And The Judge Says

by tara - 2007-12-04 22:00:00 ( in family, adoption, holmes, travel) [php version] rebuild (146)

She's ours!

It's official! Elizabeth is ours. The court hearing went very smooth. It took about an hour and a half. There was a judge, prosecutor, a rep from the Child protective services, and the Minister of Education. They had a lot of questions about our parenting style, our finances and guardianship of her in the event of both our deaths. They asked some questions that really surprised us. Like, "if you divorce, who will get custody of her?" We have to admit, that's not a question we had considered. But, we managed to come up with an answer that was satisfactory to them.

So, now we start our 10 day waiting period. We will be allowed to see her once a day everyday, except Sunday during the 10 days. We will take her from the orphanage on December 10. Then we have another 5-7 days in Astrakhan to get her passport and translated adoption papers.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, I think they worked! But, keep it up, because we're not outta here yet!

Tara

UPDATE: Recently discovered this map showing the entrance of the orphanage on yandex.ru

Comments (We enjoy free speech. Try not to offend, but feel free to be offended.)

Thank God! I'm so happy! Can't wait to meet her!!! Please hurry and get back before we leave! - sandy, 2007-11-29 08:00:39

Congratuations! Cannot wait to meet her. - Dawn, 2007-12-04 02:02:15

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Here is the complete blog of the adoption experience in paperback form, Russian Adoption: From Nashville to Astrakhan and Back (PDF). And here is the fictionalized, future "homeland tour" (action adventure) version in various forms: on Kindle, various electronic formats, and in paperback.

This time next week.... — Preparation — The day before — Travel day — In the air — We're in Moscow — Moscow — Check out time — We're in Astrakhan — It's only Monday? — What a day... — Tuesday (2007-10-02) — It's a girl! It's a girl! — Wednesday — Thursday — Great visit — Sights of Astrakhan — Another great visit — Last visit for a while — Atlanta! — We're home! (10/06) — Round two — Skora mweh tam boojum — Internet access — Elizabeth's room — Mweh yeddum v aeroport eta ootra — In the air again — Back in Moscow (11/26) — Tuesday (2007-11-26) — Back in Astrakhan — Russian adoption consultant — Comments welcome — Showtime! — And the judge says...... — Success! — The day after — Saturday morning — Much better visit today — Beet salad — Went for a walk ... — Its going to be a good week — She's warming up to us — Light at the end of the tunnel — Picture of us before court — More pictures — She's ours! — The first hours of parenthood — Bowel movement — Sleep, what a concept — Update — Nothing much to update about — 51-1/2 hours — Just another week to go — Pictures of our life in Astrakhan — Back in Moscow (12/18) — Moscow update continued — Update to the update's update — To the embassy — Can't leave early — Still in Moscow — Riding the Metro — Riding the Metro, part deux — We're home! (12/23) — A few pictures — Airport arrival — Stay tuned — More pics — Summary — Doctors say she's normal — Adoption video — Holmes Russian adoption videos — Adoption videos updated — Our Russian adoption story

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