We are home exhausted from an unexpected grilling in court today plus a discouraging new hurdle in paperwork. The upside is a wonderful dinner out with Galya and the orphanage director Ludmila (along with one daughter, one was sick and didn't come to court) which was a joy!!
Our paperwork wasn't ready today, but the judge still met with us, and will give her decision when the paperwork is submitted, whenever we can get it. We think she approved us (says Galya) but she gave no indication of it during the hearing. It was a very formal affair and she asked a litany of questions, one after the other, many of which were very difficult. It was emotionally draining but we hung in there. Not a simple affair.
The paperwork glitch is particularly frustrating as on the door of the SDA (ukraine gov. for adoption in Kiev) today there was notice of a new requirement for all dossiers including ours (even though we submitted ours on Nov. 7th, and got our date to travel on Nov. 29th, they have decided that we have to go back and do this hoop - no grandfathering in here). It is not a simple hoop, and we quickly went to a notary today to get it started. It seems there is a version of the FBI in Europe called Interpol that does a background check on people to make sure they have no criminal records. Of course, we have already submitted both Ohio Criminal Checks and FBI checks and they have those on record, but they have decided that starting today, Feb. 1st, anyone, even if their paperwork has already been accepted, and they are in the country, adopting, they must still get this new criminal check done. We have no idea how long it takes for this check to be completed, but until it is done, and in the hands of the people in Kiev, they will not give their permission to adopt, and the judge cannot make a ruling, and we cannot start our 10-day waiting period. (of which we will then have to get birth certificates, passports and other things). So as you can most likely tell from the tone of this post, we are a bit discouraged today, as was our lovely facilitator Galya. They gave us this news at the worst time possible for our particular case!!!
Again and maybe especially at time like this we so appreciate all your love and support!! Lorelle and David
Sorry for the extra checks that have to be made. Lorelle & David, you both should check out just fine and I hope Interpol can do this quickly. In any event we shall pray about this and look forward to positive results. Mom will send you an e-mail too. Love, DAD
ReplyDeleteI can remember how scary it all was, but hang in there. Don't worry about the judge, the Ukrainians are very good at having a "poker face". I am sure you will be approved. We will cross our fingers on the Interpol thing. I would call your friends at the US Embassy and see if they help. Kelley
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the bump in the road. We'll be praying that all goes smoothly and that things move quickly!
ReplyDeleteHugs to both of you!!
Julie & Mark and family
I'm sorry about the new requirement. The unknown is always the hardest, but we'll be praying that Interpool is fast. Hang in there. Love, Craig
ReplyDeleteJust catching up and reading after being out of touch for a couple of days.... I have done some research and will email both of you. Find solace in knowing, this is a "delay" not a "deal breaker". I will drive whatever, whenever, if you need forms apostiled here in Columbus and sent back to you in Ukraine. Focus on those little smiling faces that await your visit everyday. Soon, albeit a relative term, this will be a memory and you will be home with your girls. Love, Pam
ReplyDeleteWe are sending our love and best "chin up” wishes. It seems such a shame that they make it so hard to do the wonderful thing you are doing but I guess there are bad people out there and they want to be sure you aren't one of them. But they should just ask us! We'll tell them to cut out this nonsense and let those girls go home with the kindest most wonderful people in the world....you two! But, in trying to find a silver lining in this cloud, I'm thinking that your extended time with the girls may further strengthen your bond with them and give them even more time to adjust to the huge transition they have ahead. We're rooting for you and a speedy criminal (not!) check. Love, Robin and Jonathan
ReplyDeleteDear David and Lorelle,
ReplyDeleteI concur with Robin. We think you guys are great. I’m rushing off to see a customer, so I will catch up later.
Lots of love and positive thinking,
Jonathan