Today we went to court. It is what we came here to do, To adopt the girls. The court was near the orphanage in the next town . Things were quiet although when we walked in Ashley wanted to know what the iron cage was for off to one side of the room. We were told this is where the defendants sat in criminal cases but as ours was a civil case it would not be used today. This was somewhat a relief to Ashley. The court we attended was on the third floor and it was difficult to decide if we should keep your coats on for the building was cold, or take it off out of respect for the judge and matter at hand. There were twelve of us in the room and at least four more doing paperwork in the background; All gathered at that time and place to decide and oversee two girls joining our family. Petitions were read, laws and obligations spoken of and explained. Both our family history and that of the girls were shared with questions asked. Ashley was asked if she was positive on wanting to go through with the adoption, she said yes. It had been her idea and she wanted sisters.
When Alina was asked “Are you willing to be adopted by the Bunton family?” I found her answer to the question interesting. Alina said when her sister Alessia returned from the Home Stay program Alessia told her about us and that we said we wanted to adopt. Alinia was not ready to say yes during the Nine months I wrote them letters, and even when we first came though she had been willing to sign the SDA statement saying she was willing, she had not made up her mind until after she had met us and had gotten to know us as a family. I can appreciate someone who is not ready to give their heart away without serious consideration. I hope I can be worthy of the trust she is placing in our hands
After an hour a fifteen minute adjournment was called for the judge and two council members to confer. They then returned to the court and gave a fifteen minute ruling stating that our petitions were to be granted and the two girls would now have our last name and their birth mom's first name for each of their middle names. We were all very happy and hugged as a family as court let out. Our interpreter told me later it was the fastest adoption case she had ever attended.
Now we wait for ten days. During this time we can continue to visit the girls when their school classes are done for the day and have them stay with us on the weekend with the director's approval. After the ten days are passed up we can apply for the new birth certificates and international visas and then travel back to Kiev for our meetings at the US Embassy
Susan is already checking airfares home. I was napping on the floor of the flat and she is telling me the British Air price of thirteen thousand for the five of us. That will wake one up. Well we have not purchased those tickets and we will keep looking. We are hoping to reach Chicago to Unjetlag and see our oldest daughter around the first of May. We are half way there.
Love you all. Thank You for your prayers and comments of support.
For those of you who would be interested I am keeping my eye open for good children who are searching for someone to love them and say; I will come and get you, I will redeem you, I will call you my own. When ever I think of this process I can never get around the realization this is what our Lord did for us. We have only to stand up and declare, Yes I accept His invitation.
You may message me on my face book, or email me privately at boringoneinc@gmail.com
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