What's that Mom?  I get to go home with you tomorrow?

YAHOO!  I get to go with Mom and Dad tomorrow in the car...by the way, what's a car?

Hmmm...when is tomorrow?  I guess I'll just suck on this big blue mint while I wait...

One more day until court!  We visited Sam hopefully for the last time at the Baby House.  The next time we go there it will be to take him home.  We can't wait! 

Here's what we "think" will happen tomorrow.... Our court appt. is at 11:00 a.m. and should last around 30 minutes.  The judge asks us several questions like why we're adopting, why Kazakhstan, how can we support this baby, etc.   Pretty basic stuff.  Representatives from the Baby House, the Ministry of Education, and our agency will be there.  All of them will speak on our behalf.  Unfortunately, there will be a prosecutor there as well, who isn't on our side.  He will "cross-examine" us. After all of the questions we close by making a speech to persuade the judge as to how much we love him, why it's him we want to adopt (vs. other babies) and we were told that it's fine to let our emotions show.  Good thing, as I doubt I'll be able to control my shut-off valves!  We're supposed to hear his verdict as soon as court is finished. 

Our agency has a 100% success rate and we're not worried about the outcome.  The only thing we're a little concerned about is having to stay here for three more weeks. The standard for adopting from Kaz is a full five weeks for the visitation, but historically they've waived it after the first two weeks.  We are asking for an "immediate execution" (not to hang by our necks) for the court to waive the last few weeks so we can go home and let Darrick get back to work.  They haven't had a problem with this in this town, but it looks like the rest of Kazakhstan is moving towards the full five week waiting period.  So cross your fingers and toes and say a prayer for us that we can come home before Sam starts shaving.

So after court we go to the registration office and get his birth certificate and then go to the baby house to give our gifts and have a little party with his caregivers. Then we take him home!!!

A few days later we fly to Almaty where we'll spend a week getting Sam's passport, visa, and other paperwork processed (providing we don't have to stay here for three more weeks) and then home about a week later.  Boy are we excited to have fresh produce again (well I am anyway).  Darrick is heading right for the pasta and Dr. Pepper.