Joe and Shanna Weight: Finalization, blessing and sealing!

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since Milo was a month old. Boy how times have changed, he's so different now, and our day to day lives are so different too. You really don't understand how much a baby changes and how fast it happens until you have one. It's so true that babies don't stay babies for long. Anyway, I wanted to write about the big events of the past month and I have about a zillion pictures to post. (Mom-now I understand why you take so many pictures. Kids are awesome.)
Within the last month, we have finalized the adoption, and had Milo sealed to us and blessed. It has been a busy but wonderful month-it also probably makes the record book as the month that I have cried the most happy tears too.
We finalized on Feb 24. It was a great experience, not at all intimidating or stressful like one might image it would be. We went to the court house in Provo and our lawyer did all the paperwork for us, so we just had to show up and answer some basic questions like-what is your full name, where do you live, when was the baby placed with you, has he been residing with you since that date., etc. I, as the mother, got to answer most of the questions and then Joe answered a few as well. The last thing that we were asked was, "What are your feelings toward this baby?" That was a hard question to answer, merely because I am always so overcome with emotion when I have to talk about Milo and how much he means to me. I told the judge that I thought Milo was the most special person I have ever met, that he is so happy, good natured, and fun that I can't get enough of him. I told him that I was honored to be his mother and that I would do everything possible to make sure that he has a good life, is well provided for and grows up to be a good and honest person. Joe basically said the same type of things. I know that every parent must feel that their child is really special and wonderful, but I just can't help but feel that this boy really is a choice spirit. He was meant to have the gospel in his life, he was meant to come into our home, and was meant to help Joe and I become better people. After our statements, the judge said that he believed it was in the best interest of the child that he remain with us and could see that he was very loved and well taken care of. At that point the papers were signed and we were finally legally Milo's parents. In the completed and legal paperwork it states, "Baby Boy Weight is declared adopted by Joseph Fredrick Weight and Shanna Marie Weight, and from this time forward shall be regarded and treated in all aspects as the lawful child of them...The minor child previously known as Baby Boy Weight shall henceforth be known as Milo Hinckley Weight, son of Joseph Fredrick Weight and Shanna Marie Weight." Nothing could have made me smile more than reading those two paragraphs. We then snapped some pictures with the judge and Joe's parents who came and watched the proceedings. I can actually say that I enjoyed being in a court room. :)
We had Milo sealed to us on March 1 and blessed on March 2. Both experiences were incredible and we were so grateful to have so many people come and support us. I was especially excited that my Grandma and Grandpa from Canada, my best friend Kelsey, her husband Derek, and Baby Brigham from Arizona and my Aunt Vicki from Idaho all made it. I know they had to travel some distance and it took some planning and work, but it meant so much to Joe and I to see them there. Also, a big thank you to all the locals that came down. It was great to see everyone and to talk with you and share these special experiences with you. I truly believe that Joe and I have the best family and friends in the world, we owe so much to you. We were sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Temple, where Joe and I were married; thought it would be nice to go full circle and be sealed to our baby there. You sure get treated like royalty anytime you go to the temple. I was brought back to the Bridal room and that is where I was allowed to change into my temple clothes. It was so fun to be in there because all these memories came flooding back to when I was there almost 10 years ago putting on my wedding dress and about to be sealed to my sweetheart. Milo went into the nursery and was the only baby in there the whole time we were there, so he got a lot of attention and love from the temple workers. Joe and I went and sat in the sealing room together before the sealing. Again, it reminded me of when we did that right before we were married, except now I knew the man I was holding hands with so much better, and because of all of our shared experiences and time together, felt even closer to him. I love that he is the man who has always stood beside me and who I can share the duties of parenthood with. He is awesome and our baby is awesome and so I just knew that it was going to be an awesome day. We were then taken into the sealing room, and as I walked in and saw the faces of so many of the people that I love, I was quite overwhelmed. I felt as if I had walked through the gates of heaven and all of these people I knew and loved were welcoming me with their smiling faces. I believe that in that moment I caught of glimpse of heaven. Joe and I were seated and then the workers brought Milo in. He looked so handsome in his white blessing suit and I just wanted to cover his little face with kisses. Our friend Derek held Milo while Joe and I knelt at the alter and then Milo's hand was placed on ours and he was sealed to us. Now, not only was he ours in the sight of the state and country, but also, and more importantly, in the sight of God. It was a short ceremony, but was very powerful and beautiful. Milo is now privileged to all the blessings of the gospel, just as if he had been born in the covenant. After the sealing, we took some pictures (thanks Dusty Nance) and I was actually surprised to find that it was not raining. According to the weather report, it was supposed to rain all day but it didn't even rain a drop-another blessing. It was windy, but we could work with that. We then went to the new Zubs in Provo and had some lunch with friends and family. Zubs is basically a part of our family, it is where Joe and I met, they paid my salary for 12 years, and they helped us finance the adoption. It just felt fitting that we should go there to eat and celebrate this momentous day. Thanks Alan and Rena for always being there for us and giving us so much to be thankful for.
Milo was blessed the next day at church. It was great to see that our benches were filled-that doesn't happen a lot in my ward. Joe was made the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric just a month previous and it was his first time conducting, so it was a little funny when he announced that we would be having a baby blessing-of his son-done by him. Joe gave a wonderful blessing and Milo was awake but good throughout the whole thing. We then had a luncheon at the garage-mahal. (Thanks to Sharon and Ricky for letting us borrow it yet again.) The weather was beautiful and sunny so we could even spill out into the yard, which was good because we were full. We had great food, that I barely had to make any of, so thanks to everyone who brought something. I also made decorations and put them up to give the place a more homey feel, and let's be honest, I just like crafting so I will find any excuse to do it. I thought they turned out really cute. My grandma even said to me, "This is the first baby blessing I have been to where it was decorated." Ha ha, that's just me grandma. Everything turned out really well and I was so happy to see everyone and have them come and spend the afternoon with us. I guess I will end this novel that I am writing and just say that I am so glad that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has given me everything good in my life, and the opportunity to not have to loose it all when I die. I am more than ever dedicated to living a worthy and righteous life because I have a wonderful husband, baby and family that I never want to have to be parted from. Milo is amazing, I can't say it enough. He is worth every late night/early morning, dirty diaper, tantrum, or anything other unpleasant experience that can come with babies. (Luckily-he decides not to do those a lot and is mostly the chillest and happiest baby I have encountered.)
I'll try to stay more up to date and perhaps even post some videos in the future. If I can do that, then I won't have to write a novel every time I blog. But what does it matter, this is more for me really that it is for anyone else. I don't think more than 5 people read my blog, but it is just a good chance for me to document my feelings, experiences, and adventures of being a first time mom. It'll at least be good for me to look back on. So for now, I say goodbye to the 5 readers that I have somehow managed to get to read this extremely long and gushing post. :) Now you'll be privileged enough to scroll through the one million pictures that I have taken or had taken over the last month. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, so these might tell the story better than I do. (Oh and do me 1 favor, I am trying to decide what family pictures to blow up and hang on the wall of us at the temple and I just can't decide on the best ones. Comment and let me know what your favorites are to help me out. The pictures I am thinking about are numbered, so just put the number of your favorite picture in the comment spot, if you would be so kind.)