Still lettin' it settle in...

but thought you'd like to see this picture taken outside the courthouse right afterwards:

An hour earlier, during a 30-minute break, tired of sitting in the stifling courtroom, Mike & I took a walk around the street. It was very cold and windy, and it was snowing lightly, as usual. We were actually hungry (something that doesn't happen while we are at court, normally, since we're too nervous...) So being in Russia, we did what the Russians do...

Went to the store and bought ice cream cones!

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Full story later but, Harry will not be allowed to come home for good, until after the 10 day waiting period is over, but, we are able to have him for the weekend. (We have learned the 10 days includes weekends so Feb 2nd is THE day!) We are leaving here in a hour to visit with him, and wait for Irina to arrive with the written permission from the Head Doctor, then we'll come back here. Tonite we have plans to go out for dinner with Irina, Ksusha & Vova, and HOPEFULLY Debbie & Brian if they can make it.

Our minds are still sorting out all that's happened, and what lies ahead.

I can tell you that when we sat Skip down and told him, his eyes immediately filled with tears. He then ran to me and hugged me for a very long time. He would hug me, then look at me and ask "Really?"

Yep, Really!