WOOHOO - We are a family!

We are now parents! To all our relatives you are grandparents, uncles and aunts, great aunts and uncles etc.!! Phew!!! Kurt and I didn't sleep too well last night - big surprise there. We kept asking each other 'are you awake' response 'yeah - just going over the speech one more time'. We got all gussied up this a.m. and were picked up at 9:20 to head over first to the MOE to pick up the social worker for our case and then it was off to court. We had been well briefed in advance, practiced our Russian phrases for the judge and were all set to go. The Brabsons went first while we waited outside. I had brought a diet coke along - like either one of us needed the caffeine as we were a bit jumpy! Then it was our turn (we thought the judge would give her ruling to the Brabsons first but apparently not). She went over all the basic legal rigamaroll about Bekbolats birth, abandonment, what our rights were etc. Then she asked us to present pictures to the court for the case. After that it was Kurt's turn to make a speech which he did wonderfully on followed by my speech. I had been practicing my Russian phrase to say to the judge at the end - 'we will love the child Bekbolat always.' Have to say the jusge smiled and said 'maladyetz' which is basically 'good job'. Then the social worker stated why we should be allowed to adopt Bekbolat. The judge then left to make her deliberations...The Brabsons came back in and the judge was back within 5-10 minutes. First she announced the Brabsons decision.Of course at this point I'm already starting to cry and trying not to. So as soon as she started to read our decree and with Irina translating the tears were just streaming down my face. Kurt and I were gripping hands so tightly - just like when we got married. When she said 'yes' we hugged and kissed just like our wedding. Such a fabulous feeling!!!

We went to visit Serik today. Little man was in the mood to be held and didn't really realize what a momentus day it was for our family. We enjoyed being with him and giving him lots of love and telling him about everyone waiting to meet him.
We went out tonight to celebrate with our travel partners the Brabsons, our coordinator, our translators and our drivers - 9 total. We went to Abdullah. Very fun - good food and company. Took many pictures and laughed about all the good times here and mistaken phrases spoken. Can't believe that Kurt and the Brabons leave tommorow. The Brabsons will be back on the 27th and Kurt on the 29th until then I have a ton o' movies to view and HBO shows to watch! Thank you all for your support we are soooo happy to be parents!!

The top pic is us at court with the judge and social worker. Below is dinner at Abdullah.