Tanner's Finalization Hearing

We have been blessed with so much this past year. The greatest blessing of all is how little Tanner came into our lives. We love adoption. It is an amazing process where our Heavenly Father can build eternal families. It is a difficult process for all parties involved. And the emotional roller coaster is one that, had I not experienced it, I would not be able to imagine it. But having a strong testimony and a belief in Families makes all the downs and emotional chaos worth it. Having Tanner in our lives makes everything about our struggle to build an eternal family, worth it!

On September 8th at 9:00 Pacific Time, Tanner Keaton Parks was officially made a legal member of our family. Which makes me laugh because to us Tanner became a member of our family the day Tine placed him in our arms. But Hey the legal system has to have it's say to, and to them that day was last Thursday.

After so many prayers and fasting, we were lucky enough to be granted our petition to do the finalization hearing over the phone instead of in a Las Vegas Court Room. A huge Blessing. So we got ready, borrowed the Bishop's office at the church, had the Watson's entertain Mason and we talked to the judge over the phone.

Here's a fun fact: our Attorney was a woman, the Nevada Agency's social worker was a woman, the Wyoming Social Worker was a woman, and the judge was a woman. I'm very certain Mitch was the only male on this call. If there was another man in the room, he never said a word.

The call was short, official, and in a matter of twenty minutes everyone was agreed and papers were signed and Tanner was ours. I am grateful for everyone involved. So many people are involved in the adoption process, so many that sometimes it feels more complicated than it should be. However when it all works out, you can't help but recognize the hand of God in it.

So Family and Friends, for your prayers, your thoughts, your encouragement, and just being there for us. Thank you! Tanner is now legally a Parks, Soon he will be sealed to us for Eternity and all our dreams will have come true.

Together Forever, this is my family.

Day Nine in the world

I had to count the days several times for me to believe it, but yep, as of this morning TK is on day nine of being in this world. He is taking such good care of me. Though it's nearly impossible to put him down, when he's in his bassinet he sleeps between three to four hours at a time giving me some much needed sleep.

He's already chunking up, and isn't satisfied until he gets his four ounces of formula and then goes right back to sleep, though he will stay up and chat with me for a while. He gained the nickname Squeaker in the hospital and it's stuck. This little boy will squeak in his sleep, squeak when he shifts and he often squeaks while being burped.

His first bath was interesting. Mason was kind enough to help me take pictures. However the whole time Mason kept insisting he needed to be in the sink for his bath too. Being a big brother is difficult for Mason sometimes but he's doing great!. And TK gives some of the best smiles when he hears Mason laughing. Be still my heart, I just melt at those smiles.

Crazy hair. Thanks to the bath I already had some fun with TK's hair. It's still soft as ever and no one can help but touch it. Feeling a repeat with Mason's hair, it took Mason a few years to realize he could ask people to stop touching his head. However, now Mason is the one that can't stop touching TK's hair.

We have had some amazing help while we've been in Vegas. We still haven't heard from the agency on the progress of our ICPC release but it's in Heavenly Fathers hands and we have faith that we will get to take this little boy home soon. Mason has his own plans for getting back to Wyoming. And he reminds me every day how much he misses Wyoming. I love that he appreciates home as much as I do. The clear air, the people, the Watson's, the snow, we are very anxious to get back.  But until then we have cousin Gwenealle here to keep him company. The two have been running and laughing and OH the conversations they have when they wake up in the morning.

We are doing well.
We are missing home
We are praying hard
We are happy.

We love you all! Please pray for us and the next time you hear from us we'll be headed home, I'm sure of it!

Post bath Hair Ruffle He loved it. 

Oh yeah. We're going to have fun with this hair.

Best buds reunited after a long time apart. They picked right back up, playing, fighting, and playing some more. The difference is this time they're able to have long conversations filled with lots of giggles. 

Mason and Gwenaelle brushing teeth! Mason spits and Gwenaelle says "Nice work". So he just keeps on spitting. haha

"I'm a pirate!"