Ten Day Count Down!
8 years ago
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
More Court
Some of my new friends are about to have their court date and have asked me to share more about court.....so, here are some of the questions the judge asked me:
Why did I decide to adopt from Russia instead of the US
Do I have insurance that will cover the child
If illness develped, would I return the child......(yeah, they really asked me that!!)
Several times they asked me to describe my house
How long will I stay home with the baby and what kind of care will she have once I return to work.
What is my income.
How much do I owe on my home.
What is the average income where I live
Do I know how to make Russian Porridge
Explain what I've been told about the child's health issues
Who will care for the child if anything happens to me.
What sleeping arrangements had I made for the child.
Are my family and friends supportive
What is my religion.
Several times she asked if I was sure I wanted to adopt this child and said they would understand if I did not want to proceed. I suppose giving me an opportunity to back out or testing my reactions. I finally said I wouldn't be there if I weren't sure.
What to wear to court:
I was told to wear something colorful....not a dark suit. Because adoption is a cheery occasion and my wardrobe should reflect that. I did wear a blue suit, but with a bright top and bright scarf.
Shoes
As you may know, Russian women have some sort of shoe fetish. I wore my Uggs the entire time, but for court I wore high heels......as seems to be the custom. But be forewarned....you are standing the entire time in court. And wear dark hosiery....don't make my fashion faux pas. Pantsuits are ok for women. All the other women in the courtroom had on pantsuits except my translator. PS - There were 7 people in the courtroom, including me, my translator and the judge. The room was small.
Photo Album
Take it. Fill it with pix from previous visits with the child. Make sure you have a picture of you and the child and your spouse and the child (if applicable). Put photos of your home...interior and exterior.....and take pix of your home with you in them so they know it is your house and not some photos you pulled off the internet. Also put pix of you with family and friends and of you participating in activities with friends or while participating in your hobbies.
That's all I can think of. Let me know if you have more questions.
Why did I decide to adopt from Russia instead of the US
Do I have insurance that will cover the child
If illness develped, would I return the child......(yeah, they really asked me that!!)
Several times they asked me to describe my house
How long will I stay home with the baby and what kind of care will she have once I return to work.
What is my income.
How much do I owe on my home.
What is the average income where I live
Do I know how to make Russian Porridge
Explain what I've been told about the child's health issues
Who will care for the child if anything happens to me.
What sleeping arrangements had I made for the child.
Are my family and friends supportive
What is my religion.
Several times she asked if I was sure I wanted to adopt this child and said they would understand if I did not want to proceed. I suppose giving me an opportunity to back out or testing my reactions. I finally said I wouldn't be there if I weren't sure.
What to wear to court:
I was told to wear something colorful....not a dark suit. Because adoption is a cheery occasion and my wardrobe should reflect that. I did wear a blue suit, but with a bright top and bright scarf.
Shoes
As you may know, Russian women have some sort of shoe fetish. I wore my Uggs the entire time, but for court I wore high heels......as seems to be the custom. But be forewarned....you are standing the entire time in court. And wear dark hosiery....don't make my fashion faux pas. Pantsuits are ok for women. All the other women in the courtroom had on pantsuits except my translator. PS - There were 7 people in the courtroom, including me, my translator and the judge. The room was small.
Photo Album
Take it. Fill it with pix from previous visits with the child. Make sure you have a picture of you and the child and your spouse and the child (if applicable). Put photos of your home...interior and exterior.....and take pix of your home with you in them so they know it is your house and not some photos you pulled off the internet. Also put pix of you with family and friends and of you participating in activities with friends or while participating in your hobbies.
That's all I can think of. Let me know if you have more questions.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Court
Wow....I'm finding it hard to keep up with my blog these days.....wonder why??!! Haha.
So, I will try to start posting during nap times.....I've been paying bills, so I'm putting that on the back burner cause it's depressing.......
So, anyway, I have alot of catching up to do. So, I'll start with COURT.
I was so dreading going to court. I had heard this particular judge was really tough. I was her first case of the morning, so I was hopeful I would catch her in a good mood that morning. I did.
