Aliya's Finalization

It's official, Aliya is ours forever! Last night I could barely sleep, I was so excited for the morning. My stomach was doing flip flops all night in excitement! Our morning started out as normal, Jon ran to pick up Joel while I got myself and Aliya ready. My mom had come into town last night late so she could spend the day with us today. We left for court at 9:30a, 30 mins before we were to report. Of course we hit EVERY red light from our house to the court house. Once we arrived I dug to the bottom of my purse for a quarter to feed the meeter and we rushed across the street to the steps that lead to our meeting. Once inside we had to go through the metal detector, of course I had to be stopped, my shoes set the detector off. My entire family was waiting for us in the lobby. My dad kept telling me to hurry up, not because we were late, but because he was talking to a family that were also there to finalize and I needed to meet them. I just thought it was another couple like us...come to find out we share a very special bond with this couple from KY.



For those of you who know our story, Aliya was originally matched with another couple, and our bio mom changed her mind after giving birth. Well, today we got to meet that couple. I guess as our family was waiting for us to arrive my dad and grandma started making small talk with this couple standing there. Grandma asked where they were from, KY. My dad then said that they were there to support the adoption of their granddaughter. My dad said it was the coolest thing, our granddaughter was born at the same hospital his daughter was. The woman asked where that was, "St. Rita's in Lima" he said proudly. The woman then asked what their granddaughter's birthday is, 12/13/07...her face froze. She made the connection. There we stood with the daughter that was supposed to be their's. I asked if I could give her a hug and I completely lost it. Their names are Staci and Scott. We made small talk until we got called in to the court room.


The judge was AMAZING!! He was funny and was very genuine. He asked Joel if he was ready to be a big brother. I was crying through the whole thing. Aliya was her normal happy self and squealed and did her jumpy thing. Then the judge explained what it means to be a parent and how our parenting started long before Aliya came home to us. He then explained that her org birth certificate would be sealed and we would be issued a new one with our names on it! In a way it's bitter sweet...after today there is no record that Jocelyn is her birthmom... but I am her mommy now and forever! Then he raised his hand and hit the table and said, "it's official, she's yours forever"!!! We gathered at his desk and he held Aliya while a million pictures were taken. We then gathered in the lobby again and took a few more pictures. We even took pictures with our new friends. Grandma H invited them to join us for lunch and we all headed to our cars.


We went to Perkin's there in Xenia to celebrate. My friend Tequila stopped by to meet Aliya and hold her while I ate. Then our new friends walked in the door, their family of three now a family of four. It was so great to talk to them and get to know them. They got to meet our bio mom and spend time with her. They told me their story and how they ended up with their Christmas blessing, their son, Grayson. She then told me that she has Aliya's ultrasound pictures that she would love for me to have. They said that they now have peace because they know Aliya is safe and loved. Of course, more pictures were taken and email addresses were exchanged. The owner of our agency knew that they would be there today (at court) but due to confidentiality she wasn't able to tell us. She asked if it was awkward to either party...not at all! I fully believe God had his hand in this meeting today. They needed the closer and I needed the beginning...


After we got done eating we headed home. Aliya squealed the whole way home and Joel thanked us for his little sister. The boys went to see a movie and we crashed! Joel also had his first football practice tonight. He was so excited. While Jon took him to that mom, Aliya and I went to dinner. Of course Aliya flirted with the table next to us. Joel went on to his mom's after practice.


We are so tired...it's back to work tomorrow as normal!! I just can't believe the day came and went. I'm ready for a good night sleep tonight!

Say Cheese

Today I took Aliya to her first photo shoot. Portrait Innovations is a wonderful place. I walked in strong willed and only going to spend the $9.95 "Summer Special" and I walked out an hour later spending WAY more!! But how can you put a price on these!! Below are some of my favorites. Not all of them made it to print, but I'm so glad I got the disc so we can share all the photos! I asked my grandma H. to tag along to help me pick out the best ONE and help me stay strong in my plan...after Aliya's shoot she started to get fussy so grandma took her for a walk and disappeared. I found them on a bench, Aliya limp as a wet noodle. I guess having your pictures taken really wears you out! After we got our pictures printed out we headed to lunch. Aliya sat in the highchair like a big girl and helped me eat my turkey sandwich. Thanks grandma for spending the morning with us!! Enjoy!!

