Sweet Justine

The first photo we ever saw of Justine.  April 2014

A photo of Justine that we took.  She is standing in the same spot as the first photo.  January 2015

Guardianship Granted

We finally heard today that our petition for JUSTINE'S guardianship has been granted!  We didn't doubt we wouldn't be approved, but still...  we actually know now!  I'm thinking we may have a romantic Valentine's Day airplane ride coming up.

Another Waiting Game

We heard word a few days ago that our judge didn't come to work on Friday and that Monday is a holiday in Uganda, so now we won't know the ruling until tomorrow or the next day.  It's very different there when it comes to people going to work.  They just go when they please, even if they have an important job.  In fact, we are lucky the judge was actually there the day of court.  With that being said, we should hear any day what her ruling is.  I texted Mark today and asked how J is doing.  He says she asks when we are coming back and he just tells her "soon".  Poor little girl.  She doesn't know what soon means and we really don't either.  So for now we just wait... again.

Temporary Goodbye

Our first trip to Uganda is about to end.  Mark and J dropped us off and now we are sitting at the Entebbe airport.  It was a teary goodbye.   Mark kept telling J not to worry..."they are coming back for you."  He assured her several times that she would also not be returning to her village.   Still... tears.  She was upset.   She kept a distance from us.  Our hearts were broken right along with her.  Luckily grandpa could hold it together.  He hugged her before either of us did or even wanted to.  After we all hugged her, they walked away. I could see her wiping her little tears on her sleeves in the distance.  Now all we can do is wait.  We are crossing our fingers for her passport to be processed while we are back in Alaska.  We think we will be returning in about three weeks.  Sweet lil J will attend school in Uganda for her first time while she waits for us.  Can't wait to bring her home...

Wash

Miss Independent

J is very independent.  I'm sure she did most things herself when she lived in her village. At this very moment, she is scrubbing down her clothes with a bar of soap in the bathroom sink.  When she finished some of her clothing, she looked for more to wash.  I love a lot of things about her culture.  Every time we eat at a restaurant, when J is done eating, she takes her plate to the nearest waiter or waitress and kneels down while handing it to them. She is saying thank you.  She is very meticulous and neat, yet she still needs to work on her manners!  Oh and this girl can shower.  No help needed.  She scrubs herself down from head to toe.  Soap in her eyes?  No problem!!!!  Getting hurt is usually funny to her!  I can see it now, she is going to be confused about why her younger brother is a big whiney pants.  She seems to be very happy and resilient.  I see future struggles but I feel she will transition well at home.  Can't wait!!

J

court

So today was the big day.  We awoke at 5:30am to meet the orphanage director.  Before he came, we ate breakfast with J.  It is a buffet style breakfast but they will make you an omelette the way you like. She pointed at the chopped vegetables and in her language she said she did not want them in her omelette. She does not like vegetables at all.  So we ate and then when Mark, the orphanage director showed up, we headed out. We met up with J's relatives at a parking lot and together we walked to another cafe so they could eat.  Mark had to translate for us because they only speak Luganda.  Finally we walked to the court house.  Once there, we sat in a waiting room with a few other Ugandan people waiting to see the judge.  After about an hour, it was our turn. We walked into what looked more like an office than a court room. The judge was a woman and next to her was a man translator.  The judge wanted us to sit in front of her desk so she could "look in our eyes and see if we are lying." I think she was teasing us but... hard to say.  After she questioned each relative, the investigator, and Mark, it was our turn. Fortunately we were able to remain seated and could answer questions together. She asked about our finances, discipline and how we will discipline an African child.  She asked about our marriage and why we are a stable couple.  We noted how when we disagree we can talk and problem solve. She then tried to trick us and say "So you never fight?" Ha!  Then she asked us if we know the tribe and clan of our little one.  Uh oh.  When I couldn't name them she told the attorney that this is a question she will be always asking families and they should know the answer.  Finally,  we were through.  Other than the one issue about her heritage, she commented on how well the investigation was done.  That is good news as it helps relieve her fears off child trafficking which is becoming an issue in many countries.   Even Uganda.  Before we left, the judge said she will have her ruling no later than Friday- a week or sooner. Later we met the relatives back at the hotel for photos. Its very important that we have those so J can cherish them.  We have a good feeling about court.  Hopefully everything else will continue to go smoothly.
 

meetcha day

We arrived in Uganda very late last night. It took awhile to leave the airport because some of our luggage went missing... and still is missing.  The driver for our first hotel picked us up and drove us down a long, dark dirt road.  My husband and father in law were wondering what I got us into. Luckily we were safe.  We slept there for about six hours and then awoke to repack and prepare to meet our little girl.  We ate breakfast downstairs and as we began to checkout I saw a man walk into the hotel lobby with a shy little girl in a black and white dress.  It was her.  She knelt at my feet.  That is the way children greet guests I suppose.  I showed her how to shake hands.  She was very quiet and absolutely adorable.  We all got into the van together.   The orphanage director has great English and he is so nice. He explained to us how important it is to bond with our child regardless that we will be leaving her and returning to America while we wait on paperwork.  Step number one of the bonding began today.  She is with us- alone.  He is running errands and won't be getting her for a few hours.  She has already come out of her shell.  We can't understand what she is saying... but she's not afraid to talk or even sing in front of us.  She is a very curious girl.  She was very excited when I got the pink fingernail polish out.  I painted her little toes. A pedicure is very much needed for her. Her toes have seen some rough days.  We are winding down right now.  In fact daddy and her are napping. More updates to come.