Day 27

Ladies and Gentlemen Friends and Relatives
(Ahem)
It is with great joy that we announce the adoption of:
Tatianna Ann Christofferson
Born: January 4, 1992

Sophia Ann Christofferson
Born: September 3, 1997

Anna Renee Christofferson
Born: December 20, 2000

Adopted this 12th day of February 2009
Parents Rolan and Eileen are dazed, uh, fine.

After 4 years, we finally found what we’ve been looking for!

The day started with a bit of rare sunshine. Clouds moved in but we remained hopeful. Tanya popped in looking beautiful at 11am. Rolan went and got the girls at 12. They showered, dressed and ate and ate and ate (but that’s another story).

At 1:40, we caught a cab for the courthouse. I still think we are going to see a big beautiful building instead of a post-soviet cinderblock box whenever we have to go some place official. They are always practical and not extravagant in any way. A steel fence surrounded the complex with an unusual winged hammer and sickle symbol mounted in the iron. The small parking lot was dirt. The girls were very excited. They ran ahead up 2 flights of stairs and down a narrow hallway lined with benches full of waiting people.

Olga was there. Tanya cornered her instantly blanketing her with chatter.

The court assistant came out and announced something. No one moved. She went in. Then she came out a few moments later to tell Olga something. Our boisterous mob filed in leaving the hall quiet again. It was 2 sharp.

The courtroom was surprisingly small with seating for 15 at most. In one corner there was a small jail cell with a bench. Three short pew-type benches and 4 desks. The recorder sat at one, there was one for the lawyer, one for a defendant and the judges “bench,” which was the smallest of all. The room was painted a very light pink but it was clean and well kept. The furniture looked fairly new. Each piece had a number. The flag and seal of Ukraine hung haphazard on the wall just behind the judge’s bench.

The judge himself looked to be in his 30s. He read the information on each document in a monotone voice, as fast as he could, signing each page as he went. Note to Ukrainian adopters: They do read all this stuff we send.

Representatives from Social Services, the orphanage and Tanya’s trade school were also there to give voice for the children along with 2 random guys whom I assumed to be witnesses (I guess they were ‘jury’).

We were asked why we wanted to adopt these children.

“Because we love children and we believe every child should have a family.”

“We hosted Sasha and Nastia last summer and fell in love with them. When we came to adopt them, we fell in love with Tanya too.” Olga translated for us.

Finally the monotone voice stopped. The judge and the 2 random guys went out for 5 minutes to deliberate. We talked. Contrary to my protests, Nastia wanted to investigate the contents of my purse. Tanya wanted some bucks for a gift for a friend. Sasha went over to the mic on the defendant’s desk and started tapping and talking into it.

Ah, family.

It was over before I knew it. Everybody believed the adoption is “in the best interest of the children.” There wasn’t a single voice of opposition. I bet the judge and the two random guys went out for a smoke.

We were off to “Chelentanos.” Olga bid farewell until the mandatory 10 day wait is over. The papers will be ready the morning of the 24th. We will need her here then!

We messed around until early evening. Tanya went home. Sasha and Nastia made a few more Valentines for buddies at the orphanage. We decided to have a light dinner in the attached restaurant. The food isn’t often good but pricey anyway. However this evening, the borshch was great. We were the only ones being served.

As we were finishing up, we watched a photographer come in and set up a light in different spots, moving it from one place to another. A lady in a white fur coat came over to us. In broken English, she said she was from a TV station filming a series on local dining spots. This restaurant was to be featured on Saturday. If we agreed to be filmed, our names could be selected to win a free dinner at this restaurant. (Oh, how thrilling.)

Well, how do you like that? Hollywood finds us even in the remote Ukrainian city of Slavyansk.

After careful consideration, I said no. Though I knew she wouldn’t understand, I said something about protecting the children. We got out of there.

The girls grew up here. They know quite a few people. I don’t think anyone has the power to stop the adoption but they could make trouble should they decide to. Yeah, let’s avoid that. Sorry young starlets, no TV appearances this week.

P.S. A little something about all the Ann(s). Tanya and Sasha both chose their names. Tanya liked Ann for a middle name and then Sasha decided she liked it too. We helped Nastia to choose her name. She showed some interest in Anna but couldn’t seem to give a definite answer. Anna is a great American name and short for her birth name of Anastacia so it stuck. Funny thing: the girls chose their names before without knowing my middle name is also . . . Ann.