She did ask some provocative questions, but none I couldn't answer. Although I was a little stressed, I knew there was nothing in my background that would cause alarm. I had also checked and double checked my documents and knew everything was in order and all income figures matched on each form.....something that seems to be an issue for some people because you fill out one form on month and another six months or a year later...and your salary may have changed, etc. Anyway, all that was good and I felt stressed but confidant.
The one thing she kept harping on was the ECONOMY. Lots of what if questions....what if I lose my job, what if my mortgage company demands full payment of my home, what if, what if. I kept answering, but she always came back with "anything could happen, what if, what if..." Finally I said my father was raised a farmer and if worse came to worse we'd all move into his house and grow a garden and live off the land. That was the only thing that satisfied her questions about the ECONOMY. Funny, now...but it wasn't at the time.
I made a fashion faux pas by wearing light colored hosiery with my skirt. Everyone kept pointing and staring and speaking in Russian and I knew they were talking about me...finally my translator told me. Oh well, whatever. I wasn't there to make a fashion statement. But, the Russian women are very fashion conscious.
So, I came out of court with a favorable decision. Hugs all around. The judges last statement to me was "you are now the parent of this child and you are responsible for her well-being from this day forward." Yay!!! But, I have to wait 10 days to get her.... a "cooling off period"....huh? Now does that make good sense to anyone? How can I be responsible when I can' t even get to her for 10 days. I wasn't even allowed to visit her but once due to the distance the orphanage was from the city. So, I made the Trans-Atlantic flight back to the states to complete some theatre business and returned after we all "cooled down".
So....Sophie is awake from her nap.....more later.
So, I will try to start posting during nap times.....I've been paying bills, so I'm putting that on the back burner cause it's depressing.......
So, anyway, I have alot of catching up to do. So, I'll start with COURT.
I was so dreading going to court. I had heard this particular judge was really tough. I was her first case of the morning, so I was hopeful I would catch her in a good mood that morning. I did.
She did ask some provocative questions, but none I couldn't answer. Although I was a little stressed, I knew there was nothing in my background that would cause alarm. I had also checked and double checked my documents and knew everything was in order and all income figures matched on each form.....something that seems to be an issue for some people because you fill out one form on month and another six months or a year later...and your salary may have changed, etc. Anyway, all that was good and I felt stressed but confidant.
The one thing she kept harping on was the ECONOMY. Lots of what if questions....what if I lose my job, what if my mortgage company demands full payment of my home, what if, what if. I kept answering, but she always came back with "anything could happen, what if, what if..." Finally I said my father was raised a farmer and if worse came to worse we'd all move into his house and grow a garden and live off the land. That was the only thing that satisfied her questions about the ECONOMY. Funny, now...but it wasn't at the time.
I made a fashion faux pas by wearing light colored hosiery with my skirt. Everyone kept pointing and staring and speaking in Russian and I knew they were talking about me...finally my translator told me. Oh well, whatever. I wasn't there to make a fashion statement. But, the Russian women are very fashion conscious.
So, I came out of court with a favorable decision. Hugs all around. The judges last statement to me was "you are now the parent of this child and you are responsible for her well-being from this day forward." Yay!!! But, I have to wait 10 days to get her.... a "cooling off period"....huh? Now does that make good sense to anyone? How can I be responsible when I can' t even get to her for 10 days. I wasn't even allowed to visit her but once due to the distance the orphanage was from the city. So, I made the Trans-Atlantic flight back to the states to complete some theatre business and returned after we all "cooled down".
So....Sophie is awake from her nap.....more later.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Home
Sophie is home now.
She landed on US soil on March 18, 2009.
More details later. We're recouperating from the flight and getting adjusted to new.....everything.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Presenting....Sophie Alexandra
Court is over and I'm officially a Mama!! I hope to have this precious little one home by March 19th. She'll be a Southern Belle in no time!!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Court Appointment
I'm flying back to Russia on Wednesday for my COURT APPOINTMENT. Once this judge pounds her gavel, it will be official.
I want to say that I'm nervous because I've heard this judge is TOUGH. But, honestly, I'm not nervous at all. I'm preparing myself, but I'm just not apprehensive. I may change my mind once I'm standing in the court room though...haha. I just feel really peaceful and calm about it. I'm bringing my girl home and that little girl in the Siberian orphanage is MY girl. Let the courts and the judges say and do as they must. At the end of the journey that little girl will be in her very pink bedroom in Mississippi.
