Court Day - Dec 16

Jacob Konabek was announced as our child today!

We met the drivers this morning at 9:15 and went to the court building. We had a nice driver that spoke English well. It was nice to be able to communicate about what was going on. It always feels as if we never know what to expect next. Anna and the Carney's were at the court building when we got there. (We had different drivers... and the Carney's picked up Anna on the way and still beat us). We walked up to where our court hearing was to take place and Anna prepped us. She said that she wasn't worried about our hearing. There were three couples total waiting to go in. We were 2nd and the Carney's were 3rd.
The hearing was shorter and easier than we expected. Jeff went first and answered the majority of the questions. At first the judge seemed really stern but halfway through the questions our pictures were submitted to her. She started smiling and laughing from that point on. Then she passed our pictures over to the prosecutor who then smiled and chuckled as well. Jeff talked for about 10 minutes maybe. When it was my turn she pretty much asked me my name, where I was born and one other question and then I was excused. A woman standing in for the resident physician went next. They briefly spoke and laughed more. A regional woman that represented our orphanage gave them a paper said about one sentence and stood down. The prosecutor said something then the judge left the room to make her decision. About 2 minutes later she came back and read a bunch of stuff and then said that he is ours!
We came back to change.. We had a bit of time before we could go to the orphanage. Jeff crashed on the couch. The last few days have been very emotional and tiring. Our driver picked us up and we arrived at the orphanage at about 4. Jacob was just waking up from his nap. They dressed him in all of his cold weather gear and we took him to get his passport and visa photos done. He wasn't so sure about all of it. He of course started crying when he saw us and then as soon as we got outside he was quiet. The photo place was a few feet down the road (we drove). We took most of his winter gear off and did his picture (he still wasn't sure what was going on so he had his frowny face on). The driver was very nice and helped us distract him so that he didn't cry while we were trying to do the pictures. We took some toys with us, but everything was so new to him that it was tough. We put his winter gear back on (snowpants, boots, coat, hat, hood, and scarf) and went back to the orphanage.
We were able to play with him until about 5:30-6 and then our driver wanted to leave to take us back. Jacob bonded with Jeff today. He is such a smart little boy. First he started muttering different sounds and kept saying ball. We really didn't say it too much prior to this so we thought that he was saying something different in Russian. Later we realized that yes, he was saying 'ball', 'dada', and 'papa'. He was cuddling with Jeff when we left. Very sweet....
When we dropped him off back to his group the driver was with us. He and the worker were talking. She told him that Jacob was very smart and that they all liked him. That was cool to hear. Normally we cannot communicate with these people at all... They just talk to us and we give them blank stares back. :)
We all went out to eat at the Starlight Diner - a 50s american diner - we are so daring... :) At least it wasn't McDonald's this time.
We hung out with Jon and Janice and the Carney's and then headed back to pack.
Our flight leaves at 5:50am on the 17th. We have transportation scheduled to pick us up at 2:30am! I guess that we aren't going to bed... no sleep seems to be the theme for this trip. Power naps and coffee....
It is 12:30, we have 2 hours before we head home. This trip passed in a flash!
Thanks to everyone for all the prayers!