Court

We left the apartment about 9:15 in our finery and drove to the court house. Our appointment time was for 10:00.

When we got there, we showed our passports to security and then went upstairs, down the long, narrow hallway to an office. Our coordinator checked us in and gave them our dossier and other various papers. Then we waited. And waited. Standing in the hall. We were waiting for the orphan representative and the regional director. Then we waited. And waited. Standing in the hall. An hour after our arrival (10:45) we were shown into the court room. It wasn't very big. The judges desk is on a raised platform, there are 2 tables facing each other, and we sat in stadium type seats that were not attached to the floor so they wobbled when you sat or stood. Then we waited.

Finally (maybe only about 5 minutes), the judge arrived (we stood of course). And he read out loud the various papers and things that needed to be said for the record. We stood when our names were called, then sat. We were asked what we were requesting of the court: to adopt Misha & Anna, change their name, keep their birthdats & places of birth the same... Then more papers are read. The director is asked if there is any questions, as is the prosecuter, and the orphanage rep. There were letters from Misha (in his own hand) saying that he wanted to be adopted by us. And a letter from Babushka, releasing any claim she had and giving us permission to adopt. We were prepared for several more questions, but due to the time, the judge decided to retire to his office to deliberate. Everyone else was done and left. We went back to the hall to wait.

We waited for maybe 10 minutes and then were called to the judges office. We stood while he read the decision. It is quite a lengthy document, stating names, addresses, birthdates, etc. This of course is repeated for each child. Our coordinator was on my right and quietly tranlating the key points as the judge read.

I can't really describe all the thoughts and emotions going through me at this time. It was just so overwhelming. I was choking back sobs (as was William), and wiping tears. I thought to look for a tissue, but decided, it would be rude, so I just wiped them away. Our coordinator took my hand in comfort. It helped to ground me a bit. Even though there was still a ten day wait period ahead of us, this was the moment that we were declared parents to Misha and Anna. All our efforts. All our prayers. All the love we had for these children already. Missing Emily and Mason. The ways it had helped William and me to grow even closer. This was it. The moment it all came together.

We left the judges office surrounded by conratulations, took pictures outside, and returned to the apartment.