Your Big Weekend

Dear Noah,

I can't believe it has been six weeks since you were sealed to us for time and all eternity, and I am just now writing about it.  Life has been busy busy--with you on the move and Dad working crazy hours--but more than anything, I think I just felt inadequate trying to capture in words how special that weekend was for us.  For that reason, I kept putting it off, but I can't wait any longer because I don't want the memories to fade.

The first of our weekend festivities was the adoption finalization in court, which took place on Friday, February 10th at the Jefferson County Courthouse.  That morning, particularly after we got to the courthouse, I felt giddy with excitement.  I didn't expect to feel that way because this event was more of a legal formality than anything--you've always been ours and it didn't take a judge's ruling for us to know that--but it was still so special to know that everything was going to be official.

You looked so handsome for your big day in court.

 

Your Grandma Nielson and Aunt Ashley had come to Colorado a few days earlier to spend the week with us, and Bapa and Aunt Sarah joined us on the morning of the hearing, so you had quite a little fan club at the courthouse.  You loved all the attention.

When we entered the hearing room, I started to feel a little nervous.  Our lawyer invited me, you, and Dad to sit at the table in front of the judge, while the rest of our family stayed back in the spectator seats. I was holding you throughout the proceedings, and you were so calm and content (quite a miracle with your spunky personality).  I felt so much love for you as we answered the lawyer's questions about why we should be your parents and how you had improved our lives.  (I didn't know quite what to say in response to such important questions, but I did my best.)  After our responses, we took the oath declaring that we knew that you were our legal and financial responsibility, and the judge ruled that the adoption was finalized--you were finally and truly a Nielson! :)

Our case worker and lawyer

When we walked back to our family, everyone surrounded you and kissed you and gooed over you.  This moment made me emotional, thinking about how lucky we are to have such a loving, supportive family.  They have always been there for us, and they will always be there for you.  We are so blessed.

And the family members just kept coming!!  That evening, Katie's and Drew's families arrived, and they came to our apartment to visit.  I held you in front of me when I answered the door so you would be the first person they would see.  At the sight of eight people crowded outside our door, you broke into a huge grin, and everyone said, "Awwwwwww!"  It was a perfect greeting for the people who had come so far to support you.  The relationship that we have with your birth parents and their families is so unique in the adoption world and such a blessing.  It was very special to have them with us for your sealing and blessing in church.

We were also joined by Aunt Laura (who flew in from California), Uncle Nate (who flew in from Idaho), and Grandpa Gordon, Uncle Derek, Aunt Alli, Uncle Cole, Aunt Sara, and Uncle Tanner (who flew in from Utah).  Seriously, child, you are loved!!!

Just a few of the many people who came to support you

Saturday, February 11th was the day I'd been waiting for ever since we started the adoption process, even before you were born: You were sealed to us for time and all eternity in the Denver Temple!

When Dad and I entered the sealing room, our friends and family were already seated around the room, and it was such a humbling sight to see a room full of people who love us and were there just to support us.  I imagine this is what our reception into heaven after this life will be like.  As I looked around the room at all of those loved ones, my heart swelled with gratitude, and I felt especially grateful to know that my mother, your Grandma Sally, was in attendance, even though I couldn't see her.

Before they brought you into the room, the sealer talked to us about the importance of eternal families.  He talked about the power of the priesthood to bind families together and promised that, even if children stray for a time, if their parents continue to faithfully live their temple covenants, the power of the priesthood will eventually draw the children back to God and to their families.  What an amazing promise.  At times, I have felt nervous about being a mother in this crazy world and worried that I won't be able to protect you and keep you on the path to God--I will remember the comforting words of this sealer in the years to come.

After the sealer finished teaching us about families, you came into the room with Grandma.  You looked so incredibly perfect and adorable in your white outfit and special white tie.  Aunt Sarah and Aunt Laura were sitting by the door, and you noticed them first and grinned at them, then looked around the rest of the room a bit bewildered by all of those people.  It was so precious.