Is six better than four??

Four piggies was better than two, so are six better than four? Tonight after Aliya's bath I decided to try out a new look for our little one. I was SO surprised when Aliya sat almost completely still!! Jon said it kind of looks ghetto...what do you think? I think it looks like a crown on her princess head!

This is not the normal look on her face as I'm doing her hair...


Tada!!


It kind of looks like a carousel...


Being beautiful is hard work...all worn out!


This on has nothing to do with hair, but this is why she eats naked! This nothing, you should see what Joel and I looked like!

The power of prayer

It's hard to believe that four years ago we received a phone call telling us that my brother in law, Dave, had been diagnosed with cancer and he had six months to live. After several aggressive surgeries to remove the cancer that was embedded in his brain he fought. He fought to survive and praised God every step of the way. In the past four years we have seen miracle after miracle in Dave's life. Here we are almost 4 1/2 years later and Dave is still with us! Unfortunately the cancer has spread and Dave is quickly declining. Surgery is no longer an option. Those of you who know me well, know that Dave has played a significant role in my faith over the past few years and it is with tearing eyes we will soon say good bye. We got to spend some much needed time with Dave, Sarah and Rachel twice in the past month. Dave looked great and we enjoyed our time with them! We received word that Dave's healthily and physical ability is quickly declining and arrangements are starting to be made. PLEASE PRAY!!!! God is not done yet!!! Please pray for Sarah (my sister), Rachel my little niece and Dave's family. I cannot imagine! The below picture is Dave meeting Aliya for the first time on June 27, 2008.

Four is better than two

Saturday we tried 4 piggies... I tired my best to get pictures of them, but for some reason they wouldn't turn out well... She looked so cute in two, I decided to try four. They stayed in much better. She wore them Saturday night to church and again all day today. I'm still not sure how I'm going to fix it for finalization (in 8 days!!!). And her outfit has been narrowed down to two, Daddy will make the deciding vote!

Look in the mirror of these pictures, you can almost see the back of her head!







**A few updates on our lady bug**
~Laughs at EVERYTHING
~Is very much a mommy's girl
~Says "mammamamma", "babbabbaa", and the occasional "daddaadda"
~Can pick up her puffy's and actually find her mouth with them now
~Eating everything (esp paper!)
~Hasn't met a food (either baby or adult) she doesn't like
~Still in size 2 diapers
~Wearing 6-9 month clothes/size 2 shoes
~Will "spin" her way around the room or to get where she wants(on her belly, in a circle)
~Opens and closes her hands to wave, show she's happy, show she's upset, all the time
~Fav song is Happy Birthday
~Praise Baby is still her fav DVD
~LOVES to look at herself in the mirror and pictures
~Still no teeth, but lower gums are white and swollen
~Drools, drools, and drools some more
~Can "walk" when you hold her hands and walk behind her
~Loves to Jump, either in her Jumperoo or on your lap
~Still a good sleeper, wakes up happy most mornings
~Gives kisses (aka: eats your face off!)
~Still likes her passie, more to chew than to suck right now
~Makes noises from the minute she wakes up until the minute she falls asleep, no wait, she even makes noises in her sleep
~Sits in highchairs and carts like a big girl
~Turns heads everywhere we go
~Will be completely ours in 8 days!!!!

Piggies...

On Sunday Aliya sported her first pair of pig tails to church. She was quite the poser when I tried to take her picture. She looked like a completely different baby with them!!

Her left side...


And then the right...


Of course I couldn't get a good straight on shot. We'll try again some other day soon!

By the way, for those of you counting down with us...just 14 more days!!!!

18 Days To Go!!!

Our countdown is almost done until we finalize!!! We can't believe it's been 6 months already! We are still trying to pick out the perfect shoes for Aliya to wear to court. (Our judge likes to see babies in shoes, not sure why, but we don't ask questions!) Here are a few cute ones!