We are in Moscow!

temperature today: Moscow -10 C, 13 F

We spotted a tired couple from the US in the passport line. I could just tell by the look on their faces that they were here for the same reason we were. Plus, she was wearing the same boots I was, different color :) Adoption agencies advise clients not to discuss their business in Russia & usually we don't. This time though I want to share our joy, encourage them for their journey & settle any fears that may have. After a few questions w/ vague answers, they knew we were there to adopt as well. The northern CA couple shared that they were on their first trip to visit a sibling set of 3: 6 year old twins & a 5 year old sibling. We chatted through the passport line, through customs & finally while searching for our luggage. We decided to carry on all of the kids' clothes because I was so worried about it getting lost. Ironically, both of us had a missing bag, but then found both bags hiding behind the Customer Service desk...we didn't ask. We said goodbye as our drivers took us to separate exits & I prayed for their trip. It took forever (almost) to get to our hotel. Apparently, we were in Moscow Christmas traffic. It was so hard to keep my eyes open after missing a night's sleep. After an hour & a half ride, our driver joked that it might take another hour to drive the last few blocks. Soon after this comment, we ended up walking behind him the rest of the way to the hotel since the traffic was so backed up. We checked into the hotel, grabbed a bite & then were off to sleep.

To the airport we go!

temperature today: Denver 24 F

We purposely left the morning open so we could have breakfast w/ everyone before we left. Grandpa & I went to the donut shop & then Starbuck's for the kids. I decided to just drink my coffee at home, bad choice- it never happened. I had to order one more Christmas gift I had forgotten (gotta love Amazon!) & then we were off to the airport!

This is it!

It's been a busy week. We finished our math books & officially started Christmas break, got carpets cleaned, cleaned house, packed, got dryer fixed, did laundry, put up Christmas lights, stopped by library, picked up milk, had last PE class & prepared for the grandparents' arrival today. Corbin also fit in a last-minute dentist appointment this morning- he had a crown pop right out of his mouth last night! I had to give up a few items on the list that I just couldn't get done no matter how I planned the day. We still have a pharmacy stop to make tomorrow on our way to the airport & grandma has offered to finished wrapping the presents we couldn't get to. I think we are ready...

My longest birthday ever!

The train pulls into Moscow at 4:45am. Our driver picks us up. It is early, but there is no traffic. He congratulates us on our adoption. He tells us that making our flight will be tight. We will have to run to the airport. Our flight leaves at 6:50am.

It's 5:50am. I can see the airport! He pulls up to the curb, grabs my bag & shouts "run!" Oh, he was serious! I throw my bright pink carry-on over my shoulder & run! Corbin is in front of me with his bag & carry- on. We get through the security line & then we run again. We get to the counter to check-in. Our driver hands me my bag, points to where we go next & says "I will see you next time!" As soon as the words "thank you" come from my mouth, he is already halfway through the crowd. OK, I hope his car doesn't get towed... We get our tickets, wait through customs & arrive at our gate just as they begin boarding. As we sit down in our seats I remember, it's my birthday! It'll be my longest birthday ever. I will start the day here in Moscow, then celebrate in London during our lay-over & finally at home in Denver. What a day!

Our Day in Court!

We are thankful to have a court date today! We had to change our train tickets, extend our hotel in Kirov & cancel our hotel in Moscow, but we should still be able to make our return flight home. It turns out there was a local official, from the town the orphanage is in, who wanted to meet with us. No one scheduled this or told our translator & since a visit is not required, the paperwork proceeded without his signature. The judge called the official yesterday, told him to sign the document & send the social worker to Kirov with it. So, we try this again. We get all dressed up, arrive at the courthouse, show our passports & wait on the fifth floor outside the courtroom. If someone told me 5 years ago, when I began praying for another child, that I would be here, I'm not sure if I would have believed them.

As we are waiting, we spot the social worker walking by. Looks like we are good to go! They call us in. There is a court reporter, the prosecutor, the social worker & another woman we haven't met before. The judge does most of the talking. Through our court translator, the judge asks why we want to adopt more children if we have 3 already. He asks why we want to adopt from Russia & if Corbin's job is stable. He wants to know where our 3 kids are now & if we have enough seats in our car. He probes about adoption issues, special needs issues, cultural issues & language issues. He wants to know how we have prepared for this adoption & how much adoption education we've had. He inquires about how we discipline our kids & especially how we feel about physical discipline. He asks about our church, schools, socialization & if I'm willing to drive 5 kids to different schools every day. Lastly, he asks if we have met the children & if we like them. The prosecutor has only a few key questions for us. Then the social worker gives her report. She sites some observations from our visit with the kids. She mentions the fact the I traced their hands & feet, that Corbin played trucks with O, that I played girl stuff with L, that we bought them puppets, photos & a Skype-like video from our kids, along with gifts for L & O for her birthday which we will miss in a few weeks.

He reads their files. He asks if we have any questions. He asks if we would like to have anything reread again. He briefly retires to his chambers. He returns & grants us the adoption of L & O! He says congratulations & wishes me a happy early birthday. Our court translator escorts us out of the courtroom while he speaks with the social worker.

We were not allowed to take any photos in the courthouse. I would have liked a photo of him with us for the adoption book. As he leaves the courtroom, he stops for a moment in the hallway to shake our hands & congratulate us again.

We get back to the hotel, pack our bags & leave for the train. The next time we return to Kirov, we will be picking up our children's paperwork!

Court?

We are up early & ready to go! It was hard to sleep last night. I ended up praying & checking out Facebook at 4am since we have free Internet. Our translator picks us up at 10:30 & we get a cab. We arrive at the courthouse. The security guard at the desk asks for our passports. He remarks about Obama winning the election a few hours ago. We walk through the metal detector & another guard looks through my bag. We wait upstairs on the fifth floor. Our court translator shows up & briefs us on some of the common questions the judge will ask. She tells us that there is no need for the photos we brought with us. This judge will not want to see them. It is almost 11am & everything is set. Our translator asks the court translator if the social worker has arrived. She calls her. I comment to Corbin that many Russian people seem like they are yelling by the tone they use. We are told that court usually takes about 30 minutes. I look at the time. In 30 minutes from right now, we could be the parents of 5 children! I thank God that He has brought us here. There were so many roadblocks, so many times that I cried out to Him because it seemed like this was never going to happen! But, here we are. 

I'm rapidly shaken out of my day dream. Our translator is upset & is actually yelling. She tells us that there is a problem. I smile but, say nothing. She explains to us that the social worker who observed us on Monday is not present. She is the witness from the Ministry of Education & holds part of the documents we need. Apparently, there was a signature missing from one of the documents therefore, she didn't come. OK. There are no words. OK. What else can you say? We are here. We are ready. We are all dressed up for goodness sakes! It is quite a strange feeling to not have any particular feelings about something so important. Maybe I'm in shock? I just wear this odd smile across my face because I know there is absolutely nothing in the world that I can do. Calmly, I pray- alright Lord, how are you gonna get us through this one? I am fully aware that the judge could tell us that we will need to reschedule & that could be three months from now.

The door opens. They call us in. The judge explains that we can not proceed since the paperwork is not complete & the witness is not present. Since the orphanage is a 5 hour drive from the courthouse, there is no way that this can happen today. He tells us to come back tomorrow morning at 10am. Thank you Lord ;)

Day in Kirov

We arrived back to Kirov late in the evening last night. We're up in the middle of the night again. We chat & watch some Bollywood movies in Russian. It's a free day today. We try a little cafe for lunch & get some souvenirs. Tomorrow is our day in court!