Everyone’s a Winner

Photos: Celebrating at the pizza place.

[Phil]
First the good news. No, actually there’s only good news: We won custody of Ana today after a grueling hour-long hearing. After the judgment was announced, I asked for the judge to waive the 10-day waiting period due to Ana’s health issues, but she declined. So now we wait 10 calendar days, starting tomorrow, until the judgment is officially entered and we get to take Ana out of the orphanage. We are tremendously relieved and happy.

[Robin]
The hearing was very nerve-wracking. They called all of us, one at a time, to stand and answer questions posed to us by the judge. Then they made us go outside while they deliberated. When the judge stated that she had granted us custody, I was in shock. I thought for sure she was going to state that she needed to delay the decision or get more notarized statements, etc. After the verdict, we all went out in the hall and there were hugs and tears all around. We then waited for some paperwork to be completed and went collectively over to the pizza place for a celebratory lunch. Phil had bought Nastya’s sister a cell phone this morning, and when he gave it to her on the way to the pizza place the look of joy and amazement on her face was priceless.

[Phil]
Lord, if anyone deserved a present, it was her. She held her ground against some very pointed questions from the judge. She continually insisted that she was not concerned for herself, but for the future of her sister. To make such a mature decision like that at 16 is amazing, especially considering her circumstances. Suffice it to say, we are going to hold some kind of fundraiser when we get back so that we can help her with her future college expenses. And of course we look forward to having her come visit us in the States.
In other good news, Colleen has been allowed to start the adoption process for both of her potential daughters. Sometimes the system does work.

[Robin]
Right now I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. We have to spend some more time here (when she denied our request for a waiver of the 10 days, the judge suggested that we enjoy the Fall weather….), but I’m sure that it will feel different now that we don’t have this trial hanging over our heads. Hallelujah…..sound the church bells! We can’t wait to bring Ana home to see all her many loving supporters.

[Phil]
Okay, we’ll go ahead and post this, because I’m sure some of you are wondering why it’s taken so long. Bye for now.