Cameron Is Ours!

Cameron is ours! We met Marina, the lawyer, and Sveltana the translator in the lobby of the hotel at8:30. We all rode together to the courthouse.

When we arrived, we sat for a few minutes in the lobby. When the judge's secretary got there, we went up to wait in her office. After waiting awhile, we then went up to wait outside the courtroom. We waited some more and then were led to our seats in the court.

The judge, a young looking lady, sat at a desk facing us. She was dressed in a colorful robe. Directly in front of her sat the prosecutor in uniform and the clerk. They faced each other at a desk.

The judge opened the session and asked Tom to make his statement. Tom stood and told the judge about our journey to adoption, how we came to choose Kazakhstan and our ability to give Cameron a good and loving home. He emphasized how we have the complete support of our families.

When he finished, I was asked if I had anything to add. I said no. Then a representative of the Department of Education gave her testimony, stating Cameron's status as an orphan and his need for a family. Then Dr. Rimma testified. She talked about what a good relationship Cameron has formed with us and how he has developed since our visits began.

The judge and prosecutor asked several questions during their testimony, including the whereabouts of Cameron's sibling. (No one knows)

I was also asked to stand. I was asked about adoption in the US. I said, yes, it is possible to adopt in our own country, but difficult for a couple our age. I also said that we preferred a closed adoption. I was given a chance again to add anything. I told the judge I felt honored to be there and I love Cameron very much (I almost started to blubber.)

After a few more questions, we were asked to wait outside. It was just about an hour of waiting before we were called back in. We stood while the judge read her decision. She announced that she would grant the adoption and that the immediate execution had been approved. This means that we can leave as soon as the paperwork can be completed. We learned later that a couple in Karaganda were not granted immediate execution and will have to stay for the 15 days past court waiting period.

We waited for the paperwork to be completed, and then we were off to Vital Records to get Cameron's new birth certificate. More waiting. Finally, we were called in, signed two documents and had Cam's adoption decree and his birth certificate.

Tom and I returned to the hotel for lunch and a nap, while the lawyer and Marina got more documents processed. Everything got done, and the lawyer leaves tonight on the train for Astana. She will get Cameron's passport and return with it tomorrow evening. We will then have everything we need for all of us to leave for Almaty on Sunday.

We went to see Cameron at 5:30. We expected him to be tuckered out, but we were in for a surprise. I fed him his bottle and kept him quiet for about 1/2 hour. Then is was crawl, crawl, crawl and stand. He was a busy little boy and didn't seem tired at all. We took him back at about 7:00 p.m.

Four more visits, and the next visit will be our last.