The improv...

As I continue to struggle with travel issues/decisions, I also battle with coping with the fact that much is going on back home, that Skip & I are missing out on because of the prejudices of one judge. But, today, I decided to fight back and NOT let her take Halloween away from Skip - or for that matter, deprive both boys of their first one together. So...we improvised, and here you have it:

The boys colored their own masks, I taped a paper "H" on Harry's shirt, and an "S" on Skip's, then turned the mini blankets into temporary capes, with the aid of the shoelaces from Skip's sneakers. On the way home from picking Harry up today we stopped for milk & bananas at the corner store, and picked up a bunch of candy. They'll get to eat a little and most will go to the BH for the other kids. It works.

In regards to the court hearing this week for the 6 families and birthmom. Three showed up and gave what the Dept. of Guardianship deemed "appropriate statements", as did the birthmom. One family had moved and was just located, and a hearing has been set for ugh, 12 November for both them & the one family who thusfar is refusing to appear. Not that they have anything bad to say, just that they work, don't have transportation/babysitting issues, and just can't be bothered. Irina said perhaps they'll send armed escorts for them...goodness. The last family, lives in a very remote village in another city. They are willing to cooperate, but have no way to get to their regional courthouse, which apparently is quite a distance. They have asked to have escorts - or as Irina called them "ushers" to come to take legal statements from them. It appears everyone should be accounted for by the 12th. Then their statements will be sent to Judge Stepanova in Irkutsk. The concensus here (Irina, Guardianship Dept. Center for Adoption people, etc.)is that this is good news thusfar, that after the 12th, we'll get a court date shortly thereafter.

Of course we're talking late November, if that is true. My visa expires on the 20th of December. Not sure what to do at this point. Unless we get a date by the end of Nov. my visa will expire. If we don't, there is no use staying here, but there is no way of predicting when the date will be. I'm hoping for some insight/guidance from the Attorney, who is due like any time... The logical thing would be to return for a short period and return once I get the new visa, but, we're talking yet another $3,000 minimum for tickets for Skip & I, on top of what it will cost to get Mike back here. On that note, we are extremely grateful to Brandi, who had a relative that not only got Mike back from NY to BOS this week, but is willing to help him get back from BOS to Moscow when we get a court date! That is HUGE! We are SO grateful to them, and so thankful for the prayers and efforts from everyone!