Pinch us, we think we’re dreaming!

At approximately 4:30pm local Irkutsk time on Friday, January 30, 2009, we were named to be the parents of Nathan Eugeny Ninmann!!

We are still in a bit of a daze on the whole thing but we're going to type about it while it's fresh in our memory.

Last night Alex came by and practiced with us – that had us so much better prepared than the last time. We capably and confidently were able to answer any question tossed at us. Some were ridiculous in our opinion but most had a reason for being asked. There really was nothing we couldn't answer. And we both feel that we did get off somewhat easy as there were other questions we would have asked if we were the court! But the Judge listened to all our answers, had us comment if needed, and would go on.

At one point in the morning I felt more confident that things were going to be ok – the prosecutor was really quizzing me about the Bethany/Nightlight relationship and what would happen if Bethany lost their license and all sort of questions about that and I answered that the State of Wisconsin had addressed that and if it would happen they would get another agency to handle us and they would inform Nightlight about the change. The Judge concurred that there was a document like that in our files – one small victory!

The hearing started up with her wondering how we could prove where we were born as our passports didn't state it – Brian had that question and he thought our marriage certificate listed it. So she pulled out the certificate and it apparently doesn't list our cities of birth. But she sort of just dropped it then for Brian. So when I had to do my introduction I just said I was born in Wisconsin. She said "what city were you born in?" So I replied "Columbus, WI" – she again was saying she couldn't find the documentation on this and how could she approve our adoption petition since we couldn't prove what city we were born in (our cities of birth are part of the petition). Well, I knew that the Holmes had gone through this EXACT THING last week so I knew what answer they gave – and I replied "if it pleases the court, maybe you can just list our state of birth on the birth certificate and leave off the cities" (Alex in the background is going "yes!") – and she accepted that answer!

Next it was time for Brian to give his "speech" – to add to our petition. This is the prompt we completely missed last week and resulted in us getting lots of questions! Brian did EXCELLENT! The prayers were heard – he gave an excellent speech, clear and concise, looked everyone in the eyes and confidently talked about our adoption journey. He even had a little smile on his face! There were some questions directed to him but he answered them all wonderfully!

Then I added to our petition. At the beginning I got a little teary eyed but was able to get myself under control quickly. Then I was grilled by the prosecutor about the BCS/NLC arrangement, etc mentioned above. That went on for forever it seemed! But Alex said I handled it all correctly and good.

Then the guardianship committee and the representative from the baby home and the adoption center all gave presentations. We didn't get a lot of this translated to us but that was fine – it was very tense in the room! Later Olga, our translator, told Brian it's like that every time but we were a little worried for a bit. I honestly thought there would be a delay of a few days for some documentation on Nathan's medical conditions or another situation that came out (nothing big but you never know what will be taken as a big point!) This went on for quite some time.

Then there was a break for lunch. We went to Studio Coffee with Alex and Olga. They both said everything was going according to normal proceedings but of course we never know what will happen. We know, we were prepared for anything. Alex did say if the petition was denied he was going to immediately file an appeal as he thought our case was strong. I sort of was thinking then how he said the same thing right before our documents were accepted by the court and thought that might be a good sign.

So we went back into court after lunch. The Judge read through our ENTIRE DOSSIER – Volumes 1, 2 and 3 and addendums! There were some questions about some statements made in documents but nothing we couldn't handled. She was more concerned what kind of church we went to and Brian's school board involvement (from his employer letter) than making a comment that the person who signed his employer letter is his father-in-law ?!? God is Good! :) Then the prosecutor wanted to know more about me being president of the local ladies group. Told you I didn't want that job – LOL! So I made it to be a social organization which does good for the community – food drives and such. Not entirely untrue! And then they asked me what the population of Hustisford is ?!?

Then we all gave closing comment – the prosecutor gave her approval of the adoption petition, the guardianship committee lady spoke, Olga from the Adoption Center talked and we each gave a short speech. I started crying about the 3^rd word – and I stole part of Brian's speech! I managed to get my 4 sentences out tho without too many waterworks. Brian then gave a great closing statement also. Alex spoke and then the Judge took a recess.

She was back in 5-minutes with a one page typed document. She relayed the official details about the case (case # etc) and Olga was translating. When she got to the part that the "petition is granted" I could hardly hear Olga and tried very hard to keep my chin from wobbling! His name is now Nathan Eugeny Ninmann and the official document will be available February 2^nd or 3^rd (we don't remember exactly now) – we still weren't really "hearing" what was being said.

So the Judge then left the room and there were hugs and congratulations all around. Everyone seems very happy that Nathan Genya has a family. We are very happy that we can now go on to the next steps in our lives. Now we're still here for awhile but Alex says it's just "bureaucracy" and is "downhill from here". I'm not exactly sure on timeframe yet but we figured we weren't going to ask those questions today!!

One now-funny moment in court – when it was time for the break Olga says to us – "We now take a break for one year" – One YEAR! I said? She said, "no, sorry, one HOUR!" – whew!! I wasn't sure what was happening that they needed a year break!

And now for some serious moments from court – before we left this morning I played the Babbie Mason DVD that Brandi had sent me years ago and the song "I'm praying for you" kept rolling through my mind as we were sitting there… I KNOW so many of you were praying for us and it would help me get my heart and breathing under control. Brian had one thought throughout court – he kept imagining Carleen praying for him. Carleen, he FELT your prayers and they brought him so much peace you cannot imagine. We are thankful for ALL OF YOU!

So now it's somewhat anticlimatical. Our phone bill was apparently paid this afternoon so we should have phone line this evening sometime Alex said. (And that means you'll be getting to read this post!) Otherwise we were just left to our own devices so we're going out to dinner. But more on that later….