OK, so the last two days have been a total experience. We landed in Khabarovsk and it was raining (yesterday). We went to the Sapporo and had the same room as our last visit #512. I think when we get home I am going to play that number. It is very humid and the pollen is very heavy. At two thirty our interpreter came and took us to the orphanage. Katya has been moved to the "older wing". Another building with kids from 3 to 9 years old. There are four floors and the building is in better condition but there are six beds to a room. And one sitting room have 6 or 8 beds in it. When the nurse brought Katya to us she was covered in a red bite rash. We were told they were mosquitoes. But it looked like scabies to me. For over an hour Katya screamed and tantreumed when we tried to hold her or touch her. Three or four workers tried to help. It did no good. We even put on jackets like the staff. No. She wouldn't even let me touch her. I had pictures of the three of us from the last trip. She looked at them and slowly she began to remember. I finally bribed her with chocolate. Our translator made the workers leave so we could be alone with her in the playground. She finally let me hold her and Joe pick her up. The playground was hideous. A sandlot full of tall grass, mosquitoes, ants, broken glass, broken playground pieces and dog crap. We hated to leave her there. When it came time for us to take her back she began screaming and clinging to Joe. It was so hard to leave her there. The orphanage director loved all the donations. She was truly overjoyed. It was nice to see someone who appreciated our help. It was hard to sleep that night. With our board mattress, court date and jet lag. I got up at 6:30. I went downstairs and sent out some emails then had breakfast. After breakfast I picked out the interpreter Galena's gift and the clothes for Katya. Lemon yellow and white dress, bloomer, yellow socks and white sandals. Court lasted only 40 minutes tops but it was a stressful 40 minutes. The judge without much emotion, the prosecutor stern. Finally it was over. We were awarded adoption of Katya. The judge did not waive the ten days, so we will remain here for 10 days. It will give us more time to bond. Katya has thrown 4 tantrums in 5 hours. First for Joe trying to wheel her down the hall, (She didn't want to leave) then for the chamber maid (she thought the chamber maid was one of her care workers). then before and during her bath. And then over going to bed. Its almost ten and she now appears fallen asleep. Tomorrow I will bathe her to remove the scabies cream. She loves her sippy cup. She has taken it to bed with her. Good night Katya. Sweet dreams my beautiful daughter.

Rain

We went to see Katya today. I was so happy to see her, she hasn't changed one bit since we last saw her. I'm sure she grew some - her foot measurement went up by 1/2 inch in 4 months. At first she didn't recognize us, but after a while she was interacting with us. She let Rain hold her hand while she walked around and eventually let me pick her up and carry her. She fussed but when she realized I was not putting her down she calmed down. When it was time to hand her back over for the night she did not want to go. She screamed and carried on. I'll take a sign that she was comfortable with us. Tomorrow at 11am is our court date.

Joe