Sunday, April 15, 2007

We had a leisurely morning today. The breakfast at the hotel offers much variety, and we did not hurry thought it today. After breakfast, out to the orphanage to pick up the kids. They were outside on the playground. Matthew Maksim's teacher was asking him to wear a coat, but he did not want to listen. He saw us and ran to us ignoring his teacher.

It was a sunny but cool day. We passed the football outside and enjoyed another walk. The kids were excited to stay with us because they could spend the night in the hotel, so we could get them ready for court tomorrow.

Luba and Asa met with us to prepare us for court. Luba has met with the judge and knew his concerns with our adoption. She wanted us to answer his questions without any hesitation. She also gave us more on the children's' backgrounds. We now have a new town to go to obtain Matthew Maksim's birth certificate. It is Melitopol. Each day, we seem to obtain more of different information on these kids. Both children have been to other orphanages prior to arriving at Matveevka. Matthew Maksim's mother was very young when she gave birth to him.

Back to preparing for court. Luba wants Cindy and Tom to have court first and wear down the judge for the Mark and Julie. We will give it our best shot! There are four questions that Tom has to ask the judge.
1. Permission to adopt the children using their full names.
2. Permission to changes their names.
3. Premission to changes Matthew Maksim's birth date
4. Record all changes in the register.

Tom is ready. Now, Matthew and Maria need to answer questions. Luba started to ask Matthew Maksim this question, "Do you want to be...." Before she said adopted, he shouted "Yes." He is ready. So is Maria Oksana, but she does not have the rough and lively spirit that Matthew does.

Time for a good night's rest.