Friday, December 28, 2007

16 Weeks DTV (and to add to my collection!!!)


Well, here we are....still counting!!! To be honest, I was a little sad that there was no Christmas miracle referral for us. I was really hoping we would get "THE CALL" right before Christmas, but I guess little Samantha isn't ready just yet. I am really enjoying my 11 days off. I've done some shopping and some cleaning/organizing. I couldn't resist this little sweater and matching hat from Gymboree! If it weren't for having my two boys with me, I probably would have bought more, but my boys HATE shopping! (Like father, like sons!)

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!


MERRY

CHRISTMAS!!!


Well, no Christmas miracle referral, but God has blessed us with a wonderful Christmas. We spent the day as a family. My parents came down from Oklahoma and Chraley's dad was here too. The kids got lots of cool stuff (the WII is the favorite). Now I get to enjoy the next 7 days off and we look foward to all the wonderful things that 2008 holds!
And to our little Samantha in Vietnam, Mommy & Daddy are coming soon. We are sad that we couldn't have you here with us this Christmas and hope you are warm & cozy and being loved until we get there!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Tis The Season! (for shopping)


As we get even closer to the day we have Sam in our arms I am troubled with the idea of shopping! Christmas is almost here and the shopping still is not done (as if Heather is ever done). I dont usually post, the few times I have they were erased almost immediately but I had to comment on the whole "each new week holds new hope/new outfit" philosophy my wife has here lately. Somedays I am ready for Sam to be here as much as Heather is, but today I had a thought. If my wife is shopping for Samantha this much now how much more will she shop after she is home? Heather just walked through the door with TWO new outfits (I guess this makes up for last week) and a very special rubber ducky picked out by Cody just for Sam. So here I sit after 304 days since we started and 15 weeks since DTV impatiently waiting and at the same time dreading the lonely nights sitting at home while my wife and new daughter are out and about shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping, and yes even more shopping. I sure hope Samantha likes to Shop! Merry Christmas everyone!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

15 Weeks DTV!


Yes, I am still counting away the weeks from DTV to referral. With each week that passes, I feel as though I have accomplished something! Can you believe another week marked and no new outfit to commemorate the milestone??? Maybe I will come across something while I'm finishing my Christmas shopping this weekend. Besides, I have to get Samantha something for Christmas, even if she isn't here yet, right?

Monday, December 17, 2007

300 Days Ago.....

We officially began our adoption journey! Sometimes it feels like it was just a few weeks ago, and sometimes it feels like it has been years! When we began our journey, I never dreamed that Samantha wouldn't be here for the holidays this year. I thought I'd be buying cute little clothes and toys to put under the tree with her name on them, but it just wasn't time yet. (Make no mistake, I am still buying, it's just going in her closet, not under the tree!!!) I truly believe that God has chosen Samantha to be with our family and it is all is His timing that things will fall into place. Maybe it will be a few more days or maybe it will be a few more weeks. It's possible that it could even be a few more months, but I really feel like it won't be much longer. However long the wait is really doesn't matter. What matters is that we will someday hold the child who God has created to be with our family.

Friday, December 14, 2007

14 Weeks DTV / New Spring Outfit!


OK, so how could I resist this one??? I couldn't!!! (I need to stay out of Baby Gap!) Well, here we are, 14 weeks since our dossier went to Vietnam and only 11 days til Christmas. There is still hope that we may get our Christmas miracle (referral) by Christmas, but it is beginning to look like it will be January. I hate it when Charley is right!!!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

We've Been DTV for 13 Weeks and There's 19 Days Left to Hope For....

.....OUR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!! We have been officially waiting for our referral for 13 weeks, and YES, I am still hoping for a Christmas miracle! We are really hoping to see her sweet face before Christmas, but there are several families still waiting with DTV dates before ours. As one of the staff ladies at our agency always says - EACH NEW DAY HOLDS HOPE!

