court

We woke up this morning to a beautiful day.  It was cool and sunny, a light breeze blowing.  We got up and Skyped early with Eli.  He is having a blast with Mom and Dad.  Said he hasn't even opened the letters we sent him for the last 2 days!!

We finished getting ready and went downstairs to enjoy the morning outside while we waited to be picked up for court.

They arrived as we were taking our photo and we were off to court.  Summertime is construction time in the city.  Several roads are torn up, some completely shut down.  Others have traffic streaming around construction vehicles... I have closed my eyes many times, so very glad that we do not have to navigate the roads here!!

We finally arrived at the court building.  It looked the same as it had 4 years ago.  I snapped a quick picture as we were heading up the steps for court.  Handsome hubby, all decked out in his suit:)

We were the only ones in the initial waiting room.  Yelena said we came early... first case.  So nice to not have to wait.  After a minute, the rest of our folks arrived.  Elena, our interpreter, Yelena, the representative from the MOE, replacing Aleksandra, and Svetlana, the Baby Home Dr filling in for Galina.  They smiled and we talked a little.  They were very positive and seemed happy for us.

After a few minutes, a young woman appeared and we all got up and followed her.  The main waiting area was EMPTY.  We followed her down a hall and down some steps.  None of it seemed familiar to me, and I soon discovered why.  We didn't go to the "official" looking court room.  There was no podium for the speaking parent to stand at while addressing the judge.  There were 5 desks.  A small one to the left as we walked in, 2 medium ones along the wall to the right, a small desk with a computer on it a little further in the room to the right and a large sectional straight ahead.

They motioned Tim and I to sit at the table to the right closest to the door.  Then, with big smiles, Elena informed us that the prosecutor was the same person we had for Elisha's adoption.  I pulled out Eli's photos to look through while we waited and ended up passing them around to Svetlana and Yelena from the MOE.

Then there was a quiet, a swish of the door and in walked a tall, beautiful younger woman with beautiful black hair, large expressive brown eyes, beautiful complexion, and a large black flowing robe with a startling white neckerchief tucked in around the neck.  Our judge.  We all jumped immediately to our feet in respect for her position and she walked to the large sectional desk and sat down.  She did not smile.

She introduced herself and the other members of court, whom we had to agree to be there for the court hearing.  The next hour went almost exactly as we had been prepped for with Yelena the day before.  We were ready with the questions that were asked, at times I was able to pop in and answer a question or two, but it was mostly Tim.  When my turn came, I got all choked up.  She wanted to know how I could possible know this was to be my child and feel any love for her since I just met her.  Oy!! How do you describe love???? All the sappy songs I have ever heard flowed through my mind, all the pictures i poured over during our wait... the feel of her little body in my arms... Our interpreter said to take a deep breath... and tell of something she has done that has shown her personality... I mentioned the clothes... how it gave her such a kick!!

Then she was done with us, and asked the prosecutor if he had any questions.  NO ONE made eye contact.  Is it rude here?  I didn't know.  The prosecutor aimed his questions for us while facing the judge.  Once we answered he had no further questions.  For me, he wanted to know if I was prepared for the extra care a child so young would take... she is half the age Eli was when we brought him home.  Are we prepared to do the feeding and diapering? etc.

Then she went to the others there representing Lael.  The Baby Home Dr gave information on our baby- family background, when she entered the home, health concerns and current update.  She looked at us and smiled as she said that she just learned yesterday that Lael had 4 teeth on top, 2 on bottom.  She had only had 3/2 a week earlier when she had been checked.

She sat down and Yelena, the representative from the MOE stood up.  She spoke of the social aspects, no one coming to the baby home or having contact with the baby.  That all family members had been contacted and had signed off for the child to be available for adoption.  She seemed to be wrapping it all up, and then the BIG DEBATE started.

I felt quite bad for her, as the judge seemed very disappointed and a bit angry with her.  Elena, our interpreter leaned over and was telling us what was going on.  The judge was taking the MOE rep to task for not working harder to find a Russian family for a child so young and in pretty good health.  Why wasn't more done?

This debate went on for at least 20 minutes.  All I could do was pray!! I kept thinking and praying that the judge wouldn't decide to use our case as an example.  Find a Russian family for her- she is so young.... Prayed and prayed and prayed.

Finally, she wrapped up and the judge asked the Prosecutor to make closing remarks.  He stood and began to speak.  The judge stopped him and said something else to the MOE representative.  We felt so bad for her- for anyone to be put on the spot like that for the company they work for.  The prosecutor wrapped up his remarks stating that he was in favor and felt adoption into our family was the best course for Lael.

Then, we were ushered out of the room for the judge to look over information.  Elena came to me and patted my arm, you look nervous, she said.  Don't worry.

In just a few minutes, we were ushered back in and stood at our tables.  The judge read through the official court decree.  At the end, she said the court did uphold the request and granted the adoption be complete after one month wait for our daughter, Lael Ksenia Swingle to come home with us.

THE JUDGE SAID YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For any who have adopted, or are in the process, one of the sweetest words on a day like this in Russian is the word, "DA."

As we left the court house, we realized how wonderful it was to be the first case.  The waiting area was PACKED!!! Mass humanity waiting for their court date.  It would have made us much more nervous waiting in a packed room.

 

Congratulations, Swingle family!! You have officially added a new member!!

Here we are on the backside of the Court building.  Yelena jokingly said it is Florida in Krasnoyarsk.

What a beautiful day!!

God, how can we begin to describe how faithful and wonderful and awesome you are??? Your presence has been leading and guiding us, holding us close through this whole journey.  Thank you for placing Lael into our care.

WE HAVE A GIRL!!!