Finalization of Jax's Adoption

 

Finalization Day finally came and has gone. What a wonderful day it was. As most people, we hadn't ever been to an adoption hearing in court before. When we first walked in the court house there were a ton of people waiting to get into court. We met with our attorney to go over paperwork and quickly learned that they hear adoption cases first. I was really surprised but it quickly made sense. Since the case deals with a minor it has to be closed by law other than family that we invite in. It was a pretty quick easy process and took about 20 minutes or so. My favorite part is when our attorney called on Shaileen and asked her how her bonding had gone and why she thinks she is the best fit for a mother for Jax. As you would guess it made me tear up. I can't remember exactly what she said but something to the effect of that she has never loved someone so much in her life. Later on our attorney asked me the same question. I answered saying that one word sums up Shaileen as a mother. Perfect! I also stated that when I was looking for my wife I wanted to have her be a wonderful mother. Never would I have expected to get something as wonderful as Shaileen as the Mother of my children. I can see in her eyes the love that she has for Jax. Not just a shorttime love but love that will last for eternity. After we were all called on the judge agreed that we should adopt Jax and it was all final. What a cool feeling. Honestly though, people have asked me how I have felt about being able to finally finalize with Jax. I answered saying that it really is not a big deal because we have the temple to look forard to. Jax is legally our son while on this earth right now, but on January 4th at noon we are going to be sealed to him in the Jordan River Temple for time and all eternity. What kind of a blessing is that? AN INCREDIBLE ONE!

 

This is a photo of our attorney Derek Williams and our case worker Amber Lingard

Shaileens Mother and Step Dad

My parents

 



Jax chooses which temple he wants to be sealed in

We were having such a tough time deciding what temple to have Jax sealed to us. Shaileen thought we should go to the Jordan River temple and I wanted the Salt Lake temple and we both really love the beauty of the Oquirrh Mountain temple in South Jordan. Someone online gave us the idea that we should show Jax the photos of each of the temples and let him choose. We both absolutely loved that idea. This evening we both sad down with Jax on the floor and pulled up photos on the temples on the Ipad and let him go to work. It was obviously hard to tell which one he really liked but from sitting next to him it seemed like he really liked the 2nd temple. I obviously was not watching which one he chose because it was the Jordan River temple (Shaileen's favorite). We are excited to go through the Jordan River temple though especially because that is where my Grandpa worked. He was also on his way there when he passed away. Each time we go there I can feel his presence there with us. We want to go get sealed on 12-28-13 but are not sure if that is a possibility yet because the temple is closed for cleaning currently and can't make an appointment until Monday. If that is when we get sealed we plan to bless him in church hopefully the following Sunday if our bishopric is ok with that. This is the thing that I look forward to most with Jax so far in this whole adoption process. To become not only a family on this earth but for eternity. Man, I love that boy more than the world. I am definately the luckiest Dad in the world.

Jax's first time eating sweet potatoes

We decided that it was time for Jax to start eating actual food. Sweet potatoes was the winner. Jax was a champ and did an excellent job eating like usual. Good thing Shaileen decided to get him naked before we started feeding him because he was a mess when he was done. 

Isn't this one of the cutest pictures of Jax ever. He looks so excited to start eating. :)

Every once in a while Jax decided that his hand was better than the food though! He found that it wasn't food though and quickly decided that he wanted the sweet potatoes again. 

Shaileen may have been even more excited than Jax was! You can tell how much love she has for Jax right here. He just makes her world just as he does mine.  

Jax was so proud of himself that he ate all of the food all gone. 

He was such a mess that Shaileen got him completely naked and put him in the sink to wash him off. BABY BOOTY! Usually he loves getting in the shower and tub but he definitely did not like the sink for some weird reason. 

2013 Cline Family Christmas Party

It was time for the annual Cline family Christmas party. We had an absolute blast. Janica was nice enough to hold the party at her house. The weather was absolutely crazy so we were so happy that we only had to drive to Tooele instead of into town. As always, when we get together with the Cline side of the family we have a ton of fun, sometimes a little too much fun. We had a great meal and then everyone took family photos at the "photobooth" It was fun and Jax loved wearing the snowman headwear. We also played family fued and minute to win it. There are videos attached that will show how much fun we had too. We are just so thankful for our family and love them all so much. 

Isn't this one of the cutest photos you have ever seen of Jax

Grandma loves Jax a ton

Sometimes a little too much! haha

Absolutely love this photo of my grandma! Love how she still comes to our family parties.

Brayden thought he would be funny and make his own personal Gopro! It comes with a disclaimer that you may lose some hair with this GoPro model.

I can say pretty easily that I am the luckiest Dad in the world!