One year ago we woke up in Ukraine nervous and excited about what this day had in store. We were going to court today and would hopefully be given the opportunity to adopt Yulia and Bodgan. Of everything that happens in the international adoption process, this is the one thing I dreaded most, speaking in court. I am not a public speaker. I have the introverted, shy personality and I just wasn't sure how I was going to be able to do this. But, I didn't have an option, there were 2 kids depending on me and my sweet, sweet husband, well, he is just not much of a talker to those outside his comfort zone.
At 2 pm we left our hotel room and swung by the orphanage to pick up the kids and a nanny, their escort. We had no idea that Bogdan would be coming with us to court. Wasn't he too little to speak for himself and why were they putting him through this, were my thoughts. When we got to the courthouse there was a guard manning the doorway and we were not allowed to have our camera inside. We sat on a long bench in one of the hallways as people scurried by here and there. After a bit, the social worker and the orphanage director arrived. We tried to give them our seats but they refused and told us to sit. The kids sat so well and quiet and it was noticed by the social worker. She commented on how good they were and that we looked like a happy family. She was concerned that I would be cold with what I had on but believe me, I was hot and sweating because of my nerves.
Court was to be at 3 pm that day but the judge was about 30 minutes late.
At 3:35 pm we were all called back to his courtroom. In the courtroom were, the stenographer, the social worker, the orphanage director, two town witnesses that sat on either side of the judge, the orpahanage nanny, our facilitator, the kids and us. The judge entered the room and everyone stood up, just as ususal. There were things said that we obviously didn't understand and so we just took our cues from our facilitator. We had to stand and state our names, address etc. The social worker and orphanage director each stood and answered questions. Bogdan was asked to come and stand in front of the judge. He walked so slow up there and stood and shook his head yes and no to the questions with the biggest smile on his face. (This boy always has a smile on his face even when he is being scolded for a bad choice that he makes.) They must have asked him who his mama and papa were or where we were sitting because he turned and pointed to us. When he was done he sauntered back over to us and jumped back up on Gary's lap. Next it was Yulia's turn and she acted so shy and quiet.(Ok, so this girl is not shy and quiet once you break through that shell of hers.) She answered lots of questions and it eventually got around to, you know you are leaving everything and everyone you know and you are going far away and that this is your mama and papa. And, she said yes she understood all of that. As I sat there that day I was amazed at her bravery but as I reflect back on this I have come to the conclusion that she was not seeing it that way.(the leaving everything and everyone part) What she was seeing was what she had dreamed of for a very long time, a family that wanted her and a life in America where she could be free to be what she wanted. She was seeing the glass as half full not half empty. My awesome daughter!!!
Next came my turn to speak and oh goodness was I nervous. I stood and the judge asked me questions, through my facilitator, for what seemed like forever but was only about 20 minutes. The judge was suprised that I was answering some of his questions with just yes and no because usually "Americans like to talk." Well not this girl! After I was finished, the judge said a few more things asked if anyone else wanted to speak and then took a recess to decide if he would grant us our wishes. The children were then wisked out to a waiting taxi and off they went back to the orphanage. I wish they would have been allowed to stay as this was a very important day for them. Needless to say that all happened so fast that I do not have 1 picture from that day. :(
We went back inside the courthouse and waited. Then we were called back in to the judge's chambers to hear the sweetest words, I will grant the adoption, they are your children, Peyton Mae Bell and Caleb Fredrick Bell. Praise God!
And so today it is hard to believe that it has been 1 year. One year of some difficult times but much more good than bad. One year of learning so much about myself and just how much patience it takes to raise not 2 but 4 adopted children. Yes, I know, it takes alot of patience to raise 4 children whether biological or not but it is different when they were not born to you. They have "things" in their past that are so much harder to break through and overcome. But I love them the same as if they were born to me. God took us down this adoption road and I am so very thankful. He brought us the children we are supposed to have and oh how blessed we are.
~Tina
PS - Yes God, I am still willing to go back to Ukraine for more children if you want me to. : )
