The big day! COURT! This morning at 10:30am, Vladivostok time (which was approximately 8:30pm at home) I was pronounced as Tatiana's new mommy! The Tatiana that was yesterday is no more - she is now Tatiana Elizabeth Repp!
I was SCARED out of my wits this morning. You think of court as a "bad" place where you go when something is wrong. We arrived at the Courthouse around 9:30am and went inside the room about 10 minutes to 10. The judge had not arrived yet, and everyone else inside was very friendly. I had made a picture book of Tatiana on Snapfish for the judge to see - and they all looked at it. The prosecutor said "future super model - Miss USA". And then there were jokes that "too bad she can't be President" - but I told them by the time she's old enough "AH-nold" will have fixed that!
The judge entered as the proceedings began. While I was still scared, it was really painless. The questions were exactly as expected with a couple small, but easy exceptions. My translator (a new one, specially for court) was GREAT! Very helpful and reassuring. After about 25 minutes of questioning and discussions from the social worker and prosecutor, we left the room for the judges decision. 1 minute later we were back inside and I was pronouced a mommy! And yes, Rhonda, I did tear up :)
I just had my celebratory lunch with Jeanette and Sophie and I think it's time for a nice nap!! Paka from Russia!
~ Tatiana's Mommy!
YEAH!!!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS TO THE REPP FAMILY AND WELCOME TO MAMAHOOD!
Congratulations Amy.....
ReplyDeleteand congratulations to Tatiana too.
You will be a wonderful mama...
the future Miss USA is a lucky
little girl.
Can't wait to see the full face pictures. Heidi already told me she is beautiful
We'll keep you both in our prayers.
Mary
Amy, I am such a dork, but I am totally teary at this news. CONGRATULATIONS!! I am soo happy for you! You are going to be an amazing mother and Tatiana is so lucky to have you!!
ReplyDeleteYaY!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI read that she can become president - If you do a readopt, it is as if she is a natural born citizen!!!!
Ms. President T!!!!
We are so happy for you!
Sorry - that was me- Jesse + Jason
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Amy!!!!! One minute, that must be a record! She is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Tatiana, you have a great new Mommy. You'll love growing up in Michigan. I did.
Tatiana Elizabeth Repp has such a nice ring to it! Congratulations again Amy!
ReplyDeleteWOO HOO! Happy Dancing here! So very very very glad to hear this!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations---and I love her name, too!
What a wonderful thing - so happy for you (inadequate words!) Sounds like you had a lovely judge.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you both. Adoption is a beautiful thing!
Congratulations! What a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteAmy-
ReplyDeleteHOORAY!!! What great news. I can't wait to see pictures and hear all the stories.
Yay! I'm so happy for you! Best blog yet!
ReplyDeleteOhhh I am so happy for onemore saved life, you are great and congratualtion I have been following you blog every day since you left.Ivana
ReplyDeleteYea!!!!!! I am so excited for you and tearing up a little! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Tatiana's Mommy! I was thinking about you last night and so glad you posted an update today!!! YAY!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Amy!! That is the best news:_)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I got chills when I read how you signed that post! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteOh - Congratulations! We had four "court days" and I never got over being nervous - I finally realized that it is not just that it is COURT, it is a COMMITMENT!
ReplyDeleteTatiana is a lovely name - the name I was given my first day of Russian class in 7th grade and the one I used throughout my subsequent 10 years as a Russian student. Bless you!
Congratulations on officially becoming a Mom!!!! Although you've been her mom since October! You two are going to have the time of your life together! I can't wait to see how much she blossoms and grows with a Mommy!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you!
Hugs and God bless,
Angie
May God speed the time til you are together forever.
Congratulations! I teared up!
ReplyDeleteWoo Hooo! We are so happy for you and your daughter!!!! Congratulations on being Mama!!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy - Congrats... take snapshots in your memory of the sights the sounds and most importantly how you feel right now! I am so happy for you and little T. From one hopeful single mom to another who IS a mommy now... Wow... dreams do come true! Can't wait for pictures!
ReplyDeleteStacey
CONGRATULATIONS Amy!!! We are SO excited for you!!! Didn't the wait for the verdict seem like years? I kept thinking we were waiting for hours when in reality Mike told me it was only a couple of minutes!! Can't wait to see Tatiana's sweet smile and Mama's smile, too!!
ReplyDeleteWow! It seems so surreal. I don't even know you, but I feel like I do. I'm so happy for you, but also nervous because it's such a change. I know you'll be a great mom and Tatiana will be so incredibly happy and grateful that you are her mommy. It's all too beautiful! The energy in the Universe has been very kind this week.
ReplyDeletePictures! Pictures! Pictures!
Congratulations! (and thanks for the email/tip)
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!
ReplyDeleteJoy
I'm tearing up just reading your post! It seems like it's been such a long journey. I am so excited for you and Tatiana. You are both so lucky to have found each other. HUGS and guess what we're opening tonight .. POP! Whoopee! I've had a cold bottle of bubbly chilling for this very news. Hugs, love and paka baby! Tamara
ReplyDeleteWhat, no tears from Rhonda yet? C'mon Rhonda - shed a few!
ReplyDeleteLove from Tatiana's grandma,
Sue in Croswell
Absolutely wonderful news!!!! I am so happy for the both of you!! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your time there and see full pics soon.
ReplyDelete-Laura (LH family)
What wonderful news....you're a mommy!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Amy -- just know there are so many of us thinking about you and Tatiana and we are just dying to see pics of the two of you together.
Continued blessings!!
~Laura
oh my gosh amy! this is so wonderful. and yes, tearing up here too. xoxooxoxx. so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteOH CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! I am super happy for you and Tatiana! Yipee!
ReplyDelete