Best Weekend Ever!!!

It is official... Taylor is ours forever and ever!!! It was a jam-packed weekend of Taylor, Taylor, Taylor and it is one of my very favorite weekends of my life! There is a lot to say, so just bear with me.

Friday

Friday was the day we made the adoption legal. We had our court hearing at 8:30am with Judge Barrett. Since I've never really been in a court room, I was kind of hoping to sit in the court room like you see on TV, but instead, the judge took us into his chambers (a little more intimate, perhaps?). I didn't think that Friday would be too big of a deal seeing as how Taylor already feels like she's been ours for 6 months now. I was asked some questions by our lawyer and then asked if I would like to say anything additional and then the same questions were asked of Dustin. Although my mom and sister were on the couch behind us bawling, I didn't get too emotional, until our case worker Pam began talking a little bit about the adoption. This is when I was flooded with emotions. We have only known Pam for about 7 months and we've only met with her a handful of times and yet my love for her is stronger than I can put into words. It was through her inspiration that Jami (Taylor's birth mom) even looked through our paperwork from the beginning. She was one of the main instruments in making this adoption possible. We love her so much and we will forever be grateful to her.

It's official! Taylor is a a Tate!



My mom and Ash came into town to share this awesome experience!

Taylor and Pam (our adoption case worker... she's the best!)

Judge Barrett who made this adoption official!

Saturday

Saturday was the big day. Friday we made the adoption legal, but on Saturday, we made the adoption eternal. I tend to not go into my religious beliefs a lot on my blog. I know that religion is something that people keep near and dear to their hearts, but with this amazing experience we had this weekend, I felt it necessary to share the experience that we had. I know that there are many that read this blog that aren't familiar with the LDS faith, so I will explain a little bit about what we went through on Saturday. When Dustin and I got married, we got married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Since there are certain requirements to enter the temple such as to being a member of the LDS faith along with certain responsibilities and commitments as to how you are living your life, not everyone is able to enter, once the temple has been dedicated. Because of this, not everyone was able to see us get married, even some of our nearest and dearest friends and family members. But it was still a step that we wanted to take because in this ceremony we were sealed as husband and wife for time and all eternity, not just until we die. In regards to Saturday, if I was able to give birth to my own children (or if this happens in the future) they will be born in this covenant that we made when we got married and continue to live. However since Taylor was adopted and she was not born of me, we have the very rare opportunity to actually take her to the temple with us and have her sealed to us for time and all eternity.

I cannot even begin to explain the emotions the flooded me when I walked into this room where some of the most special people in our lives were seated. There were friends and family who have been there for us through this process. Some had had this same opportunity of adopting children, others had placed babies for adoption, but even those who had not been blessed with adoption in their lives, they had been with us through some of those most difficult times over the past couple of years. They were with us as we endured the pain of not being able to start our family, a pain that was so real at the time, but I can no longer feel. During the ceremony, Taylor smiled at her daddy and others in the room as these special words and promises were spoken. I can honestly say that it was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I can say without a doubt that I know that this sweet little angel that was put in our lives was always supposed to be our little baby. I can't even begin to imagine our lives without her. Her special spirit has touched all that she has come in contact with and I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who entrusted Dustin and I to be her parents.

On the temple grounds after Taylor was sealed to us for time and all eternity

Sunday

On Sunday at church, we were able to bless Taylor and Dustin was able to give her a blessing for his first time as a dad. It was a very special blessing and the words that he spoke were some very precious promises that were said that will be with her throughout her life. After church, Dustin's parents allowed us to use their house for some of our friends and family to come and celebrate the weekend that we had.

Taylor with her Great Uncle Jay

Taylor with her Grandma TT and cousin Allie (who was just blessed the week before)

Thanks to everyone who has shared this journey with us. We know that we could not have gotten through this without our family and friends as well as all of the prayers that were given on our behalf. There has been so much love and support shown to us and we can never repay you with all that we have received. Thank you can't even begin to explain the gratitude and love that we feel towards everyone. We love you so much!!!