Part 24 Court Part II

The morning we had waited for had arrived. Our first court appointment was at 11am. One Month from the day we left the states.
We were picked up @ 7:15am at our apartment. We then had to go pick up the Director of the Orphanage and her son who were on vacation/ rest in Berdyansk. Side not it seems that everyone in this country is always on these month long rests. No wonder nothing gets done here everyone is always on Holiday, Vacation or Rest.

We got to the Directors Resting place @ 7:30 she was to be ready. Our driver called her and she said she and her son were eating breakfast. We were already irritated that we had to pay to drive her to Zaporishia and that there would be two adults and two kids crammed in a back seat of a car for 3 hours. You would think it would just be part of these people's job to be at the court appointment for adoption but No... Every step we take in this process is like we are beggars.
After 30 min of waiting she finally finished her breakfast and we were off to the Summer camp to pick up Illiah. When we got there they called Illiah and I had Illiah change into the court clothes we got him. The Director came up to me and said she would be back in ten min. She took the driver and left us stranded at the camp for an Hour and a Half!!! We had no Idea what was going on. There we were stuck wool suit clothes and all waiting for the director. She finally showed up @ 9:45am. Our court appointment was @ 11am and it is a 3 hour drive.

When she showed up she was in a new change of clothes. I am not sure why she changed she was already dressed up when we picked her up after breakfast. I had the driver call Victor so he could explain to me what the heck was going on. He asked me what was going on. the director told Victor that we were late and that is why we had not left. He thought we were on our way to Zaporishia already. He was surprised to find out we hadn't left yet.

Victor thought the Director was stalling on purpose because she didn't want to go to court and that she prefers the Italian's adopting children over the Americans. Victor made it clear he does not care for the Director. She has proven to him that she is dishonest and does not care about the children. This was obvious as she did not speak a word to Illiah during the 3 hour car ride. One of your orphans is getting adopted and you have nothing to say to them?!?

So finally we were on our way. There were four of us in the back seat The director, her son, Illiah and I. The Director and her son sat side by side taking up 3/4 of the back seat. It only left enough room for my butt so Illiah had to sit on my lap. Now I love my Son but 80 lbs on my lap for 3 hours while I am in a wool pair of pants squeezed up against the Ice Queen and her son is more than I could take. the boiling point for me literally was the lack of A/C, Oh the car had A/C but the guy who is controlling it is in a sleeveless mesh shirt and short shorts. Why can't the driver wear more clothes. I am in wool pants sandwiched in like a sardine with an 80lb heating pack on my lap while, Driver man is only half dressed.

Victor had lots of speculations as to why the Director would make us 2 hours late for court but all I know is she made us two hours late to a court date we have waited a month to get. then lied to Victor about the reason why.

Well with a Miracle from God and a little wheeling and dealing from Victor the court waited two hours for our arrival. I don't know who was more shocked the court waited, Us or the Director.

When we got to the court we were whisked right in. There were 11 people in the court room. The Director, Inspector, Lawyer, Secretary, 2 Jurors and the Judge. We were expecting the judge to be harsh from what we have been told but we found him to be nice just a stickler for the rules.

I was the first he asked to speak to. I stood and he asked me why we wanted to adopt this child. I went through our story, from trying to have a baby, to hosting Illiah, to starting the adoption process, to getting pregnant. I explained that our families future only exist with a new baby and Iliah. I explained that God has blessed us twice. After telling our story the whole court room burst in to smiles, laughter and chatting between the officials. The judge then spoke to Heidi who looked as pregnant as she possibly could. She shed a single tear as she told the judge of her resolve to adopt Iliah even though she was pregnant. "And the Oscar goes too..."

The Judge then asked Illiah to stand. He was obviously nervous but so cute. The judge asked him if he had spent time with us. Illiah said three weeks. The judge asked what the three weeks was like. Illiah talked about our home, his room, London our daughter and the two nice Sabackas(Dogs) He talked about all the things we did over the three weeks. The judge then asked if Illiah wanted us to be his parents and that we were only adopting him not his siblings. Illiah said yes and understood. The judge then told Illiah that his two older siblings would soon be 18 and they could assume guardian ship of him so he wouldn't have to be in the orphanage. Illiah said he knew and still wanted to be adopted.

The judge then ruled an approval for the adoption and scheduled the final court date for 1 week later. We shook the judges hands and waited in the hall for Victor. Victor was very pleased that we got the quickest court date of any of the previous couples. Victor said that the judge and jury really liked us and our story.

The Director decided not to ride back to Berdyansk with us, she wanted to take her sons friend back with her so she decided to take the bus. Illiah had to go back with her on the bus. And of Course I had to pay for 4 bus tickets to get them back to Berdyansk.

Victor and I had so many words we wanted to share with the Director but Victor said it best when he said" I keep those things hidden in my soul so she cannot make trouble for the adoption. The longer I am here the more I am amazed at what character and strength Victor possesses.

Fortunately the Director said she would be sending someone else from the Orphanage to our second court date.

God is Good!