I'm finally feeling the end of the fantasy and the beginning of the reality. I'm so anxious to get her home and start helping her strengthen her body and mind and teach her all kinds of things. My nephew is also anxious to teach her some very unladylike things that I'm sure I will disapprove of.
I must say, today is the first time I've felt like this little girl is my daughter. I don't quite feel like a mother yet. Isn't it odd.....I think mothers who carry their babies inside of them for 9 months have that bond and connection earlier. That child is always with them. They get to feel the kicks and movements of the fetus. They start feeling like mothers right away. In the case of adoption, there is so much unknown and anything could happen until you are home with that child, there is something that keeps us from feeling like mothers. Self preservation maybe. We don't allow ourselves to become connected until the last minute and still then, there are people or circumstances that could end it all in the blink of an eye......the country could shut down, policitians could decide to change adoption procedures, judges could decline you, wars could break out, a Russian could decide to adopt the child, etc, etc. And it's not 9 months for us. It's more like 24 months.
The journey to this child has been so long and arduous, I'm certainly not going to mess it up. This girl is MY girl and I will do whatever it takes to get her home. Today is the first day I felt she will actually be here forever. I don't feel like a mother yet though. I don't feel worthy yet. Such as strange feeling.
This adoption feels really special. Is it because I've longed for this? Is it because I'm a woman of faith? Is it destiny? God's will? Were all the heartaches and sacrifices from both of us by design or by chance? Besides the purpose of loving and being loved, what will be the ultimate purpose of this little girl and our lives together. Is it simple or is it divine?
All I have to say is that my life from this point on will be devoted to this soul. Although I am not worthy, I will do everything within my power to provide for this child. I love her more than I thought it was capable to love. My heart is so full.
So, bring it on Your Honor. I'm ready.
I want to say that I'm nervous because I've heard this judge is TOUGH. But, honestly, I'm not nervous at all. I'm preparing myself, but I'm just not apprehensive. I may change my mind once I'm standing in the court room though...haha. I just feel really peaceful and calm about it. I'm bringing my girl home and that little girl in the Siberian orphanage is MY girl. Let the courts and the judges say and do as they must. At the end of the journey that little girl will be in her very pink bedroom in Mississippi.
I'm finally feeling the end of the fantasy and the beginning of the reality. I'm so anxious to get her home and start helping her strengthen her body and mind and teach her all kinds of things. My nephew is also anxious to teach her some very unladylike things that I'm sure I will disapprove of.
I must say, today is the first time I've felt like this little girl is my daughter. I don't quite feel like a mother yet. Isn't it odd.....I think mothers who carry their babies inside of them for 9 months have that bond and connection earlier. That child is always with them. They get to feel the kicks and movements of the fetus. They start feeling like mothers right away. In the case of adoption, there is so much unknown and anything could happen until you are home with that child, there is something that keeps us from feeling like mothers. Self preservation maybe. We don't allow ourselves to become connected until the last minute and still then, there are people or circumstances that could end it all in the blink of an eye......the country could shut down, policitians could decide to change adoption procedures, judges could decline you, wars could break out, a Russian could decide to adopt the child, etc, etc. And it's not 9 months for us. It's more like 24 months.
The journey to this child has been so long and arduous, I'm certainly not going to mess it up. This girl is MY girl and I will do whatever it takes to get her home. Today is the first day I felt she will actually be here forever. I don't feel like a mother yet though. I don't feel worthy yet. Such as strange feeling.
This adoption feels really special. Is it because I've longed for this? Is it because I'm a woman of faith? Is it destiny? God's will? Were all the heartaches and sacrifices from both of us by design or by chance? Besides the purpose of loving and being loved, what will be the ultimate purpose of this little girl and our lives together. Is it simple or is it divine?
All I have to say is that my life from this point on will be devoted to this soul. Although I am not worthy, I will do everything within my power to provide for this child. I love her more than I thought it was capable to love. My heart is so full.
So, bring it on Your Honor. I'm ready.
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