Vigale Family

February 26, 2010

Well today we became a family of 4! Court was nothing like I had expected. I said our speech, and everything else still seems a blur. All I know is the judge said YES and we are the proud parents of Oliver and that’s all that counts. We are blessed with a daughter and a son.

We left the hotel around 9 as we had to go to the notary and a couple of other places before court. When we arrived at the court, it was filled with people and there really was no space to sit. Kuylash suggested that Isabel go back with the driver to the hotel to wait. In Kazakhstan you are able to leave your children alone at a very young age which explains why we have seen very young children walking home alone. So Isabel and the driver walked out of the court hand in hand. Our translator called the front desk to ask her friend who also works in the hotel to keep an eye on her. As it turns out, Isabel came up to the room and was on the computer and reading the whole time we were gone. When we came in after, she asked “Did we pass?” She said it had been so nice and quiet and she enjoyed being alone. Normally I would have been worried about leaving her alone in a hotel, but I was so nervous I didn’t give it a second thought until after court when I said quick lets get back to Isabel and fast!!!

After, we had to get some more pictures. The court needed a different type of album. We had been told to buy one with room to write, but because all our pictures were dated we only needed a simple smaller one. We had to buy 4 as we had to have about 5 photos for each day and we have been in Semey 21 days, wow that went fast!!!!

Next we were able to fit in a quick last visit with Ollie. We were so happy to tell him he now had a mommy, daddy, sister, and 2 dogs. A real family. Of course he really does not understand now, but one day when he reads this he will. Our visit was too short and it was time to say good bye, but unlike every other day, we were not able to say see you in the morning. As I kissed him good bye, the tears just kept coming and one of the care givers was saying, don’t worry he will be here waiting for you, which should have made it better, but it didn't. All I could think of was him looking at the door each morning waiting and us not coming. I know the time will fly by, but it was very hard. We have been lucky enough to have spent almost 4 hours with him everyday for the last 3 weeks, and soon we will have him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for life.

Well, sorry this post is a little short, but we have to pack for our journey home begins in the morning beginning with the famous Yak 40. We will be spending 1 night in Almaty and then will be home in CT on Sunday night. So, when we are rested, we will post an update and pictures of our last few days in Semey. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers these last few days, they mean so much to us all.

The Vigale Family

Adoption Journey to Kazakhstan