Monday, December 3, 2007

FRIENDS & FOOTBALL


We went to San Antonio for the weekend to watch the Sooners *WIN* the NCAA Big XII Championship game. To see more pics from the game and the Riverwalk go to (www.fieldbunch.blogspot.com)

December - The Month of Miracles!

It's hard to believe that it's December already! Only 21 Christmas shopping days left. I better get busy!!! The Christmas season is such a magical time of year and as we celebrate this wonderful season, we are hopeful that this month will bring the miracle of Samantha! Several families with our agency received their referrals over the past few days. A big congrats to those happy families!!!

The Votes Are In!

Thank you to all who voted on our "When will we get our referral" poll. It was fun to see all the guesses! To those very optomistic 6 people who voted for November, I'm sad to say that November has passed and we have yet to see any trace of Samantha yet. To those 18 Christmas spirited people who voted for December, I'm right there with ya, hoping for our Christmas miracle! For those 11 people who voted for January, you all are Charley's biggest fans! And, lastly, for those 12 of you who voted for February, I hope you're a month or so off!!!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

12 Weeks DTV!!! (and things are happening!)

Today marks 12 weeks of waiting since our dossier went to Vietnam. With each week that passes, I wonder how many more weeks I will have to wait before I get to see her sweet face. BUT...things are happening! A few more families with our agency received referrals yesterday and today. (If you are one of those families and you are reading this, A BIG CONGRATS TO YOU!!!) I am soooooo ready for it to be our turn to get "THE CALL!"

Monday, November 26, 2007

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...


We spent most of the day Saturday & Sunday decorating the house for Christmas. The kids did a great job getting all the ornaments on the tree. For more pics, see our family blog at (www.fieldbunch.blogspot.com)

Friday, November 23, 2007

11 Weeks DTV!

Another week closer! If only I knew how many weeks I'm counting to!!! From talking to others who have completed their adoptions, they say the wait from referral to travel is the hardest wait, but I think waiting on our referral will be the hardest. Day after day I wonder what she will look like, how old she will be and what province she will come from. I've convinced myseld that I'll be patient once we finally see her little face, but time will tell!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

THANKSGIVING!


Some of the things I am thankful for:
* Our Lord & Savior
* Our Family
* Our Friends
* Our Church
* Our Home
* Our Health
* To Be On This Incredible Adoption Journey
* My Blog Buddies
And truly, the list goes on and on. Above is a picture of our four children and their Granny & Papa. We spent the day at their house in Oklahoma. I am so thankful for my parents and the special relationship that they have with our children. We are so blessed!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Baby Gap Fun - Thanks Jenna!





My GREAT blog buddy, Jenna, sent me a friends & family discount card, so how could I have resisted this??? It's a good thing I had so much fun at Gymboree last week & Baby Gap this week becasue Charley said, "NO MORE SHOPPING!" Oh well, it was definitley fun while it lasted!!!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

TEN WEEKS & COUNTING!!! (VOTE)


IT"S BEEN TEN WEEKS SINCE WE WERE DTV & YES, I'M STILL COUNTING!!! With each week that passes, I wonder what Samantha will look like and when we will finally get to see her sweet face! I'm hoping for our referral by Christmas and I feel like that's a good possibility, but Charley thinks it will be January. What's your vote? (See poll on right, be sure to vote!)

Monday, November 12, 2007

GYMBOREE FUN!!!


Well......here's the damage done at Gymboree's big sale! If there's anything that can put a smile on my face, it's a great deal, and wow did I get a really great deal on these little outfits!

Cheer Up Cake!


