We "Got Em'"

Today was a HUGE day in the Cassady household! We got the boys up and gave them their "gotcha day" presents, which were Bibles with their new names engraved on them, and then we got ready and off we went to the courthouse for our hearing.

When we got there we had to wait about 30 minutes, but in the process got to see how much love our boys are going to have the rest of their lives! The judge was definitely shocked when so many people showed up for our hearing! Nana, Gramps, Grandmother, Papa, my Aunt Margie, Aunt Allie, Uncle Daniel, Aunt Stephanie, Maggie, (Uncle Marty is away on business or we know he would have been there) Aunt Staffanne, Uncle Kyle, Uncle Drew, Alicia (who should be called Aunt),(Aunt Catherine was definitely with us in spirit!) Amy, the first lady I talked to about the boys in August, Erin, the boys previous therapist, Michaelle, another state worker who has won our hearts, and Misty, who has been with the boys since Brandon was just a few months old! She said I was adopting her kids today and I am so thankful for her and all of the staff we have worked with and for what they have been able to do for our boys! Our lawyer and the boys lawyer were there too and we appreciate how much they did for us in getting the court date set so soon after papers were filed!!

I promised myself I would not cry because this was just making it legal, my boys have been "my boys" since the day we met them. Well, I broke the promise I made to myself! The judge asked what the boys names were going to be now and I couldn't say them loudly because I was crying! It was something about saying Cody Daniel Cassady and Brandon Thomas Cassady aloud in front of a judge and all of these wonderful people that made me realize how much God has blessed our home. Mom was hugging me bye today and said "I love you Emily, do you know how much?" and for the first time ever I said "I am beginning to mom." I never knew how much you could love a child. One of the best parts of today was when our lawyer said "you understand you are taking responsibility for these children as if you had given birth to them" and my heart was just happy because I couldn't love them anymore than if I had given birth to them.

Here are a few snapshots of the day. So many friends and family took pictures so I am sure I will have more to add on here and to my scrapbook! (Which I guess I need to work on!)




My precious friends at school made our family this precious cake. Thanks Neesa, Katie, and Mechelle!!!





Here are all of us crowded around the judge! The pic is far away so we could all get in it!




Here are the 4 of us with the judge. He gave the boys stuffed animals for today! How precious!?!?!




Here is the back of the UK shirt Nana, Gramps, Aunt Allie, and Uncle Daniel got for the boys.




Here's Brandon's shirt.




Mom and Dad bought me this necklace with the word Forever Family 2-23-11 on the back... check out the front on the next pic




It has two boys on the front, I love it! Mom and Dad also bought Adam a new pocket knife with today's date engraved on it.

We also received a gift certificate to Carter Lumber from Marty and Stephanie for our future tree house! I am excited the boys are going to get one, only hurt that Adam has said it is FOR BOYS ONLY! :) I am hoping they'll make an exception for mommy's!

I am feeling so blessed today and am so thankful for the prayers of my friends, which I believe is the only reason we are where we are today, through the power of prayer!

Happy Gotcha Day Cody and Brandon!!!!