Adoption Court Day

God was with us last Monday in court!  The adoption court session lasted 1.5 hours of very serious discussion and testimony.  It was very stressful not only for me, but for K too.  Thankfully, she was excused from hearing most of the testimony, but she also had to testify while I had to step out of the courtroom. 

In the end, the judge deliberated for about 10 minutes, and came back to inform us that the adoption was approved, and would be legal on November 16, 2009.  Hallelujah!  What my lawyer didn't tell me prior to the court session was that this Prosecutor hasn't been approving any adoptions which seperated siblings, but she did approve my adoption...thanks be to God again! 

K was VERY relieved, as was I, and I snapped this photo of her all smiles!  After the court session, we all went over to the orphanage for a little party for K and me with all her friends, and to see her brother.  It was nice for K to see everybody, especially her brother and her best friend.  The little girls were laughing when K talked, because they said K has an American accent when she speaks in Latvian now!  Can you imagine?!

We took some photos to remember the visit, and all were so happy to see how happy K was.

We still have a 30 day waiting period to go through before we go back to Latvia for our final trip to complete all the paperwork, have K's interview at the US Embassy, and have her final medical exam. This trip will be in mid-January, 2010.  This trip will be much more relaxing for everybody, and we're hoping to have her brother with us during our stay to visit more.

God's PEACE and JOY, EP

Safely In Latvia

After a 15 hour trip, we landed safely in Latvia, thanks be to God!  It is cold and damp here, although it is unusually sunny here at this time of year, I have been told...very similar weather as in CT, except it gets completely dark at 4pm! 

I cannot use any contracted words and many symbols on the computer I am writing at, because the keyboard has all the Russian and Latvian symbols, and none of ours...it is strange!

K and I had a really nice day today, now that we have caught up on sleep a little more.  K is eating all her favorite foods, and really enjoying it so much!  We are definately getting a Latvian cook book, and she said she will translate for me...the food really is good, and while I can make some food similar to what she likes, there are just some really good salads and ways to cook meats that I need to learn to do! 

We visited a friend of Ks today, who owns 2 ladies accessories stores in Riga.  She is Russian, but does not speak Latvian.  K could not believe that she had forgetten so many words in Russian...and then later when we were in a store, she was forgetting some Latvian words too!  She could not believe it, and said she really thinks she is turning into an American girl!  It was pretty cute.  She said she wants to buy some Russian and Latvian books and music to bring home with her to help her remember her languages.  I told her it is like riding a bike, she will never forget as long as she practices.  And she is busy watching her favorite TV shows to help her remember too!

Today when we were walking around, and K told me was really cold, even though she was wearing a winter jacket, although it is a short winter jacket.  At the time we bought it, I strongly advised her to buy a winter jacket that was a little longer to keep warmer, but she chose fashion over being fashionably practical.  She said to me that she has to be a better daughter and start listening to me all the time, not just some of the time, because I know what I am talking about!  Out of the mouths of babes!

So, we will be picked up tomorrow at 1 pm by our lawyer, who will drive us to court in Jelgava, which is at 230pm.  K does not seem as worried today as she was before we came.  She is also excited to see her 3 friends at the orphanage, and give them some gifts we brought along.  Still no word if we will see her brother on this trip or not.

Gods PEACE and JOY, EP