Court is adjourned. Petition granted...phew!!!!!

We finally found an internet cafe and are able to post some news. We will have internet access on Tuesday and I will update everyone with more detailed information. After reading the Bunch family blog, the mood became somber after reading about their loss and many tears were shed by Carrie. Our hearts are with the Bunch family...we love you guys!

The good news is that after so much waiting, ups and downs, and the most unconventional adoption ever, we are ecstatic to annouce the our day in court was succesful and we are the proud parents of Alicia Yuliya! We are both beaming with joy, as though she was shown to us for the very first time. Our hearing on Thursday was anything but typical. The judge was brutal with us and Yuliya, and left Carrie and Yuliya in tears. I'll go into more detail when we get internet at our apartment, but suffice it to say that we are glad that it is all over. Even our tranlator (Natasha) was staring in unbelief at some of the things the judge said to us. I'll give you the complete rundown on Tuesday. We don't have internet because we were quicly shuttled off to Sumy 10 minutes after court adjourned and we now have a new translator (Natasha #2). The Morgan's had her services and loved her. So far, so good. The best news is (shhhhhhh!) is that we are able to have Yuliya for our 10-day waiting period. This move was in the best interest of Yuliya and the adoption as a whole. Please keep it hush hush until our 10-day wait is over on the 19th. Our adoption is still touch and go until then, so keep us in your prayers. After the 19th, barring any complications, she will officially, undeniably, 100% be ours for keeps. We are so excited to bring her home to our family and the many amazing friends she will have in our neighborhood. She is truly a blessing and we love her very much. Her personality is a mix of all 3 of our other children. She has the cuddly side of Caleb, the brains of Brandon, and the girly side of Eliza -- she should fit in just right. And she is so looking forward to that water balloon fight. :-)

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers comments, emails and concern. We've been touched by the ourpouring of care and attention on our behalf, and we could not be here without so many wonderful friends, family and neighbors. (Mom and Dad -- thank so much for taking care of our 3 kiddos. We so owe you for making this possible).

More details from Sumy later. If anyone needs anything from Sumy while we are here, please drop me an email. andreas.utah@gmail.com.