This is going on very long... and I have to go back to the apartment to get ready for court! Happy Thanksgiving! Since I have court today, this holiday will, for me, truly take on the meaning it's meant to have!

11/23/00 Evening

It truly is Thanksgiving, and from now on this holiday will be the most special one for me. Today was my court date to officially adopt my daughter. The judge actually allowed us to videotape the hearing, so Alison will be able to see it when she's old enough to understand!

The entire proceeding only took about 10 minutes. First, the judge asked me why I was there. I had to respond by saying I wanted to request that the court allow me to adopt the child known as Maigul. The prosecutor asked many questions: why did I want to adopt, why specifically from Kazakhstan, why this child, questions about my income, my housing situation, and many others that I can't even remember. It will be interesting to watch the video and experience it again. Then the orphanage director was asked some questions, mainly about Maigul's background and health history. When the director was through, a woman from the Education Department (who basically acts as the child's advocate in the court) was asked her recommendation. She said she thought I'd be a wonderful mother and that Maigul would have a great life with me. Then the prosecutor asked me more questions about how I would deal with any potential health issues that might arise with Alison (Maigul), and if I was aware!

of her background and diagnoses.

I was asked to make a final statement to the court. I'm not sure exactly what I said, but I did include something about today being the American holiday known as Thanksgiving, and being granted this adoption today would make this holiday take on a whole new meaning for me. I also promised I'd give her a wonderful life and love her forever! (It was during this little speech that I lost it... I was able to hold back the tears until that moment.) The prosecutor said that he approved the adoption, but would not grant a "court of immediate action". This means that we must follow Kazak law that states that the decree isn't official until 15 days have passed, unfortunately, delaying my departure a bit.

The judge then declared that he would grant the adoption! Galiya, the most amazing woman that works for my agency, hugged me as did the orphanage director and the woman from the Education Department. I asked the judge if he'd take a picture with me. He reluctantly agreed... we were joined by Galiya, the prosecutor and the assistant prosecutor.

The Hodges had their court date right after mine and were granted the adoption of the two children they came for. It was a very happy day. We celebrated with a dinner at a Chinese restaurant (since Kazakhstan borders on China, I thought it would be good... and it was!) It was a long day, and we didn't get to go to the orphanage today.... but we will tomorrow!

I'll be picked up at 11:00 AM to go to the orphanage to take Alison out of there for good. I'll have to bring clothes for her to wear, as she'll come to me with nothing. I will ask for something of hers from the orphanage as a keepsake, though I have no idea what they'll give me. I have a questionnaire that I gave to her caretakers to fill out asking everything from her eating habits and nap times to her likes and dislikes. Hopefully they'll give that to me tomorrow along with her complete medical file.

Luckily I've found a pediatrician in LA who speaks (and reads) Russian, that will be able to understand her history. This will be my last night as a childless woman. Tomorrow I get my daughter! I guess I'd better try to get some good sleep tonight... I may not have a full night's sleep for some time to come!

About The Author

Nicole Sandler is the owner/producer of Legacy Video Productions, specializing in producing adoption stories. You can see Alison's Journey Home, the video at www.legacyvideoproductions.com.