Custody Hearing

Today we had our custody hearing for Matthew and I must say our lawyer rocked it.  Sam Chiara represented us and he new his stuff.  It was such a nerve wracking wait, the counter party (Matthew's half aunt and her husband and all of their relatives) waited in the same area as us as we waited to enter the courtroom and to say it was uncomfortable is a complete understatement.  When we were finally let into the courtroom, the honorable judge Anderson heard our case.  After hearing both sides, he decided that it was in Matthew's best interest to remain with our family and set an adoption hearing for June 19, 2013.  As long as no one contests the hearing, we will be able to adopt Matthew that day and won't have to participate in another custody hearing ever again (hallelujah!).  So glad that the hearing went fast and I didn't have to testify.  That was a possibility if the judge decided that he needed to hear more from both parties.  Luckily our lawyer had done research and found a Utah law that states the mother has the decision to place her child with the family of her choice.  Brandy was there to testify that she did indeed choose us to raise and adopt Matthew, but the judge didn't feel it was necessary for her to testify at that point.  What a stressful crazy day, so glad things went well and we are one step closer to moving on with our lives.  

Matthew fell and had a boo boo on his forehead,
Connor drew a smiley face on the band aid to help it heal faster.