February 24, 2005
Waiting for the letter
We sat quietly in our apartment this afternoon with our coats on, waiting for a 2:30 p.m. pickup to go to the adoption center. At 3 p.m. I called Natasha. She was on her way. She had called the center and learned that our letter should be ready at 3:55 p.m. We did not want to get too excited. We know how these things can go.
We arrived at 3:40 p.m., climbed the three flights of stairs and sat in the small waiting room with other families and facilitators. The center's door opened, they called our name and Natasha went in alone. She came out in less than five minutes….with our letter recommending that the court approve our adoption of Tara Vika. :-)
The letter says that this adoption "is in the best interest of the child."
We will go to the Kiev court at 8 a.m. Friday and ask the judge to set up a hearing for us as soon as possible. Maybe Monday?
We visited Tara after we got the letter. She doesn't know about these processes. She doesn't know about courts and complicated paperwork. She hasn't had any visitors since she was placed in the orphanage at 10 months old. Until we came along.
Posted by Laura at February 24, 2005 12:17 PMPosted to
Wow
Posted by: Karen Wiz at February 24, 2005 12:32 PMI have goose bumps. our fingers are crossed for a speedy conclusion.
Posted by: kwis at February 24, 2005 01:41 PMOhmigosh, every minute must have felt like an hour! But Yippee! I hope you ran out to the corner beer 'n vodka stand to celebrate! No better, yet I hope you got to visit Tara. Can she tell something special is happening? And of course it's in the best interest of the child! Just looking at your pics, anyone can tell that:-). I've got my fingers crossed for a speedy court resolution. Do you get to spend time with Tara every day, even on the weekends? She looks like such a smiley happy girl, even though she hasn't had a family for so long. The people who work at the orphanage must be really great. Even though it seems like forever being away from home, I'm glad you are getting a chance to let her know you so well -- that way the leap across the world hopefully will be less scary for her, or at least she'll know she's surrounded with love when she has all these new experiences. Besides family and friends, you're not missing too much here except wintry weather [I saw snow outside my airplaine window when I flew into Detroit -- of course, you have more than enough there in Kiev!] and the endless round of our fave reality shows. On the Bachelorette... oh, no, can't give anything away! You might have a couple TIVOs going at home and I'd hate to ruin the suspense -- though I suspect your hands will be full when you get home.
Good luck and tons of xoxo, mm
Congratulations! I'm so happy the letter got signed! I've got tears in my eyes hearing you've been her only visitors ever... Gosh, it was meant to be. Well, she'll never be alone in the world again, thanks to you guys & Austin. And she's made about a 100 other friends, family & well-wishers fall in love with her too, so far! Tara Vika's starting a new life! Hurray!
And hurray for her lucky parents & brother, too. All of you, come home soon. We're all waiting for you!
PS: Congratulations, Grandma Jeanne!
Posted by: sally at February 24, 2005 02:53 PMSounds like your almost home!!! Congratalations on getting the letter.
I teared up when you said that you have been Tara's only visitors. Sad.
What a change she is in for!!! Tara will be so happy to have the 2 of you as her new Mom and Dad. And she even gets a Bonus...Austin!!! She will be in heaven!!
LAURA AND JOHN; WHAT WONERFUL NEWS. I WILL HAVE ANOTHER GRANDCHILD. TARA HAS A SP
ECIAL MOM AND DAD, AND BROTHER AUSTIN. I AM SO HAPPY HAPPY ABOUT THE NEWS,ITS MAKING ME VERY TEARFUL. LOOKING FORWARD TO HUGGING HER.
HOPE EVERYTHING MOVES ALONG FAST. TARA WILL BE SO HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU AND JOHN, AND AUSTIN, IN HER NEW HOME WHERE THERE IS SO MUCH LOVE.
lOVE YOU- ****MOM**** GRANDMA (6)
Posted by: mom -grandma at February 24, 2005 04:46 PMWow! Another major milestone.
TO bad the process only moves 1 mile an hour.
Another weekend in Barbados
Another weekend in Monte Carlo
Another weekend in Kiev...oh..could be worse!
My thoughts on the first things the family will do when all return home.
John:
1. Go to club and work out for 4 hours
2. Drive the car around the block 50 times
3. Take the Hat for a walk
Laura:
1. Re-paint the kids rooms
2. Open the pile of US mail-looking for bills
3. Make dinner from scratch for the whole family (this is the fantasy part)
Austin:
1. Hug mom
2. Hug dad
3. Hug sister
Tara Vika:
1. Cry
2. Laugh
3. Sleep
Hi sally: thanks for the great greeting.it is so special. we all are getting very anxious.
Aunt jeanne
Posted by: grandma jeanne at February 24, 2005 04:54 PMHI DAVE; I LIKE YOUR COMMENTS , THEYMAKE ME LAUGH. i AM SURE LAURA AND JOHN ENJOY YOUR MESSAGE. lOVE MOM
Posted by: MOM at February 24, 2005 05:08 PMYeah@!!!!! I can only imagine how you must have felt when you finally got that letter! Congrats on getting one step closer to bringing your little Tara home! (She is such a little cutie!)
Posted by: Wendy Wendland-Bowyer at February 24, 2005 10:46 PM