COURT

Today was the day of court for us.  We knew that our judge was difficult but we were hoping at this point she had everything she needed and court would not be to brutal.  WRONG!!

Court was at 10:00 AM and all were in attendance.  The orphanage Director.  The Prosecutor. The law Guardian of the children.  The Social Worker and the court appointed observer. Our Coordinator. Our translator and the Judge. 

The judge went around the room many times and requested certain people to speak.  Dennis gave his speech which he did wonderfully.  I then spoke and was told by those in attendance I did well and was very convincing.  The Judge then called for a one hour break and the Director told the judge he had a meeting so he go and asked if he could  speak before the break and then leave (lucky lucky him)  I think he was skipping when he left the courtroom.

So we went and had a few sodas and back to court.  The Judge then had a few others speak and everyone had the same conclusion that it was in the best interest of the children to allow us to adopt them.

Then the judge read aloud every single piece of documentation in our file.  Out loud every single document - by the way we have 3 homestudys completed over the last 2 1/2 years  and of course everything was translated to us as she spoke.  She went over everything.  Then she asked if we had any additional comments and Dennis spoke first asking again for her to grant our adoption.  I spoke and told her we have been waiting 8 months to bring our children home to please grant us our adoption.  The Judge then announced and adjournment for 10:00 tomorrow morning.  No one saw that coming and it was 4:00 in the afternoon.  Our Coordinator jumped up to advise her we had train tickets this evening and flights back to the States in the morning...........................all of us were in shock and Dennis and I just couldn't believe it.   Our Coordinator explained never in history did court take 2 days.  The Judge was pissed and reprimanded our Coordinator for not preparing properly and she left the courtroom. Everyone was in disbelief.  She returned about 15 minutes later and allowed the Prosecutor to speak and again she was in favor of our adoption.  She went around the room again and asked a few more questions. The Judge left again to make a decision & she returned about 25 minutes later and finally announce her decision and did she keep us hanging...............

YES she granted us the adoption of Angelina Capri and Anthony Christopher as our children. 
YEAH FINALLY WE ARE THE PARENTS TO OUR CHILDREN!!!!

We of course could not go to the orphanage to say our goodbyes to our children as it was close to 6:00 PM.  Dennis & I are sad about that but do know they wouldn't have really understood and we do know that the Social worker,  who was very supportive and kind to Dennis and I will explain to the children that Momma & Poppa will be back to take them home. 

WHEW................so tonight we sit in the hotel lobby waiting to take our 10:00 PM  - 10 hour train ride back to Moscow.  We have a 2:40 PM flight home to arrive in NY at 5:00 PM Friday evening.  We will go home and pick up Nicholas on Saturday.

Right now we can expect that we (Dennis) will be travelling back on/around September 1st to begin the process of bringing our children home.  Our children will be starting the 3rd year of their lives at home with their family just in time for their 3rd birthday on September 9th if all goes well!

We are very very happy and cannot wait to begin our lives together finally as our family will now be complete!!!!

We thank you for your good wishes and love as we know we couldn't have gotten through all of this without the love, support & kindness of our family & friends and for that we are so grateful!!

Sincerely,

DND