It was a solemm and serious affair. The judge, a short stocky
middle aged lady with dyed blond hair wore a black robe and sat before
us in her pulpit. We were accompanied by our interpreter, Dina, the
social worker and a prosecutor representing the rights of Svetlana.

 

Jeff did a great job of presenting our "story", our financials, jobs,
home, knowledge of Sonya’s medical condition. The social worker spoke
about Sonya’s birthmother and extended family who could not take care
of her.

The judge listened intently. I also presented our story and
spoke about the loving connection I feel for Svetlana (Sonya). She
wanted to know if I had ever taken care of young children – and I did
mention my niece and nephew whom I have cared for often. When
Jeff was finished speaking, the judge asked him if he knew about the adopted
parents who had killed their Russian child. Jeff said he did, but did
not think that was representative of most adoptive parents.

 

When all the talking was done, we left the room to wait nervously
in the waiting area. Dina seemed to think everything had gone well. The
social worker, however, had forgotten to get some kind of information
about the birthmother’s son – so they were a little anxious about that.

 

We were then called back and after  some fanfare, the judge
pronounced us the parents of Sonya Rose. The 10 day waiting period was
not lifted, so we will receive our adoption decree on August 22,
2005.

 

It’s amazing to have that behind us. I am feeling very proud. I
wished my parents could have been there to hear me say " I wish the court to acknowledge me as the mother of
Krayeva Svetlana Alexandronov. I felt myself welling up a little bit.
And it was moving to hear Jeff say, I wish the
court to acknowledge me as the father of Krayeva Svetlana Alesandronov.

 

So it was a wonderful, moving and happy day. A day that I can say I feel very proud.

 

 

Oh, before the judge left, she admonished us to "please, please be
kind to the child and do not lose patience with her – I may be speaking
out of turn, but I notice that Americans eat a lot and many are fat so
I don’t understand how a child can be starved there…"

We both
listened incredulously but nodded our heads politely in agreement.  But
then she said, " I know you will make wonderful parents. I can tell
that by looking at you". And then she left.

 

Hooray for us and Sonya