After we finished answering all of the questions from the judge, the attention shifted to the Orphanage Director.  She reviewed K's social and medical file.  The judge asked additional questions about her medical conditions including the "seriousness" of her diagnoses.  He asked her to describe K's personality and whether she thought we were a good match for K.  He asked her if there had been contact by the birth family since she was in the orphanage and whether she thought K was "adoptable" by a Russia family. (We learned some interesting things here ... but we will keep this private for now.)  She said all positive things about us.

Then the representative from the Ministry of Education reviewed the technicalities of K's file for the judge.  Dates for termination of parental rights, entrance to the orphanage, placement on regional and national databases.  He also asked about our inquires and application to adopt K and whether we followed all of the correct procedures.

We were feeling pretty good about things at the point...

The last person to be questioned was the social worker (who I think represented K and the city).  She reviewed the file in more detail around K's social history.  She also confirmed that all of the procedures had been followed.  As she transitioned into her final statements she stated that she did not support our application to adopt K since it was not in her best interest due to the deaths and abuse of Russian adoptees in America.  The judge asked her why she thought this was relevant to this case and she didn't have a more to add.

The think the whole court room suddenly heard my heart pounding and my ears ringing.

The spotlight was back on us.  The judge knew we were aware of these cases, and asked us if this would happen in our family.  He also said that due to K's medical conditions that if something happened to her, we would likely be put into a similar spotlight and (paraphasing) "we'd be international news and everyone would hate us".

Now Michael got up and said that this would never happen in our family and we will be taking all precautions to ensure K's safety and well-being.  The judge asked to take a 10-minute break.

The women in the court room (including our coordinator) started up talking and laughing.  Michael and I just sat there quiet and nervous.  No one seemed to be freaking out by the turn of events except me.  (I don't know why I didn't ask my coordinator what was going on but we didn't.)

The judge came back into the court room with our dossier (about 4 inches tall).  He spent the next 15 minutes or so going through each document making sure everything was in order.  He had a few questions but not many.  Then he turned to the prosecutor and asked for her recommendation.  She clearly stated all of the facts of the case, acknowledged the position of the social worker but said that she did not substantiate her case against us, and therefore believes that it's in K's best interest to be adopted by our family.

The judge left the courtroom and came back about 10 minutes later.  Now much more relaxed he read from a one-sided document that he was approving our adoption and stated K's new name, (same) birthdate and that the new city of birth would be the city we were in.  He also communicated that he would file the long-form version of the decree the next day.

We all shuffled out of the courtroom and out of the courthouse.  Insert obligatory courthouse photo here and we got into our van.  I asked our coordinator what just happened in the courtroom, and she said "Didn't I tell you on Trip #1?  The social worker never recommends the families from America.  The new mayor is against international adoptions."

I have to admit I knew instantly that this would make good blogging drama ... if only I kept up my blog! LOL

What a great feeling to be finished with court!  I wish I could bottle that high!