It's official...There is one more ZACHARI in this world!!!!

Hip Hip Hooray!!

The court of Kazakhstan approved Sofia Meruert Susanna Zachari's adoption!!

I'm a mom!!

Court was held in a non-heated courthouse. We were freezing since it is only 16 degrees today! We waited about 3o minutes, then it was my turn. The court room is about the size of a classroom. The judge was a woman dressed in a maroon robe. She sat at the front on a raised platform. There was a prosecutor, a court secretary, a woman from the Ministry of Education office, a doctor from the orphanage, Tamara our coordinator, Natasha, and me. We stood for the judge when she entered, and when I had to tell the court why I want to adopt a baby from Kazakhstan as well as other explanations. The judge read excerpts from my home study in Russian. Each person read a statement of opinion. They all looked through my photo album. (The prosecutor said Sofia is a very, very beautiful girl.) This took about 20 minutes. The judge left the court room to make a decision and write a statement. So 10-15 minutes later she returned, read her statement which approved my adoption and wished me well and hoped that I will give my daughter many opportunities in her life.

Then we went to the baby house to see our babies. Sofie was so happy to see me, even though it was her nap time.

We had a tea party with the three doctors, which was actually lunch, and it was very nice to sit and talk to them.

We still have an afternoon visit which will include another tea party with the nurses for our babies rooms.