It happened, we FINALLY got to adopt Triston on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 8:30 in the morning surrounded by our most special friends and Colorado "family." What a wonderful day it was, filled with so much smiling and hugging and joy. We were truly blessed to have gone through this experience. Yes, it was hard but it was definitely worth it. It was so fun to arrive at the court house, because everyone arrived around the same time. Everyone was there for us, for Triston! The court room was so full of our friends that one of the attorneys commented he'd never seen so many people at an adoption before. Triston is one lucky kid to have so many people support him.
Anyway, at 8:30, they got started. We sat in the front of the court room and Travis and I had to be sworn in and then the judge asked us if we were prepared to adopt him and if we knew that we'd have to care for him throughout his life. He mentioned to our friends that our background checks came back clean! That made everyone laugh. He also mentioned that as he read our file and realized how close in age our kids are, he felt that we were special people for adopting. Maybe he thought we were a little crazy too, but we are, and we did the right thing by adopting Triston.
The moment the judge said Triston James Ravsten, I raised his hands in the air and he got shy! But, there was so much smiling going on. I teared up a little due to all the love and joy in the room. That is the part that felt the best.
The judge's wife used to teach at Prairie Hills. He called us up to the bench to take a picture, but first had to give our Prairie Hills "Larks" to our kids and Matthew and Jackson. He then gave them all a stuffed animal and we took our new family picture with the judge. What a joyful moment for all of us to look out in the crowd to all our friends as a new, complete family. Such a blessing.
Afterwards, we celebrated with donuts in the cafeteria! Then, everyone headed back to work and school. Matthew, Erin, Triston, Alex and I went to lunch to celebrate at Noodles and Co. Triston's choice and then he headed to school with donuts for his class. He was so excited to share his news.
After school we hung out for a bit and then went to Chic-fil-a for dinner. Our friend Barrie is the owner of the one near our house and she gave us dinner to celebrate! Triston got a great gift package and we got to eat whatever we wanted! Travis was a little embarrassed by the amount of fries on our tray. Proud to say we didn't eat them all! Anyway, we went home and called it a day!
As a side note, we have so much freedom back after completing this adoption. Triston and Ethan stayed home together for about 10 minutes while I picked up Kedzie from school today. It was huge! He can now go to friends houses and drive in other peoples cars. He can jump on trampolines and we don't have to get permission for him to go to Florida on Saturday! We can treat him just like we would any of our other children and we have no more caseworker/attorney visits. Such freedom. Oh and the biggest freedom of all, Travis and I can go on vacation together, alone! We can leave him for more than 6 hours at a time. We are currently planning our first trip alone in years. Can't wait.
Anyway, we are so grateful that Triston is a forever member of our family. We will have him sealed to us in the Temple on March 6, 2015 and can't wait for another experience filled with love.
Attendees: (not pictured, cuz the clerk cut them out somehow; Rich and Kami Ralphs), Eldon, Clinton, Kai, Leah, Betsy, Brenna, Mitzi, Jackson, Triston, Ethan, Travis, Emily, Holly, Kedzie, Alex, Jill, Erin, Matthew, Mike and Roisin, Ricky, Donna, Angela & Aaron, Lisa & Sadie. So much love!!! And there were many others who wanted to come and couldn't and sent their love and best wishes. Our Facebook pictures of the proceedings were filled with love and congratulations as well. It's so wonderful and overwhelming and my heart is full. I'll never forget this day.
The women in Triston's life...Malina King our caseworker, Josephine Lucero, therapist, Ashley Connelly, our old certification worker, Dana Tartar, Guardian ad litem, Theresa Ost, original caseworker, Cathy O'Donnell, adoption caseworker and Triston!
Best words ever!
Welcome to the family; officially Triston James Ravsten
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