The sealing ceremony wasn't long.  Dad and I knelt across the altar from each other holding hands, just as we had when we got married, and then Grandma held you and put your little hand on ours.  You were not too happy about being held in one place, and you fussed a bit in protest.  (It didn't help that you had missed your afternoon nap--the timing of the sealing wasn't great, but oh well.)  It was darling how the sealer sort of "baby talked" directly to you as he said the words of the covenant, trying to get you to cheer up.  Everyone was smiling and chuckling a little.

Once the ceremony was over, I held you and stood by Dad, and we looked into the double mirrors on the wall, which reflected our image as a family going on and on into eternity.  So beautiful.

Then all of our loved ones got in line to come and hug us and congratulate us.  At this point, you really went crazy.  You had had it.  It is pretty funny looking back on it now (though I will admit I didn't think so at the time).  I was trying to hug people and be all sentimental, and you were thrashing around and grabbing my hair and wailing.  You pill!!  I am laughing as I write this just picturing it.  I am grateful that you keep me humble and remind me that I will never be in control of everything in my life, no matter how carefully I plan.  It's good for me.

After we calmed you down and gave you a bottle, we went outside for some family photos.  It was freezing cold, so we had to make it quick, but I am grateful that we got a few good pictures of such an important day in our lives.

 

The following day was your baby blessing in church.  After your fussiness at the temple the day before, I was a little nervous that you wouldn't want to hold still while your dad blessed you--but you were an angel.  You were perfectly content and still as Dad gave you the most beautiful baby blessing I've ever heard.

He blessed you to feel Heavenly Father's love throughout your life. He told you that the circumstances surrounding your entrance into this world were miraculous and had increased the faith of many people.  (I know this is true because family and friends and even acquaintances have told me how your adoption story has touched them.)  He told you that the love and sacrifice of your birth parents is an example of the Atonement, and it will be something you can think about throughout your life as you strive to understand Jesus Christ.  He blessed you that your mind and body will be healthy so that you can pursue your goals.  Then he blessed you with a series of gifts (I loved this part): the gift to understand the Gospel of Christ, the gift of happiness, and the gift of service.  He said that you already have a happy spirit and that, as your parents, we love your energy and enthusiasm.  He encouraged you to "learn from your mother how to serve and impact others."  (This made me feel so great.  I love that Daddy of yours!)  He ended the blessing by encouraging you to resist temptations throughout your life and blessing you to see clearly the path back to our Father in Heaven.

I felt so much peace, love, contentment, and gratitude as I heard your father giving you such a beautiful blessing.  I think this may have been my favorite moment of the entire weekend.  I am grateful for your father and for his faith and goodness.  I often tell you that you are "the best thing that ever happened to me," but then I always add, "well, the second best thing, after meeting your daddy."  I am so grateful that I married such a stalwart, kind, and faithful man, and I hope you will try to emulate him as you grow up.

After the blessing, when Dad brought you back to your seat, you were giggling and smiling at the congregation.  It was perfect.  You are such a charmer.

That afternoon, everyone went to Bapa's for a family dinner in your honor.  It was a huge crowd of people who love you.  We talked, took pictures, and just enjoyed each other's company.  It was so good to be together.

I tried to get a photo of you dressed in white with everyone, but you were so tired by this point in the weekend that it just didn't happen.

All in all, it was a perfect weekend.  The overwhelming emotion that I felt was gratitude--gratitude for our family who all came to support us; gratitude for Katie and Drew and the immeasurable gift that they have given us; gratitude for temple covenants that ensure that families can be together forever; gratitude for your sweet dad who is the best life partner I could've ever hoped for; gratitude for you and your precious spirit; and most of all, gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who comforted me during my difficult years of infertility and then entrusted me with a perfect little being to love through the miracle of adoption.  

My cup runneth over.

I love you,

Mom