Weekend

The orphanage director has given me permission to have Vacya over the weekend even if the paperwork hasn't been completed yet. I'll go pick him up tomorrow around lunch time, once school is done for the day, then he will stay me until Sunday evening. We're hoping that all the paperwork will be in order by Monday so he can be with me for good.

Vacya was so happy and affectionate when I went to visit him yesterday. I think he was trying not to get his hopes up with all the delays that we've had, but now he's really believing that it's going to happen. It's great to see him just be his happy-go-lucky self again and not seem so reserved and uncertain.

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The appeals court approved my adoption and Vacya will hopefully be with me by the end of the week. There is no official waiting period, just as long as it takes for the court to prepare our documents, which could be up to 5 days. Andrei thinks we should get them by Friday. We are all very excited and relieved. Hopefully there will be no more delays and we can be home in a few weeks.

Update

Andrei talked with the judge at the appeals court today to find out more about the hearing and the appeal process. He and Sasha have never had one of their adoption cases go to an appeal before. He was told that we will have to be at the appeals court at 9:00 am on the 23rd, but we don't really have an appointment. We just wait there with all of the other people who are there to have their appeals heard and our name will be called when it's our turn. I can just see us sitting there all day waiting and they end up not having time to hear our case, but we'll hope for an early time. Once the decision is made, it is final. There is no waiting period and the prosecutor will not be able to make another appeal. The court should type up the decision that day so that we can go get Vacya immediately. Please continue to pray for a speedy resolution to this adoption. After the hearing, we will still have to get the birth certificate, passport, medical exam, and US visa. If everything goes smoothly, Vacya and I could be home within 2 to 3 weeks of the hearing.

New pics

Here are a few pictures from First Bell:

Shelby's kids at the dyetski (children's) park:

Appeal Hearing

The appeal hearing is scheduled for September 23rd. I guess that was the earliest they could get it in. I am coming home on Saturday to work for 2 weeks, then will be heading back to Ukraine to hopefully get everything finished and bring our boy home.

Unexcused Absence

We were informed today that Vacya has an unexcused absence at his school in America. Thought you'd all enjoy that one as much as we did. I'm at a loss for words...

I have been told that I will find out tomorrow the date of the appeal hearing. I still have no idea how soon it will be, though.

First Bell

Today I went to the orphanage to celebrate First Bell (the first day of school) with Vacya and his class. The kids looked so nice all dressed up in their black pant/skirts and white shirts. Tammy and Lena brought treats for the kids to have after the First Bell ceremony that they always have. It was an interesting experience to be a part of this important tradition here in Ukraine.

I found out on Friday that we do have to have an actual hearing for the appeals court after all. From what I understand, though, the appeals court judge has already said that our approval will stand. It's more of a formality that they have to go through because it is an adoption and they must follow the process. I'm still waiting to hear when the hearing will be. Our judge was going to be calling the appeals court judge over the weekend to see what he could to do about getting the hearing scheduled quickly, but I haven't heard anything yet. It's getting even more stressful just being stuck here waiting now that school has started and I am missing work.

This weekend three of the girls from Vacya's class were sent to another orphanage, so the caregivers are worried about their jobs because of the lower numbers of kids. One of them actually told Tammy and Lena that she is praying that our adoption won't go through because they don't want to lose their jobs. She has pretty much ignored me and not spoken to me at all when I've been at the orphanage to see Vacya. I guess that's better than being yelled at like Joe and I were back in April and May.

There is no internet access at the house I'm staying at now with Shelby and her family, so I'm not able to post updates as often, but I'll try to get to a computer if I get any news.