Thursday, January 4th

Perhaps you woke up this morning wondering if Chris and Kim had gotten into any new adventures lately, and so you're checking the blog site to see what's been going on lately. You'd be correct in assuming we got into another adventure as this roller-coaster ride of emotions continues. Yesterday, we were ready to start finalizing this whole process by getting our court hearing underway. We went back to the courts and were appointed a judge, but after he reviewed the papers he said we needed to get a statement from Alex's brother, sister, and grandmother saying that we could adopt him. We were aware that Alex had a brother and sister, who are both much older (in their 20's). This was frustrating to hear for several reasons. 1. We didn't even know if we could find them in this other city where they lived. 2. We weren't sure if they would want to sign anything. 3. According to our adoption people, this was a very unusual request.

So, we headed off with Igor to Zolaton, where they were supposed to be living. There were potholes the size of cars and overground gas lines and trash in places, but we manuevered around the obstacles including finding out which of the three cities in the area with the same name that they lived in. We made it to the grandmother's house, and she talked for a while in Russian, but we didn't know what she was saying until we got back in the taxi and Igor told us. She was telling some of Alex's family's story. Unfortunately, she said she was not physically able to sign anything so we left without any documents because we were unable to find the brother and sister. We were really feeling discouraged and wondering what the judge would say, and if he would let the adoption process continue.

Fortunately for us, the judge said that if we got a document from the inspector saying it was O.K. to adopt Alex, then he would let it happen. Igor went out to another city and got that document today! So, now we are scheduled to have our court hearing tomorrow, Friday, at 3 p.m.