COURT HEARING #1

We were picked up by our Coordinator at 9:30am. We were joined in the van by the Adoption Center Social Worker and our Translator Olga. Once we reached the Court house, we were told to stay downstairs while everyone met with the Judge in her Chambers. While I cannot fully discuss what when on in closed doors during the hearing (Russian adoption is considered confidential) I can share with you that there was a full review of ALL of the documentation that we were required to turn in, including the new paperwork the Judge required us on our first trip. There was also review of all of Antonina's paperwork from the Adoption Center and the Baby House.

At the beginning of the questioning it got a little rough, but after I started to pray and we asked God and ALL of the Angels to come down and help us, things, believe it or not started to get much better. The mood in the room changed completely...... The judge asked to see the pictures and the photo album we had made of Antonina and we she saw her pictures she was sold!!! She saw the photo album twice and selected pictures from the album herself, even though we had already selected some for her!!! That was a good sign!! The prosecutor also smiled when she saw our little Angel's pictures, and let me tell you, she was not easy to get a smile out of!!!! But she did, so far everyone has fallen in love with her!!!

I would like to formally thank Donnie, my sister Claudia, my sister Ana Maria and my best friend Sol for their letters of recommendation towards Mauri and me. Let me tell you that the judge read them out loud in front of everyone and my eyes started to cry, but this was a cry of gratitude and happiness. Happiness to know that we have a beautiful family and beautiful friends who have helped us and supported us during this long journey. Mauri and I say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you to all those of you who in one way of the other have assisted us some how while we have gone through our Adoption Journey. We could not have done it without you guys. We are blessed to have you in our lives......

After one hour and forty-five minutes, we were done with the first court hearing. We received the next hearing for Monday, March 23rd at 10:00am (Tver time). We will visit with our little one in the afternoon. We have made special arrangements with a taxi driver to come pick us up. We are also going to visit with her on Saturday in the morning, after her nap and in the afternoon after her last nap. I will post more then. Take care everyone and don't forget to leave us comments. It is the only way to know whose reading our blog. Thank you to those of you who have left comments :o)........