Trinity's Special Day!!

The morning of the hearing was very stressful! Everyone needed showered and dressed nicely (Hunter's idea of nice is wearing a pair of basketball shorts that he has only wore one other time...nice try dude!). Because it was only the second day of school we didn't want the big kids to miss the whole day so we were trying to get them off to school. Once they were gone John went to get a haircut while Trin and I got ready. Trinity comes into my room as I am getting dressed and hands me my cell phone "Momma, I need to call grandma Lynn." So I dial my mom's number and this is what I hear "guess what grandma, it is my special day today! You are going to be there right??" This was the first of many times of tears. We went to get the big kids around 10:45 and then we were off. By this time my nerves were off the charts. I was nervous, anxious, excited, etc. We had been waiting for this day for so long that it was all kind of surreal. I kept thinking to myself "Is this really happening?"

Side note: John and I have known for a very long time that our family is not complete. We know that we are meant to have more than two kiddo's. When we started fostering we hoped that the experiences we gained would help prepare us for adoption, should an opportunity every arise. Well, 11 months ago when we got Trin we had a glimpse into the possibility of adopting her. The whole process is an emotional roller coaster, but we are so blessed to have the opportunity of having her in our lives forever!

We got to the courthouse and was joined by family to share in this amazing day! As we entered the courtroom our atty told us that Trin needed to go in first. She bent down and asked Trin if she would go into this big dark room and turn on the lights for her. As Trin walked in the lights automatically turned on. Trin whips around to us with this huge grin on her face and tells me "Look mama, I'm a princess. I made the lights turn on with magic!"

Judge Leonard was the judge to preside over the hearing and he really made it special for us. He spoke mostly to Trin and the big kids.

John and Trin waiting for things to start.

Judge Leonard told Trin that in order to make it official she needed to get hugs and kisses from everyone in the room. She started with me and made her way slowly around the room.


Showin' Pa a little love


Here you can see Trin placed between my Mom and Roger. She was done giving out hugs and hopped up on the bench and got cozy. The Judge asked her if she wanted to come back up to the front and her response was "um, no! I am just going to visit with my grandma Lynn and papa." We all got a good laugh, forever my social butterfly!

The fam with Judge Leonard

Just outside the courthouse ~ giving Morgan a little love

All the family

Kelly, Grams, Papa Rick and Pa (Kelly is an officer for the city of Eugene and was able to take some time off work to be there with us ~ hence her cool clothes!)

Grandma Joyce, Grandma Lynn and Papa Roger

All of the grandkids ~ I love this picture!

Me, Mindy & Trin

So after the hearing some of us went to Red Robin for lunch. We had this amazing server named Stu. As he came to take our drink order Trin looks at him and says "Guess what ~ its my special day today." He asks her if it is her birthday and she tells him "Nope, today I am a Sepulveda!" Seeing his confused look my mom explains what today was all about. As we finished our meal Stu comes up to the table with desserts ~ on the house he tells us, for the special day. About five min. after that the entire Red Robin staff comes out to the table shouts "Congratulations, Welcome to the Family!!" and hands Trin a huge bouquet of flowers and a card that was signed by all of the staff. Trin was on cloud nine and John and I were getting some watery eyes. It really was incredible. Trin carried her flowers everywhere with her when we got home. It wasn't until about four hours later that I convinced her to let me put them in water. "The flowers are thirsty honey, they need a drink."

The cherry was the most important part
Notice the cherry stem in her hand....The cherry was the first thing she ate and she refused to put down the stem. She held on to it until we got home :)
Little Miss Morgan

This was a great shot ~ the element of surprise!
Daddy and Jazzy


Mom and Rog ~ True love under the neon burger sign!

Trin with her flowers

Trin and her flowers watching the Care Bears because "Mom, it's my special day and I don't think I should take a nap...."

Thank you to all of our family and friends that have given their support through this looooong process. Trinity was immediately welcomed into everyone's lives with such loving arms, it was almost as if she was born part of the family. I know that our Father in Heaven has a plan for each and everyone of us. He knew that Trinity was meant to be with our family and he knew that with us she would have a loving home and be surrounded by family on all sides. So many of our family members have not had the opportunity to meet Trin face to face, but she knows who you are and she talks of you all with absolute love. We have talked about trying to get down there in the near future and she always gets a huge smile on her face and starts giggling. When you ask her whats up she will say with a smile ~ I will get to meet more of my family. She is very aware and we couldn't have asked for a more amazing kiddo. Thanks for making it to the end of this post and in a way sharing our special day with us! Much love to all! ~ The Sepulvedas