Finalization

We had our court date today to finalize Beckham's adoption. In Utah you have to wait 6 months before you can finalize. I think its to be sure that you have "bonded" and that the child is "thriving" in your home.

After, Jason commented that its like a play. We all know each others lines and we all know the answers to each others questions but we just act it out for legal purposes. The lawyer asks the caseworker questions the caseworker hands organized documents to the judge the judge nods and uses formal words etc. etc.

I think its interesting what the state wants you to say under oath (yep, we were put under oath). We had to agree to treat Beckham like we would a biological child. They told us that when we die he needs to receive equal inheritance as the other children. They tell you that in the unlikely event of a divorce you both still have to take care of the child and get visitation rights. You need to agree that both you and your spouse want to adopt the child. It's all obvious stuff but interesting that they want it stated formally.

We had a different Judge this time and he was adorable! At the end he said he wanted to pay tribute to Beckham's birth mom and talked about how many abortions there are each year and that he was sure the 9 months of pregnancy weren't easy on her and how amazing and wonderful she must be. And she is. We adore both of our boy's birth mom's and have been doubly blessed by having them in our lives!

Judge Davis put his robe on Beckham for our picture.

The Judge let each boy try on his robe, sit in his seat, and hold his gavel!

Caseworker extraordinaire Loni

Fantastic Lawyer Paul

Welcome to our crazy family Beck!