Our big Week... End. Before our new beginning.

After the already documented day of court on April 25th, C.G. was out of it...

... but still oh so good and cute. Daddy didn't mind lending her a shoulder. :)

The kids totally earned a little swim party after naps. They had the best time together and Evan figured out how to make the squirt toys squirt water for the first time ever:

um... yes. this IS the cutest bathing suit you've ever seen. ha ha. it was a gift at her baby shower that is finally fitting her. I couldn't bring myself to putting a big ol' diaper on her cause her buns looked so adorable in it! Thankfully she was potty free.

 Fast Forward to Saturday, April 30th, We are at the temple to FINALLY be sealed to Cora Grace. Ahhh... What a beautiful day it was by the way.

 And the friends and family that were able to make it to the ceremony are below (minus Chuck Scott who had to get home to Freda who wasn't feeling well. Sorry we missed getting your picture!). It was fun to take everyone's picture individually with Cora Grace. She loved it too? :) ha ha ha.

2nd couple: Amy and Asher, we had only met through the phone and computer through Tennessee FSA and we invited them to come, partly so we could finally meet them! Thank you guys so much for coming to our sealing, it was very special to have you there to celebrate the joy we share in Adoption.

 Here's the girl of the day... Cora Grace. Her dress was made by my sister in law Jennifer who is married to my brother Bennett who came to the Sealing and Blessing with my mom. Ben and Jen are the parents of Juliet (thier #4) who is 4 hours older than C.G. and just as cute. Let me just also mention that Jen made this dress while caring for 4 children, one being a nursing 6mo old and a husband. She hurried the job too because we thought we would be doing this 5 months ago. I am so happy her dress still fit after being made in December. That is a little blessing cause she worked so hard on it and I loved the design so much. Thank you Jen, you know we love you so much, we wish you and the kids could have made it out but we'll plan another time for you to make a trek to Tennessee from California. ha ha ha.

Our friend Rachel took many of these pictures of us. Thank you so much, we really appreciate your generosity and we got some good shots!

don't worry, that's Rachel's shadow to make sure she didn't fall while I took this picture. whew.

see! ;)

Not only did Jen make the dress but she made this bracelet for Cora and she even made it the whole day before riping it off and losing it. I found it later near her crib. Thankful. :)

My Mommy, Karla and my brother Bennett (6th of 11 children) were the representatives for my 10 siblings. :) If only airfair wasn't so ridiculous right now, more would have been able to make it but we were happy that anyone could come from California and we definately felt the love of all my family who wanted to come. I'm working on a transporter for any future events ya'll want to come to so you won't have to miss so much work or spend so much money to come see me (and vice versa). We enjoyed the 2 of you. We aren't used to that little of family around when we're together are we? ha ha ha. Usually we have around 30 people minimum at our family get togethers... homesick for California all the sudden.

Our local temple here in Franklin/Nashville Tennessee. We feel so blessed to have a temple so close to our home.

Sunday, May 1, 2011 was Cora's blessing. Michael gave it and was assisted by Bennett W. Spencer O., Stephen J.,  Christopher W., and Joel R. (maybe missing someone? hope not, sorry if I am). It was very nice: blessed that she was surrounded by love by parents, family and ward family. that many prayers were given in her behalf that she would be here. blessed to be strong, healthy, happy and that she has a sweet spirit. she will have a strong bond with her brother. blessed to recieve an education where she will seek knowledge and share it with others. she will be blessed with a love of the scriptures and the words of living prophets and testimony of Jesus Christ that she will share with others. blessed to choose a worthy husband who she will go to the temple with and be sealed as a family and to have children. At the end she was blessed again to know she is loved by all those around her.

When Bennett came back to sit down he said she was doing gymnastics in their arms, ha ha ha. Michael said she did a 360. :). Normally babies are around 1 month and sleeping when they recieve this blessing but Cora's couldn't be done until finalization and she was practically a toddler. Good thing they were all strong men. :)

4 others besides myself took notes of the blessing, thank you so much. Not only will I keep it for her but now my family who couldn't be there can 'hear' it. :)

Papa George and Grandma Jennie came from Nashville to hear my blessing.
 (although I'm not sure how much they heard as they were graciously entertaining Evan so I could hear and write what I could. Thank you!)

Evan showing some love to his official sister. It couldv'e been worse. ;)