We were met in our hotel lobby this morning by our facilitator and translator. We reviewed the process and were assured that all of our paperwork is in order and that we have nothing to be concerned about. Arrived at the court house just before our 10:00 appointment. Waited about 20 minutes (nothing ever happens on time in Kaz). The judge read us our rights and the interpreter swore to translate accurately. Frank gave his brief speech which included our names, DOB, where we live, our annual salaries, why we chose to adopt, why international adoption and why we chose Kaz, etc. He concluded with a formal request to please grant us the adoption of these 2 children that we have grown to love. He also requested that their names be changed on the birth certificates and that our names be added as their parents. We also showed the judge some pictures of our home and family. Then the head doctor from the babyhouse spoke on our behalf. She talked about the children's medical history, how they arrived to the babyhouse and how no family has come for them and that no Kazak citizen has shown a desire to adopt them. Next the representative from the Department of Education spoke. She discussed how the children were properly registered for 6 months according to the Kazak law and that she has witnessed our 15 days of visitation with the children. The judge recessed for about 15 minutes so that she could "think about her decision". She called us back in and told us that our adoption has been granted, these children are a gift from Kazakhstan to us and that the adoption will be finalized in 15 days (December 1st).
After court we went to the babyhouse to celebrate. We had a quick visit with the kids. We asked to take pictures of their beds (I'll save those for tomorrow's post). The sleeping rooms are seperate from their play rooms and we had not seen them yet. I asked Rachel to show me her bed. When I entered her room I told her how much I liked it, how pretty it was etc, then I kept asking her to show Mama which one is hers. All off the sudden she dropped to the floor in tears. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Finally the caregiver and tranlator told me that she thought that I was trying to make her take a nap without lunch! Poor baby. So much for that idea. We quickly calmed her down and took her to the play room. After our visit with the kids we went with our facilitator and translator to the Director's office and celebrated with Champagne and chocolates as that is the tradition at this babyhouse. It is a tradition that the botttle of champagne be emptied as left overs represents tears being left behind.
