Sydney Is 'Ours'!

On August 6, 2011 Sydney's adoption by Jeff and Britta was official!

It was exactly 6 months to the day she was born and we were in court.  11am sharp!

It took place in downtown Provo at the 4th district court.

The judge and attorney were both in their ward and are their friends.  They made the proceeding very personal and special.

A lawyer who had just finished some business in the courtroom before the adoption finalization, commented that he had never seen such support for an adoption.  There were a lot of us family and friends there this day.

 I took this picture just because. 

 Britta, Sydney, Jeff

 She is the happiest little cutie.

 Love the blingy bracelet.

 Grandma Birk's necklace was a hit!

 Britta had everything ready to go.

Except:  one little snafu!

The birth mother's attorney forgot to send the signed release.  Ahhhh!  It got a little tense as phone calls were made across the country until the proper form was faxed and finally received.  All was now in order.  Whew!

 Things are finally underway.

 Britta and Jeff being sworn in.

They were asked a lot of questions under oath.

I didn't know that was part of finalizing an adoption.

 Sydney was getting antsy.  Britta came and got her from Jenelle, and she was pounding the table as if to say, "Hurry up and get this DONE!"

 11:38 am.

The judge pounded the gavel and pronounced it finished.

 The judge had so many kind things to say about the blessing of this adoption.

 The legal team and the Birk Family.

 Judge.

 Lawyer and Judge.

 Grandpa Richard and Grandma Jenelle and Aunt Amy.

 Richard and Jenelle hosted a little reception at their home afterwards.

Jenelle had a sweet theme of everything yellow and lemon.  This cake was really deliscious.  White cake with lemon curd filling.  Of course, I love that combination.  It was even some of the layers of my wedding cake.  There is a woman in their ward who does specialty cakes and she did this one.  Look how sweet it is decorated.  She also did Jeff and Britta's wedding cake.

 Table touches.

Beautiful flowers, figurine of a new family.

I haven't seen nut and candy cups in ages!  They were the perfect finishing touch.  They took me back years ago when I was growing up and they were included in every special event.

The star of the day.

Sweet Sydney.

CONGRATULATIONS!

I was so glad Chris, Shaun, and I were able to go to this.  We weren't able to get back there two weeks later for the sealing in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.