Court Day

Today we woke up bright and early (some earler then others...Andrew was up at 6 am) to get ready for our big day. We got all dressed up and impressed our translator and driver. They looked shocked that I know what make up is and how to use it (I don't use much of it here). We were then taken to the court house and told to wait in a lobby for our room to become available. A secretary came out and informed us that the judge and prosecutor were waiting for us...the baby house director wasn't there yet. Our translator called her and we then had to wait. When the director arrived we were informed that the prosecutor had vanished somewhere and to go back to the lobby to wait. After about 15 minutes everybody was tracked down and all is good. We then had to stand in front of the judge and make our case...this is really much easier then it sounds. Andrew was first asked to make a little speech (he had been practicing it for a couple of days) and then was asked some questions by both the judge and the prosecutor (about 5-6 in total). I was then asked to stand and did I have anything to add...well no as I helped write the speech (not what I said obviously). I was a little blubbery and managed to answer my 4 questions. After this the director of the baby house and the lady from the ministry of education were questioned. This went fairly well (the judge got a little angry at the lady from the MoE). After this the judge and the prosecutor left the room so they could make a decision. We waited about 20 minutes and then the judge came back and told us that the court approved our petition and that after the 15 days of mandatory waiting our girl would be ours.

We were told not to post pictures of our girl until after the mandatory waiting period. It is during this waiting period that her birth mother or other family can come forward and say "hey we want her back". So to be a little cautious you all will have to wait until after our Gotcha Day of May 3rd for photos. But we can tell you her name...Dinara Elliott Lea Pearson. Dinara (Dee-nar-rah) is her Kazak name...it means money. Elliott is for Grama Pearson (her maiden name), Lea is for Grammy (Sharon's mom's maiden name) and obviously Pearson because she is now part of our clan.

Sorry about the lack of pics...I know some of you were really looking forward to that. But I would like to remain cautious for just a little longer. I hope you understand. We are still waiting for her provisionary VISA from Moscow...this wasn't a problem for court today (thank God). We will keep you updated. Lots of love to you all.