Court Today!

The court building (the only one in Izmyil for all civil, criminal and administrative matters) is down the street from our flat.  We really could have walked, but Zhenia insisted that we drive.  More professional.  Walk to SDA.  Drive to court.

We arrived before the kids.  They came separately with the lawyer for the orphanage.  GameBoy arrived with his short haircut, new sweater, new coat, too big slacks and a HUGE smile on his face.  Giggles was buried in her coat (girls size 12 with sleeves rolled up), striped turtle neck, blue cable cardigan sweater, adorable jeans with heart patches on the knee, the coolest little girl boots and her normal beautiful smile.

We gathered inside and waited for the inspector to arrive.  We were about 30 min early for our court time at 3pm.  Everyone was excited and a little anxious.  I don’t think Vivian breathed until court was over.

A little after 3 the court administrator called our case, and we moved into the court room to wait for the judge and jury to come in.  We were surprised that there was another couple there for an adoption (Ukrainians adopting a younger child).  We knew we were being squeezed in.  We just didn’t realize HOW squeezed.

The judge and 2 jurors arrived and took their places at the head of the room.  The Prosecutor was on our right and the inspector and lawyer for the orphanage on our left.  Zhenia sat with us and translated the proceeding.  GameBoy and Giggles sat with us on the front row.  Emma and Vivian sat behind us.

The judge read our petition and then asked us questions.  Each of us had to stand, state our name, birth date, address, and occupation.  He also asked each of us if we had been told and understood the health of each child.  He asked Cliff about our other children, so he introduced Emma and Vivian.  He asked me why we wanted to adopt.  We each had to state our request for the court to approve the adoption petition.  Then he asked for the comments and recommendation of each official.  The Prosecutor stated that he “fully supported” our petition in the interest of the children.  The inspector and the attorney also supported the petition in the interest of the children.

We expected the judge to talk to the children.  Perhaps ask their thoughts about the adoption or somehow gage their understanding of what was happening.  He did not.

Then the judge and jury members adjourned to consider the petition.  In the interim, we chatted with the Prosecutor (through Zhenia) and played quietly with the kids.  The prosecutor has a good sense of humor, and law is his “family business.” 

The judge and jury came back about 15 min later.  The judge read the whole order and pronounced us a family.  Then he wished us good luck.

To celebrate we took the kids to have pizza.  We gluten free folk tried local Ukrainian salads (my opinion, all were good) and either borscht or chicken soup.  Then we took the kids back to our flat.  GameBoy thought it was “so cool.”  We visited with the kids, told them that we had to go back to the States for a few days, and gave GameBoy a GameBoy and 2 games to play while we’re gone.  Then we had to say Good Bye.

I can’t tell you how hard it is to leave them here even for 10 days.  I know they are okay, but I will miss them terribly.