Cheers!!

It's official!!! Dede's a mama!!! Well...okay...so there's a 10-day grace period that anyone in his family can appeal the adoption...except of course his mother...whose rights were terminated by the court. The father is unknown...and Nina says that she has never had anyone step up and appeal an adoption process since she's been working in the field. It has been four years...we are pretty certain that nothing will happen at this point. We are celebrating!!

The court process took about 45 minutes. The questions were basic...what do you do...how much money do you make...is your family supportive...and so on and so forth. I did not go into the courtroom with her...she was accompanied by Nina (the translator)...the physician from the orphanage...and a social worker. It took the judge about 5 minutes after questioning to make her decision...cheers!!!

After we left the courthouse (which was basically a cement cinder block soviet era building)...we went back to the orphanage where Dede had Nina explain to Danya that he would be leaving with her soon and moving to America. She asked him if he understood...and he nodded (it's the cutest thing ever when he nods...just a one time he bows his head...you're gonna love it)...then she asked him if he wanted to go. Of course...another nod. We then took him off the premises of the orphanage to a camera store to have his official passport photo made. He sat in Dede's lap (not a lot of carseat usage in this country)...and stared out the windows at everything we passed. He was very quiet...and quite amazed. I'm certain he's only left one or two times in his lifetime. We are so curious to see his reaction upon boarding and riding a train...and OMG...an airplane?! He was so well-behaved as he sat to have his photo made. He is truly a little gentleman. He will fit into the South and it's well-mannered culture perfectly.

So...now we wait. We cannot officially apply for his passport until after the 10-day grace period is over. As I have mentioned before...Ukraine is undergoing quite a few changes in their system...so we are not certain how long that will take. We are trying to get a little help in pushing the process through...but that's all a gamble. After the passport...it's off to the American Embassy for a visa. That should take a few days at most. We still have no idea when we will be coming home. Sorry...but I promise you...it hurts us way more than it hurts all of you. : )

Tonight...at 8pm Ukrainian time...I will toast to Dede and her new son. Wherever you are at that moment...noon in the southeast...11am mountain time...and 1pm eastern...raise your glasses with me. We will toast around the world...to the happiest moment of her life. We will all toast again together when we return...but today...August 2nd...is a day to remember.

Thank you all for your love and support...

Peace...

Kelly...Dede...& Carson

P.S. I understand that some of you are having difficulty posting comments. Go back through the archives and check out my very first post. It details how to do it. I'm not certain if that helps...I think that it just might be the blogger itself. We're getting your emails however...so all is well.