely lost it. Our sweet baby boy was dressed all in white, sleeping so peacefully. He looked so pure and precious and I couldn't believe he was finally going to be ours, forever. The rest of the ceremony was so sweet and simple and just perfect. 

I remember laying in bed that night, after a few people had asked if we felt any different. In the hustle and bustle of things - I didn't seem to notice anything. However, laying there, reflecting on that day and allowing myself to just feel the spirit around me, I instantly knew things were different. There was a greater sense of peace and completeness - a feeling that what we had done was pleasing to our Father in Heaven. I am so grateful for this confirmation we received and the power that can come from eternal families. 

We, again, are so grateful for all of the love and support we have had throughout this journey. 

Afterward we got changed and picked up Carter and headed out to greet all of our family that had come. Below are a few, false, LOADS of the pics that captured the special day.

After we finished up at the temple, we all headed over to our house to bless baby Carter (we had to wait until he was "legally" ours before we could give him his baby blessing). It was a sweet blessing and perfect for our little man. I cannot wait to see the man he becomes and hope and pray I always have the strength to help him reach his potential every day. 

This was such a special day! We feel so lucky to have an opportunity like this that we can share with our little ones. This is one of those things that make us feel privileged and blessed to have the opportunity for our family to come to us through the miracle of adoption - not everyone gets to have this experience. W are truly blessed.