Adoption Day!
At precisely noon today local time, we were granted adoption of Elena Andreevna Podogova (now formally known as Zoe Elena Tublin) by the court in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

As with all Russian court decisions, the adoption award is subject to a ten-day waiting period to take full effect. So we are coming home to the U.S. on October 7, then returning to Yekaterinburg and Moscow on October 17 to truly complete the adoption and bring her home about a week later.

Besides getting re-acquainted with Zoe (rhymes with Joey)'s big brother, I'll be providing more details, photos and back-filling of missing blog entries during our ten-day wait (not to mention catching up with work for my very understanding employer).

For the forseeable future, we'll continue to call her Elena (pronounced "Lienna") during the transition period.

The court hearing itself was all we thought it would be. From her reaction, it seemed the Judge had a bit of a sense of humor. But at times, some of the questioning was downright insulting. Olga, our court translator (pictured with us outside the courthouse), smoothed the way ensuring the questions and answers were easily understood. The court hearing is closed, so the specifics can't be made public.

Still, we somehow believe that the Judge has the best intentions of the children in mind. The documentation obstacle course she has set up over the last year is perhaps her way of finding the best parents for these children--those who can react quickly and calmly after their patience has been stretched beyond the limit, and are truly determined to get their children.

Unfortunately, other potential American adoptive parents have simply walked away out of frustration in the documentation process while waiting for a court date, and their children continue to wait...and wait...and wait.  ¶ 9:21 AM