No orphanage visit today, we did go into town for some shopping for gifts for the orphanage and to have lunch with Dameli, our regional coordinator. 

Last week, Myra told us that Luda has been telling her friends that she was going to ask us to buy a gift of a sewing machine for group. Evidently the last couple that adopted from the orphanage made such a donation and it was a hit with the children.  With the "heads up" from Myra, we were ready when Luda asked us if we could make a similar donation, although she prefaced with "only if you have the money".

Natasha and Azamat picked us up at noon today in front of our hotel. Our first stop was at a sewing shop that featured fabrics, sewing machines, irons, thread etc.  We purchased a very nice heavy duty machine and iron for the group.

We also intended to purchase individual gifts for the girls in Luda's group, so Natasha took us to an inexpensive market where we purchased 40 pairs of socks, hair fasteners, small child sized nail polish and glitterly lip gloss. We will wrap into small gift packages and give to each girl.

Lunch was with Natasha, Azamat and our coordinator Dameli. She coached us on what to say and what NOT to say in court on Tuesday. She also told us that we will not find out about the waiving of the two week waiting period until two days after court. So evidently we won't a better idea of our timetable for returning until about Thursday or Friday. We also found out that the method for obtaining passports has changed in the last couple of weeks and that we may be slightly delayed because Dameli has not processed a passport under the new guidelines.

Right now, I am typing the days activities while Kevin is drinking shots of vodka with two new Kazak friends that he met while taking photos in the lobby. They are very gracious, this culture, and appeared in the computer room with vodka, wine, and yes, you guessed it, and a horse meat appetizer. As I understand it, horse meat is a delicacy, much like caviar.  So far, I had managed to escape the horse meat the entire trip, but just ate three pieces so as not to offend. Feeling a bit like a cannibal, and with watering eyes and a tumbling tummy, I type the last of this entry. Please forgive me all my equine friends! arg....don't tell Gabe & Kramer!

Monday, January 31

The start of our third week in Ust and the day before the court appearance. We met the representative from the Ministry of Education who seemed very nice, with lovely smile and she gave us an explanation of what would occur tomorrow. We each have to give a short speech about why we want to adopt Luda, then the judge will ask us some specific questions. At the end of the proceedings, we have to ask him to consider waiving the 15 day waiting period. Our reasoning for doing so is to get her into school in America as quickly as possible so that she will not be too far behind her age group. Court is at 9:00 am and should last about 30 minutes. We will know immediately if the judge grants the adoption, but won't know about the waiver for the waiting period for another couple of days. Keep your fingers crossed!

For our visit today, we did get to spend the first hour with her reading a teen magazine which she loved. We could tell she was indeed reading, because of the intense concentration and the little moving lips. There were four posters in the magazine, she kept one and gave the others to friends. We also played a game that featured four princesses, in which the goal was to dress each princess (put together like a puzzle) with the correct color of gown, jewelry, shoes etc. (Kevin was the green princess and says that he rapidly lost interest in the game) But I would say that he became quite competitive and tried to steal colored glass slippers from the rest of us! Of course, Ms. Luda won the game, with a little help from her Dad. :)

Lunch again was with Super Myra, Dameli our regional coordinator, Natasha and a couple of the administrative staff. Myra reiterated the fact that she is planning on coming to visit us in America and wants us to find her a single, wealthy man.

A note on breakfast at the Beibars, we had tomato, bologna and cheese thick crust pizza that was delicious. In addition, we had cake, veggie plate, fruit plate and toast with sausage. 

Not many photo opportunites at  the orphanage because we were meeting with the representative from the ministry today...

Tuesday, February 1

Today was the big day. Court was at 9:00 a.m. Our driver picked us up at 8:00 and we were surprised by an special passenger, the orphangage had allowed Luda to go with us. We were not expecting that, it was very poignant to be able to share in the day with her--they must have known that.

When it was time for us to enter the judge's quarters, Luda remained outside with our regional coordinator. Natasha, our interpreter, the representative from the Ministry of Education and the social worker from the orphanage accompanied us. First we each made statements about why we wanted to adopt, why from Kazakhstan and a little about our support system. The judge listened intently (although answered a couple of phone calls, little disconcerting!) and proceeded to ask us some questions regarding our financial status, orphanage procedure etc. The social worker and the Ministry of Education representative then stated their cases in support of the adoption. Then it was time for the prosecutor to respond--she made things a bit more exciting by grilling the representative about attempts made to contact Luda's mother prior to the adoption. It appears that her mother is no where to be found, but most likely still in Ust. The judge asked us to leave the room so that he could make a decision, called us back about two minutes later and rendered his verdict.  As we were holding our breath and our tears, he announced that he approved the adoption. Whew!!!  We then made the case for waiving the 15 day waiting period, but prosecutor made a motion to deny. (which is standard procedure)  We will know in a couple days, but it was difficult to tell which way he may be leaning.

Since most had not eaten prior to court, we went to breakfast at Masalitsa's. It was delicious as usual--and quite the experience, since it was Luda's first time in a restaurant. She was delighted by the service, the food, the napkins, the silverware--everything. After we finished eating, she proceeded to clean up our plates and stack the dishes neatly in the center of the table. (this delighted her father, since I usually cook and he cleans up, he has new little assistant!)

Back at the orphanage, we had a short fashion show with Luda trying on her new clothes, to the oo's and ah's of her friends. Feb. 1 is also N'Asia's birthday, so there was a celebration for her going on when we arrived. She had a gift of perfume (Luda shared this with us, including her dad), a copy of a photo of herself done in an Andy Warhol style by Jeff Boone that we brought to her and a birthday card. In Kazakhstan, instead of spanking for each year, you pull a person's ear--so her sister was tugging very enthusiastically on her right ear.

Super Myra hosted a celebration lunch for the adoption that also included a special guest, the head of the Ministry of Education in Ust. A very nice man, he told us of watching the Hallmark Channel and crying over the movies presented there.  Myra brought out a bottle of vodka and a bottle of brandy, we all joined in with various toasts--including the head of the Ministry. They made several very kind statements about us and wished us well as parents, but also indicated that every adoption is very much a success for them. Their goal is to find these children families so they are so happy when one is adopted.  After several toasts, we were all pleasantly exhausted and ready for a nap.  We returned to the Beibars and did just that.

A very memorable day.