Update

Now that things have started to move along, I think it's time to give you a quick update.

As of two days ago, our documents have been received in Russia and are in the process of being translated. The courts will only accept paperwork on Mondays, so we are hoping that our paperwork is translated in time to be delivered this coming Monday. Once the courts receive our paperwork, we will be given a specific date to appear in court and finalize our adoption. As of right now, the average time frame between the courts receiving paperwork and the actual court hearing is 2-4 weeks.

My heart just skipped a beat!

It might be another week or two before we know when our court date is, but when I find out, you can rest assured that I will let you know.

In the meantime, I thought I would fill you in on what the final stage of the Russian adoption process looks like, as it is very different from any other country.

When a family travels on their second trip to complete their adoption, they should expect to be in Russia anywhere from 10-25 days. It's a big range of time, but there is a reason for it. After completion of the court hearing, Russian law stipulates that a judges decision cannot go into effect until 10 days later, meaning that the adopting family cannot be granted custody of the child during this time. This is commonly referred to as the 10-day waiting period. While most families ask to have the 10-day waiting period waived, most judges will only do so if the child has known medical issues that need to be addressed.

I have mentioned in this blog that "L" does have some medical issues that we feel give us good reason to hope that the 10-day waiting period be waived. Both the director of the baby home where "L" lives and our International Adoption Specialist also agree, and are completing the necessary paperwork to reinforce our request. This, of course, does not guarantee anything, as is seems at times that the judges fly by the seat of their pants, but we are hopeful nonetheless.

Once we receive the court decree stating that we are the parent's of "L" (halleluja!), we will fly to Moscow and spend a few days there, completing "L's" medical examination and obtaining her Immigration Visa. Once that has been completed, we will jump on a plane and bring her home!!