Board of Guardians

We were so nervous and it was so hot in the room we all about melted. the head of the board started talking and said, "Well Katia's brothers don't want to be separated so we can't let her go." Vladimir stood up and told them that according to the law she was old enough to make her decision and since the brothers already separated themselves from her by going to the foster family. Katia's Grandfather and Uncle came, we were worried that they would not let her go, But her grandfather stood up and said that no one has visited her and that he cannot take take of her that he was willing to let her go with us so she could be happy and have a family, the uncle agreed. The grandfather was so cute during the proceedings he came over and looked Katia in the eyes and asked her if she loved us and wanted to be with us, Katia said yes and he said that it was fine and bent down put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her forhead. When it seemed like they were not going to alow us to take her Katia stood up and said that she didn't want to be with her brothers and that she loved us, she started to cry then I started to cry. The board finally decided to ask us some questions, what our home is like, how many children, about Nadiya and Stephen. Oh this was the best question: How soon will we return for a visit? We couldn't say never but I sure wanted to. Who would check up on us and the children? Like they keep track of the kids up at camp! But an Ukrainian family might come and adopt her, please she has been in the orphanage for 8 years and the older they get the less likely. Well they finally put it to a vote 9 for the separation, 3 against and 4 obstained. Boy what a relief, Katia was so quiet I think she thought she hadn't done what she was suppose to do. They wanted her to be more out spoken, but that isn't really her nature. Maybe it was best for her to sit quietly until the right moment when she really told them how she felt. We left and talked to Katia's grandfather and uncle and got their address and a picture with them. Katia didn't even know who they were but she sure looks like her grandfather, they are from her mothers side. Vladimir and Natasha went back up and news had already traveled to the lady over the region(we are a very high profile case) she has already threatened those that agreed to the separation with their jobs. What a witch!!!! We still need to get the letter tomorrow signed by the guy in charge of the board of guardians, he wasn't there today. So there is still a chance that they could change their minds. So keep praying. Tomorrow we visit with the City Inspector and their board, it will be a piece of cake compared to today. The Inspector likes us and we like her. We have had to take the guy from the camp for our representative from the orphanage, he's a good guy