Serendipitous

Serendipitous

As you well know today was the day if for the Rossini’s.  Today we would find out if the courts would grant Nata an extended stay as the process to adopt her continues.

The morning would start out with a walk to the Radisson Blu for the morning buffet leaving a few hours for the four of us to get ready for the hearing.

The girls looked  outstanding as usual and you all know how much I love wearing those choking devices and those feet impaling bricks that men wear on their feet.  It was nearing 1 (the court hearing was at 1:30) and we still had not heard from the Ilze, so to save time, we walk down to the corner to meet up with her.

There are points in time that are unexplainable by anyone’s definition.  Today would be one of those moments in time that would be serendipitous by the any definition of the word.  As we stood there waiting for Ilze a to arrive, from around the corner a familiar face would greet us.  It was no other than the person that worked so incredibly hard for us and our attempt to adopt Sanija.  Could it really be Irda?  It was and we were incredibly surprised and happy to see her.  For those who recall our blog for Sanija. Irda was the head orphan’s court judge that would meet us for the evaluations during that month long period on our first adoption.  It was Irda that created the options that would allow Sanija to travel to the United States before making her final decision to be adopted.  It is the same Irda that fought for us so well on that dreaded, horrific 6 hour+ second court visit on trip two where we almost lost Sanija thanks to politics that were initiated by none other than the foster family.   The same Irda that took so much verbal abuse from the judge and the very same person who is still dealing with the ongoing legal and criminal battle against the old Foster parents.

Now she was standing in front of us with the most wonderful smile you could imagine as she stared at Sanija.  Many hugs and “thank you’s” were exchanged between all of us.  Much of the conversation was between her and Sanija that we did not understand because we do not speak Latvian.  But we can certainly see by the look on her face that she was so proud of Sanija and her accomplishments.  She was there for so much of Sanija’s uncertainty about being adopted I could only imagine how elated she must have been.   We later learned from Ilze that Irda told her that Sanija was not even the same person that she remembered from last year.  It’s one thing to see pictures and read updates but it’s a completely different experience when you get to see firsthand how a very tough and long adoption process was well worth all of the challenges when you see a child blossom to such great extent like Sanija has this past year.   The genuine happiness that comes from Sanija now is beyond priceless when you really think about Sanija’s background and her own adoption story.

Finally, Ilze showed up in the continued to walk towards the orphans court with Irda.  But before long she had to leave us.  I can’t help but think that we will more than likely never see her again.  I sincerely hope she knows deep down in our heart how much she means to us and how much we appreciate all the work she has done for us to help create this family.

But now it was time for our court date.  As we waited in the hallway for our invitation to enter the court Nata’s orphans court representative, the one who was conducted all of the interviews, got a chance to wish us all the best of luck and for a wonderful future.

When you think of these two ladies that have done so much to help create this family I can’t help but to have complete gratification for the work they have done.  I sincerely hope that as the years passed they can look back at their lives and realize that joys they have brought to us.

As the door opened only Sheri and I along with our Attorney/Ilze were asked to come in.  I felt a little sorry for Sanija as I know she wanted to be part of this.  This time however, Sheri and I were ready for the type of questions they would soon be asking us.  One by one as the questions were thrown we had the answers.  The three representatives in front of us seemed impressed as we did not stumble or falter on anything.  As I sit here dictating this message I can’t help to compare this visit to Sanija’s visit.  Wow, they are both completely different and yet so similar.

With our line of questions completed they asked Nata to meet with them alone.  She was only in there for few minutes before the doors opened and she joined us in the hallway.  I asked her, what did they ask and her response was, “oh nothing”.  Not that it was one of the most important questions asked of her in her short life but that’s the answer we got.

Sheri and I were invited back into the room where there would be the final verdict.  We could tell by the looks on their faces that we’re going to have a positive decision and that’s what we got!  It’s official that they will allow Nata to travel to the United States, under our care and supervision until such a time that the adoption period can be finalized within the next few months.

Although Sheri and I pretty much knew what the outcome would be we were still relieved that care and supervision were granted to us.  As we were walking down the street coming home from the orphan’s court I think Nata asked if we could leave tomorrow to go home.  I think she was a little confused when we told her we would be in the United States tomorrow.  She told us we needed to get home and pack until we told her that the United States embassy in Riga is considered part of America.

After we said goodbye to Ilze but before going to our celebratory lunch one thing had to be done first……  And that was……..  I needed to get out of these ridiculous clothes.

As we sat in the steak hoous the girls enjoyed as flavorful Shirley temple.  At the end of the meal, although we did not ask for it, our waitress brought to our table four small desserts.  She told us these were a gift from her because in the two years she has been a waitress she had never seen two parents teach their kids manners while being in a restaurant and that she really appreciated it.  There were a few more compliments she paid us but you know how much I hate tooting my own hornJ  Despite that gift and subsequent compliments let’s be truthful, our kids NEVER went out to eat before with meeting us (Sanija) or being hosted (Nata) and they still have much to learn about manners in nice restaurants but we have promised each other that by the time that we are old and gray (ok may just old) that these two will fully understand the importance of manners and respect.

Sheri wanted some time alone, after lunch, two pick up a few gifts for the girls.  So, what does that mean?  That means I get the girls alone for a little while and what or where do you think my girls wanted to go?  Yup, back to ride the 5D movies.  We also stepped into the dressmaking shop to confirm we would be able to pick up Nata’s dress tomorrow.

With a little less than 2 hours to prepare the girls would be heading to the BlackHead House to watch a violin concert with Ilze and one of her boys.  I was supposed to go but the accidental injury I sustained from the kick in the ribs from Sanija last night has me in a bit of pain.  I don’t think I have a broken or cracked a rib but I do think I have some interior swelling of some non-important organ that should be better by tomorrow or the following day.  It is difficult to lean forward, cough and sometimes breathe without feeling some amount of pain.  Therefore, I knew I would be both antsy and uncomfortable during the performance and decided not to go.  Now, you may think it had to do with wearing the suit and tie to the performance but really it had nothing to do with, wink-wink!

It’s now a little past 9:00 PM here and it seems so quiet without my two Tasmanian devils to keep me occupied.  As I’ve looked around the room all I could see are the memories of this past month.  We have given birth to a nine year old girl who calls us mommy and daddy.  Soon we will be heading home and the month we spent here in Latvia will be a fond memory.