Hi everyone,

This is going to be one quick post today. Court day! It has been quite the land of activity here for me. Yesterday afternoon's visit/observation with the lady from the minister's office went great. Abby was a little angel despite the fact that the meeting was late and it was her dinner time. She mostly stared at the lady (as I have discovered she does with strangers) but I was able to get her to laugh and smile. Olga and Assia also told the lady that Abby always smiles and babbles during my visits with her (visits with Abby that is, the ministry lady did not babble though she did smile) :-).

Afterwards, Olga and Assia prepared me for court. I had to sign a petition for the court to allow the last 2 weeks be waived so we can come home as planned. It is a law in Kazakhstan that adoptive families visit the baby for 2 weeks, go to court, and then if the adoption is approved, they must stay an additional 2 weeks before going to Almaty for final paperwork. We are hoping to get the additional 2 weeks waived. So basically, we are asking for 2 things today: 1) That the judge grant my adoption, and 2) That the judge allows immediate execution.

This morning Olga had me take my gifts for the caregivers, baby house director, and doctors with me when I visited Abby. Normally this is done after court, but since time will be so tight for us we did it this morning. This seemed to cause some confusion but we made it through. Four of Abby's caregivers were working today so I got to give them, her doctor, and the director their gifts personally. The rest I left. I also got some pictures of these wonderful women with Abby.

Igor brought the cake I bought too. It was quite beautiful and looked like a wedding cake (3 tiers!). One of the women brought a piece for Assia and me and it was so good too! Not as sweet as our cakes at home but I liked it better that way.

After the baby house, we stopped by the market so I could buy Abby some of the tights all the babies wear under their clothes. I don't want to get in trouble for not having her dressed warmly enough while we are here.

It is very cold today - feels colder to me than it has been lately. It snowed a lot last night. Last night I wrote the speech I will give in court. I am indeed nervous. I don't think there is anyway around that. Court at home can be a nervous thing but at least you understand what is being said. :-) I don't know, maybe it is actually better I don't know everything they say. I will let you know if they start pulling out my permanent record from elementary school. :-)

Take care everyone and as always, thank you for your prayers and support!! I can feel both half way around the world.