Allow Us To Introduce to You....

Dear Family and Friends,

We would like to introduce to you the newest members of the Clark Family.

Kaitlyn Viktoria Clark and Broden James Clark

On November 13, 2008, we were granted custody of these two wonderful kids. We were taken into a court room to appear before the civil court judge and his witnesses. There he led a formal hearing where we stated our names, birthdates, address and highest degree. We then heard the law related to adopting and our rights as the one petitioning the court for the children. The adoption lawyer and the person in charge of the adoptions and orphanages in Belgorod gave their approval that our adopting of these children would be in the best interest of the children. Following this there was an opportunity for questions, but nobody had any, so we were asked to step into the outer office while the court deliberated. This took all of 1 - 2 minutes and we were brought back in so that we could hear the court's decision, which was that they agreed! Then the judge announced the order for issuing new birth certificates and passports in their names with us as their adoptive parents. We overjoyed to hear all of this and then court was adjourned and congratulations took place. We thanked the judge and his witnesses and the attorney and person in charge of adoptions. We especially thanked Lyudmila for her constant help in all that we've been doing since we arrived. She's been so gracious and helpful to us and the Greers. After our court time the Greers came in for their court appearance and were granted custody of their new son, Justin.

Later that day, around 8pm, we were able to visit the orphanage to tell the kids. Kaitlyn, Broden and Justin along with about 15 other orphans had just returned from their festival performance in Odessa. We were greeted at the door by Kaitlyn and Broden and others saying, "Mama! Papa! First Place!". They had all done so well that they as a group of performers won first place for their variety of songs, dances and emcees! We got upstairs and sat them down to tell them of our good news as well. They were so excited that they started jumping up and down and hugging us. It was truly a special day! We had them talk to Lyudmila on the phone who explained what is happening now. Kevin Greer needed to tell Justin that he was leaving in the morning for Odessa, flying to Kiev and signing papers at the embassy. Then he would be flying to California to work and be with their other 2 children. We told Kaitlyn and Brody that I would be leaving on Sunday, but that Kim will be staying and after 10 days they would travel with her to Odessa to obtain birth certificates and passports and then to Kiev to finalize things with the US Embassy. I told them that I will go to California and we would all be waiting anxiously for their arrival with Mama.