10/01/2004 COURT

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Court was a success!!!
Welcome to the newest members of the family

Karleigh Marie Belli
&
McCale Alexander Belli!!

Hello Friends, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and Grandparents and Family,

It’s official. Karleigh and McCale are ours forever! We became official parents at about 11:00 am this morning. We had wanted to pinpoint the time, but our minds were in a bit of a fog.

We woke this morning at 5:30am, and began making bottles, taking showers, feeding kids, changing them and getting the apartment ready for the sitter to arrive. We did very well and were ready, dressed up, hair done, etc. by the time the sitter arrived. She came promptly at 7:15 and was very nice. She immediately got on the floor with the kids and started playing. We felt very good leaving them with her. She has also been Gulnara’s Nanny for several years and many families have her sit for them during court.

We were on our way to Ecik at 7:30 and we stopped at the peroshki place to order lunch for after court. The ride out went by quickly as we were looking over our speeches and saying them over and over in our heads. Gulnara and our translator were very helpful and we were confident with the message we needed to send. “We love these kids and want to take them home”. Court was to be held in the babyhouse as the new courthouse is still under construction. Despite this informal sounding setting, court was not a walk in the park. While at the babyhouse Jeff and I tried to relax, we sat in the Music Room where we had our visits with the kids and realized how empty it was there without them. Once it was time to begin, somewhere about 9am or so, we headed for a vacant room with nothing but a table, glasses and juice for the judge, her secretary and the prosecutor. Our seats were set back from the table, our interpreter was by our side.

The judge began by introducing everyone in the room, she asked us “do you trust these people?”, we said “yes”, she then said “do you have any reason to not trust these people?” Jeff said “no”. I said “yes”. I don’t know what I was thinking of why I said that, but they just glazed over it… The judge provided more information about adoption, that we have rights to adopt as long as the children have been removed from the “holding list” (list they must remain on for 6 months before available for international adoption. This time frame is provided for the parents to reclaim the children or for local families to adopt them. After this it was speech time. Jeff went first. He was calm, cool and collected. He spoke slowly and clearly and the interpreter had no problem translating for him. He discussed our financial situation, our health, why we would like the children and that our family would support them. While he was speaking the judge and prosecutor rifled through our photos from each day of our visits. He continued on, making perfect eye contact with them (or at least his eyes were going their way). Once he completed his speech the prosecutor started in, question after question, If these children are sick once you get home will you still want them? Why do you want two children? How will you care for them? How long ago did the idea of adoption come to mind? How long was your wait for children? Why not domestic adoption? Do you own your house or buy on credit? Did you choose these children? Was the adoption agency private or public? Jeff didn’t waiver, not even a little. I was so proud of him.

Next it was my turn, I started with my speech, a more emotional plea than Jeff, I said things like, “twice the work, but twice the pleasure”, “we want them to embrace their culture as we have…..adding the children to the family enriches all of our lives”…then I started in on the “PLLLEASE, grant this adoption and thank you for considering us..” I was only half way done when they cut me short. This can be good or bad. I was pleased that I only wiped away tears one time. The prosecutor started asking me questions, how do you feel about the children not looking like you?, how do you feel about them being adopted vs. biologically yours? Do you feel a maternal bond with the children? My responses were OFCOURSE IM CRAZY ABOUT THEM.

We went through a few other questions and there was discussion by the Director of the babyhouse and Gulnara among others that supported our adoption and the fact that the children are doing well and bonding with us. Out of the blue, the prosecutor, who had been all business until this point, asked Jeff if he might have a friend at home for her. (she is single) We were feeling pretty good at this point, considering it was about an hour and a half into the discussion and it was becoming lighthearted. All of a sudden the judge said “OK”. Im like, OK? YES???? She meant “OK Time for break”. BREAK? I felt like saying “your killen’ me over here!” but we took our break and set up the room where lunch would be served.

We were not sure if the break meant after lunch or what, so I was setting up as fast as possible. We had the table set and they said, the judge is ready. We hustled back into the courtroom and stood in front of the table. She started to read over many of the details we had presented, our names, address, income, thoughts about adopting, etc. She started to tell us that everyone who was at the hearing supported the adoption, etc. I kept waiting for something along the lines of “you may kiss the bride”, but she just kept going. As she was telling us how the children were not claimed by their parents, tears started falling, slow tears, the one at a time kind. My heart was aching for the children as well as the parents. What a tremendous and selfless gift they have given us. The judge continued on and stated that she thought we would make good parents and was in favor of the adoption. More tears, lots more. My eyes were fogging up, my nose, I’m sure was bright red. Jeff reached down and put his hand on my lower back. The same calm came over me as on our wedding day, this was going to be wonderful and we are in it together. A few more random tears came down and I’m proud to say, the prosecutor joined me. I was in the middle of containing myself when immediate execution was granted. This means the mandatory two week stay in country was waived. This also means the adoption is FINAL then and there. This is what we had been hoping for.

Next we had lunch, Gulnara, Emil and Aida (translator) set up the table, beautiful fruit plates, sparkling water, chocolate cake and fried dough pastry w/ powdered sugar. (Jeff said they tasted just like the “grustalas” his Nanny used to make. The entree was served from two large stew pots, one containing boiled chicken and potatoes and one cabbage and potatoes. Its strange to say, but the cabbage here does not have a strong taste or a stinky smell. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and also sampled the desserts and dark Russian tea. The judge, prosecutor and secretary joined us for a lighthearted conversation. The judge told us there were children here she wished she could adopt, but she is too old. The prosecutor was telling us she needed a husband. We had several chuckles over the parts we could understand.

Court was over and the morning had flown by. We estimate court was between 1.5-2 hours. We did not expect this, we have heard from other regions court could be as short as 7 minutes. We don’t mind in the least spending the extra time. We are very glad to know that the children are cared for so well and that the details are handled properly. After all was said and done, the judge asked to be invited to Karleighs wedding. I will start the list when we get back and put her right on top.

After court we went to the state office and picked up the childrens new birth certificates w/ their American names, including BELLI. We also picked up the adoption papers, so its now a done deal. Next week we need to go to a US medical clinic and get a certificate of good health then to the US Embassy for INS clearance and to register them as citizens. Once this is completed, when we touch down in the US, they will be citizens.

It has been a long day, Jeff and I both slept on the way back from Ecik. I was sleeping so soundly I woke myself up with a snort like snore a few times. Ya know what, I really don’t care. I had two little babushkas waiting for me at home, with big grins and open arms. Life is good.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE PRAYERS!!
With Love, Colene, Jeff, McCale and Karleigh. ( <-doesn’t that look great!)


Dad, you have now reached 6’3” stand tall pappy!

Maxie, thanks for thinking of us at 11:00 – you were spot on. We are now working on the name “uncle monkey face” for you, I hope they get it down before we get home.

To the Malinowskis, the candle shrine did work. Can you hook me up when we get back, Im planning on buying a lottery ticket.

My IL friends, thank you all so much.

WPA Families and Dear friends – You can’t possibly know how great it was to read your emails this morning before court, it was so comforting and encouraging!

The Belli Clan – thank you for your notes and prayers. You are all right, good things do come to those who wait. Now you have 8 days to wait before you see them. Hows that feel???

April, thanks for the Vermont court boogie and the candle being lit for us. You made me cry.

Lisa K. OFCOURSE THANK YOU SO MUCH

MONKS – NOT LAST OR LEAST. Please break the news to the mongrels gently. Thank you for helping make this happen for us.