Court Date

(Ted writing this time)

We finally have a court date set for this Friday, March 20, at 9:30 am Kiev time. This is an important step in the process - as after the court stuff is done we can (dare to dream) start preparing for a trip home by applying for a passport. And after a ten-day wait period post-court, we should be able to bring Dima back to our apartment in Kiev! After a favorable court ruling, Dima will legally be "our" child. We have no idea why we have to wait ten more days for custody...though methinks it has a lot to do with the fact that we'll spend a lot more good ole' American dollars in ten days than we would in, say, one. I'll stop there, in the interest of maintaining a decent attitude (and also not swearing).

We're excited to cross this significant hurdle and, as always, covet your prayers for a smooth and speedy process. We thank God that we've remained healthy thus far - Bogdan's near-vomit-inducing driving notwithstanding. It seems like a little thing to pray about, but...we have to drive 50 KM and back on Thursday to get a document before the court date, and it would be really great to do so with Vadim behind the wheel. (Now is a good time to mention that I really like Bogdan too, as a person...it's just that when I ride with him I feel like I'm getting over the flu for the rest of the day).

Here are a few pics of us sightseeing and doing tourist-type activities in and around Kiev, with our new friends the Janzens, who are awesome and are also Canadians. Also a great pic of Dima admiring himself in a mirror while wearing a construction helmet.