[Abdulina]

I left off at getting ready to go to court. What I forgot to tell you all about the day before was that our translator was completely distraught. She told us she did not want us to think all people in Stavropol behaved this way. We said, we know. Greed had just gotten the best of the orphanage director. The translator didn't want us to get the wrong impression. However, the very next day we had to go somewhere. Got in the cab w/ the translator. Cab driver was sick of waiting but more than that, had major anti-American sentiment. We kept our mouths shut and were hussled out of the cab. Driver claimed he couldn't wait any longer. Translator told us later that Foreigners do not like Americans in that region. Okay w/ us. Glad we didn't have to ride w/ an angry cab driver any more.

Onto court. This region has a pretrial hearing and a court hearing. Pretrial is usually short. Not for us of course. Ours took 2 1/2 hours. I was repremanded profusely for being too emotional. Crying in court was a big NO_NO. Now, for the past several months we had always said we would take our daughter's sister as well. Told they couldn't find her. Come to find out that the corrupt orphanage director met her once, and debunked the whole thing. She decided she didn't like her. (this women has ALOT of pull & old connections w/ the judge) Yet in court we were asked why we weren't taking her sister. That's when the orphanage director stepped in and gave her reasonings. Urghh. Anyway, while in court, we discovered that our son has a baby brother---WHAT?!?! Ticked off b/c we would have taken him as well. They said they were unaware of his location. Court was indeed a nightmare. Hated being up there. Everybody reassured us out of the courtroom that it would be fine. Next day was court. Almost identical to the prehearing except now I got reprehanded for not showing enough emotion. Can't win for losing I guess. This court took 3 hours. EVeryone said this is the longest procedure they had seen in this region. Yeah, and we know why. Not enough bribing on our part--LOL. Seriously, we were told to bring 8 gifts. We brought 20 just in case. Needed way more than that. Told by the coordinator that this is not the way it works in other regions. Anyway, kids were ours!!!!

Now, the real work began. Oh, we were handed transcripts from Alex's previous court hearings on his mother AFTER court. Found out later what was in them. Mind you, his abuse, neglect and hurtful situation was never once mentioned in court or on his medicals or by the orphanage director. This is stuff that contributed to his RAD/FAS/ADHD by the way. Could have been a little more prepared had we known ahead of time. Urghh. Back to the story. Getting the kids the h*** out of dodge!

We were scheduled to go to Yana's orphanage first. However they received a call on the cell phone and said we leave immediately to go pick up Alex. Remember, they did not want us to have him and the orphanage director was trying to get back at our coordinator for the whole iron incident. Well, got the call that the director was gone. (coordinator had someone on the "inside" tipping her off). We literally ran in to grab Alex, change his clothes and run out the door, kid in hand before the director got back. We did leave the caretakers w/ money b/c found out they don't get paid what they should yet director is living the good life. Put it this way, money is not going where it should in that place. My heart went out to the other kids. We have no pics from here due to everything that transpired. It's crazy but swear to you all, you can't make this stuff up if you tried. I had Alex safe and sound and wasn't about to let him go. He was safe now and a huge relief came flooding out. It was off to get Yana now.

Remember folks, they had her in isolation still swearing she's on death's door. We got to the director's office and doctor said she wanted to draw blood b/c may not be safe to travel. We said no way. She's ours, here's the papers, there will be abolutely no more labwork or pills given to her. Period. We were firm and stood our ground. That's when they let us see her. She was moved back out of the isolation ward and into her group finally. Okay, the next part was indeed gut-wrenching. This group of girls was tighter than any family I had seen. One girl, Sveta, was wise beyond her years. They were all so close. we were allowed to take many pictures and able to do whatever we wanted. Yana changed into her new clothes. The girls in the group each spoke of Yana and how they'd miss her. Sveta gave her speech. She said we had now given them all hope that there is a chance out there. Sveta could speak english. They scraped up whatever pictures they could find and gave them to Yana. They also wanted soemthing for her to remember them by. So they gave her a giant red and white stuffed elephant.( this is relavent to the next part of the story later on). They love these girls showed for one another was beyond words. Our coordinator purposefully did not come in b/c she said she would not be able to handle all the emotions. She said she's done hundreds of adoptions but this one from this orhpanage was different. All of us were in tears as we had to say goodbye. My husband turned to me and said okay, "which six are we taking home?" We knew we had to come back. Anyway, all the kids followed us out to the car to say goodbye. It was like a huge parade. EVERY single person there had tears in there eyes. even the driver. My heart was numb again knowing we had to leave them here. It was off to the hotel again and for our first family dinner together. Pizza. We all ate and the kids called their sibs at home. Hilarious phone call as our ohter two had completely forgotten all their Russian. Love needs no words though. And it's off to Moscow, or at least that's what we hope.....

Stay Tuned.

[doozer22boys]

Stephanie....I am so moved to think of your daughter saying goodbye to all of her friends. And about all the bribing stuff/made up medical issues, etc.. Wow--it's crazy. Your story is so inspiring. I can't wait to hear more. You and your husband sound like star parents. I have much to learn from you. I will soon by the mom of 4 and I wasn't sure if I could handle it. But I know these little girls need a mother's love and I am more than ready to give that to them!!

[angelkisses0102]

I gotta read these in order...thanks again for sharing so much with us all.

[Vicki H]

Stephanie,

Thanks for posting your story. I feel really bad that things were so rough for you in Stav. Things were relatively easy for us, but maybe it is the difference in the orphanages ( Our son was an infant) and the fact that our judge was new to adoptions.

I am glad that things worked out for you, but sad that you had a bad experience in Stavropol.

Vicki