Here Comes the Judge

Louise and Ann with celebration rose


Ireyna and Natasha at restaurant

First picture of Ruslan Matthew Carr and his parents

Today was court. Natasha told us this morning that the fax had not returned from the SDA which was needed to actually schedule the court time. She was concerned we would not be in court today. Around noon, Natasha called and told us to prepare for court and to be ready within the hour. We were excited and apprehensive about it at the same time. She called us a little later and said our court time was actually going to be at 3:00pm. She sent the taxi to the apartment and it arrived with a smiling Ruslan in the front seat. He was dressed in the same suit he had on for the interview with the city. When we arrived at the courthouse I was a little surprised. It is rather a small building and very old inside. We were delayed and were still sitting waiting to see the judge at 6:00pm. I really feared that he would cancel the hearing and ask us to come back tomorrow. Luckily for us, the judge agreed to hear the case even though everyone had left the courthouse except those associated with the case and two police officers who sat out front of the courtroom. The hearing itself was rather short, maybe 30 minutes or so with Ann and I testifying then Ruslan, and the City of Poltava, and the Orphanage (Ireyna). Sorry folks, no pictures here, it is strictly forbidden and can result in arrest. They simply don't allow it. Soon the judge pronounced that Ruslan's name would be changed and ordered his birth certificate changed and it was done. Ann was crying and so was I. Ruslan seemed relaxed and had a smile on his face, probably knowing the hardest part was over. A few hugs later we were headed to a celebratory dinner at a very nice local restaurant, Zefir, with Natasha and Ireyna. Ruslan will be officially part of our family after the 10 waiting period which starts tomorrow. Unbelievable! Louise and Ray Evenson and the girls were kind enough to purchase a rose for us to congratulate us on our new family member. Very thoughtful.