THE COURT RULES FOR ...

They are ours!! We now have a Hood family of 6!

What an emotional day!! There are not many days in my life that I remember being as emotional as this one. Our court hearing began at 11:30, recessed for lunch and then concluded at 4:30 today. We were asked several questions about various parts of our lives by the judge, jurors, and prosecutor. The orphanage social worker and psychologist were also asked several questions. After much tedious review and a 20 minute decision recess, the judge announced that the state of Ukraine had granted us our four children! (We knew they were already ours-they always would have been no matter what the ruling was!)

We met with #1 and #2 today after court to tell them the good news. They were very excited and are THRILLED about coming to America. #2 began clapping and smiling and #1 began thinking and asking questions. The first question was "Do you have any other children?". What a great question-we had never told them that we did not have children. We also told them that in 11 days we will arrive to pick them up and that they will stay with us forever. We will never have to kiss them and leave them at the end of the day again. Both children are excited about flying on an airplane for the first time and even mentioned that they would have to sit down and buckle their seat belts.
Amanda

God is good. If there was anyone that did not deserve this blessing, it is me. God's grace is sufficient. At the moment, I am overwhelmed that we have been granted the right to adopt these wonderful children. During the court hearing, we heard a letter that the oldest hand wrote. Between tears, I heard this: "I like them very much and I would like to have a home with them and my sister and two brothers..." . At that point, I become teary eyed and for the first time understood that the toughest of the kids may love her new parents. Later when the ruling was read, the end of a long emotional process had culminated with the words -- Approved.

We told the two older ones after the hearing. Our translator, told the oldest to come inside for some news. She asked if the news was bad. Probably due to the fact that we did not see them at the normal times and were dressed up. We told them that they would be ours for the rest of their life after 11 days. They were excited.

She did not quite understand why we had to leave. I explained to her that for the next 10 days that we have certain times that we can visit. I kissed her and hugged her. She said, "why do you kiss and hug me if you are going to leave. I explained to her that it is temporary and that once this time is finished, she can keep the clothes that we bought and be with us everyday. She said, "you mean the one's mama gave me?"

The next kiss and hug was received and returned. End of a great day
Jerry