We are officially Mia’s parents! We put on our business attire and arrived early to court. We were met by a very stern looking woman judge, her secretary, the prosecutor (also a woman), the director of the babyhouse, and the director of the office of Family and Children. We read our speech aloud, taking turns and waiting for our translator to tell the judge in Russian, the words from our heart. I tried to fight back the tears welling in my eyes as we told them of our intentions. No luck. I had to brush a few off my cheeks while I was speaking. We were only in there about half an hour and we were sent to the hall to wait for the courts decision. We were in the hall about 15 minutes (seemed like an hour) and then we were asked to come back into the courtroom (her office). Gavin and I stood hand in hand awaiting the decision. It seemed to take forever, as we cannot understand Russian and she seemed to be saying a lot. Until finally, our translator told us the court granted it’s approval of our adoption of Mia! They also granted that her birth certificate be changed to her new name. We are so excited and full of joy. I really let the tears flow down my face! The director of Family and Children was watching me the whole time and she was smiling ear to ear! I am glad that she can see our feelings for Mia and we feel that she knows Mia will be loved and well cared for with us. In Kazakhstan there is a 15 day waiting period for court judgments to go into effect. We will return to bring her home about August 16th.
We immediately went to visit Mia at the Hospital. We stayed with her and played for an hour and her doctor granted us another 1 hour visit later today before we go. The director of the babyhouse said she will call tomorrow and have Mia sent back to the babyhouse until we return. This makes me very happy. She will be with her friends and caregivers until mom and I come for her. The next 2 weeks will go by very quickly and we are excited to catching up with our kiddos at home. Just a few more weeks now, and we will all be through this. We will be able to establish a new ‘normal’ around our house. I am so looking forward to that.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support during this long process. You will see and feel the love of this little girl very soon!
Today’s pictures are one of us after court with Mia (she just wants to get down though, not take a silly picture…) and one of her talking to me. Silly girl......
Well, this is it until we see you tomorrow at home! We will be arriving in Indianapolis at 12:30, just in time for lunch with our kids! Give us a call in the evening if you'd like.
BIG HUGS and MANY BLESSINGS,
Sonja (and Gavin)
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