Here come da Judge...Here come da Judge...Order in the Court cause here come da judge!

Please forgive the Flip Wilson reference, but I just couldn't help myself. Today was our hearing, and it went well. We got up early and headed to the courthouse at 9. We went with the other couple from Minnesota who are here adopting twin boys from another orphanage nearby. We got to the courthouse and waited for a pretty long while as our driver also had to pick up the Inspector and the representatives from both orphanages. At about 10:20, we were escorted into the Judge's office for the hearing. This was very different than last time with Erick. Last time we were in a big courtroom, and it was quite imposing. Today. we were in a smaller office. The Judge sat behind his desk with two assistants (we really didn't ever understand what they were there for?) and the court reporter and her assistant sat at a small table to his side. We sat on a bench with our facilitator facing the judge at the other end of the room.

The hearing began with procedural matters (getting names for the record, etc.). Then the judge read our petition. He asked us both individually to tell why we wanted to adopt N, to affirm that we were aware of his medical status and past background, and that we intended to comply with the post-adoption responsibilities of Ukraine (reports and so on). He then heard from the Inspector and the lawyer from the orphanage. It was particularly sad when the lawyer gave N's history of abandonment and lack of visitors (but that's all about to change!!!) Then he asked us to state what we wanted the court to do. We told him we desired a favorable judgment for N to be our son and to change his name to Nicholas William Morton. That was it. He excused us from the room as he deliberated for a couple of minutes, and then we were asked to return. (Denise and Erick were late as Erick had to hit the bathroom during the break--no one who knows him will be surprised--BTW, he says the plumbing was fine!!). The judge declared his judgment. We are Nick's parents pending a 10-day appeal period in which someone could contest our adoption. We don't expect that to happen. Everyone here seems very pro-adoption. We got a great picture with the Judge and the rest of the cast that I'll post later :)

After court, we went to the notary's office to prepare the petition for his passport. We can't file it until we get his birth certificate and get it registered in Odessa (probably the 24th or 25th), but we still got at least one thing out of the way. Then we headed off to lunch and back to the hotel.

We didn't get to see Nick today, but it will be great to be with him tomorrow morning. I think we have decided not to get him out of the orphanage until we are ready to head out to Kyiv. We want to reduce as much trauma for him as possible. For a kid that is used to living on a regimented schedule, our next several days after the 23rd will probably be a little more crazy than will be good for him. We'll have plenty of time to settle in together in Kyiv and on the trip home.

We were hoping to get done to be able to fly home before the 8th of March, but today, reality set in for us. Likely, we will not get to Kyiv to begin the process for the medical exam and visa until March 4 or 5 at the rate we are going. At most, we might be able to shave a day or two off that, but I think March 8 it will be.

Our facilitator headed back to Kyiv this afternoon, so it looks like we'll be on our own here until the 23rd. I guess we'll settle a little farther into our routine...

It's raining cats and dogs here today, and we aren't feeling too great. Erick is tired. Denise has a headache, and I have a sore throat. I think that adrenalin has waned for the moment. God is good, and he has certainly given us more than we need. We are so thankful for all your love and support along the way. Please don't stop praying yet! We are just rounding the corner on the halfway point of our journey.

Enough for now...

Blessings,

Rick