My great friend Michelle and her sweet little girl Allegiance (one of the little ones I have at my in home daycare) brought me this mini lemon bundt cake wrapped in cheer! It was delicious - lemon cake is my favorite! Thanks Michelle, you always know how to help me look on the brighter side of things! Here's hoping things will look up in the Vietnam adoption world! We are so ready to have Samantha here with us!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

9 Weeks DTV & GYMBOREE SALE!!!


Today we have been DTV for 9 weeks! (I prefer to count weeks verses months as it seems to go a little quicker that way. To me, 9 weeks sounds better than 2 months, bigger number!!!) The past two days have been a little rough in the Vietnam adoption world and I won't go in to all the details, but please join me in prayer for ALL of the families that are in the Vietnam adoption process, especially the families who are in Vietnam right now. They need your prayers.

On a lighter note...starting today (and ending on Sunday, Nov. 11th) Gymboree is having a 30% off Circle of Friends sale (this includes regular & clearance). Coupon is required for discount on in store purchases and a code is required for online purchases. Email me and I can email you the coupon if you need one! HAPPY SHOPPING!!! (Yes, I'll be going tonight...pics of the dammage tomorrow!)

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

I got in trouble.

Most people didnt even see the picture of Heather I posted last night and like I thought she would delete it before anyone could. But since she has commented that I never post anything I thought that I would post this!
(Charley, LML)

Thursday, November 1, 2007

8 Weeks since DTV & Cute Dots!!!




8 weeks since we were DTV and waiting for referral....how many more to go, that is the question. I think the waiting would be easier if we knew how long we have to wait to see her sweet face. The wait hasn't gotten any easier, so I continue to buy cute things to keep myself entertained! Here is my latest purchase. I can't resist the dots, they do me in every time!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


Happy Halloween! Can't wait til I have my "little pumpkin" in my arms. I can't wait to dress her up and take her Trick or Treating next year! It was soooo hard seeing all the cute little costumes.....so.....I caved. I found the cutest little piggy costume at Baby Gap and when it went on clearance, it had to come home with me!!! It's 12-18 months, but if it's not the right size at Halloween, I'll be sure and put it on her when it does fit! I love piggies! Samantha has piggy pajamas, a piggy blanket and lots of stuffed piggies. I'll have to do a "piggy post" some day when I have nothing else to write about and show off her piggy collection!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

7 Weeks Ago...

We were DTV (Dossier To Vietnam). I have to admit, those 7 weeks have gone by fairly quickly for me. Most families with our agency wait an average of 3 months from DTV until referral, in which case, we could be half way through this wait. BUT....there are also families who have waited as long as 5 months. We know that it is all in God's perfect timing, but it sure would be nice to know when that is going to be!

Nothing much planned for this weekend. Maybe a little retail therapy and maybe I'll do a little work in Samantha's room. I still have quite a few things to hang up on the walls, but I have to get Charley in there to help me. If I wasn't waiting on him, it would already be done :o)

Friday, October 19, 2007

Mood Change...


Well, I have nothing new to write about. No exciting news, no cute new outfits, nothing! BUT, enough of that pitiful puppy, here is my new adoption mood! Or, atleast I wish I could sit back and soak up the sofa & some blueberry muffins for a while.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

This Is My Mood Today

This face is a pretty accurate expression of my day.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Patience Dust

OK, I am having an impatient day - IMAGINE THAT!!!! So, I decided to sprinkle my blog with patience dust and see if that works! But don't worry, I have a retail therapy day planned for Saturday just incase it doesn't work!!! No news in the adoption world, but we are hoping to hear something soon!






Sunday, October 7, 2007

Baby Shower For Cheryl!


Today I hosted a baby shower for Cheryl, a great friend of mine who is also adopting a baby girl from Vietnam! (www.oursophiarose.blogspot.com) The shower was a surprise, and we pulled it off! We gathered at The Green Bamboo, an authentic Vietnamese restuarant here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The food was delicious, the gifts were adorable, and a great time was had by all!

One Month

Today we have been DTV for exactly one month! It's still hard to believe that we aren't still wrapped up in the heaps of paperwork! It is definately nice to be able to sit back and wait, not running the rat-race of the paper-chase, but it sure is hard just WAITING on THE CALL!

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

To Keep Me Busy...


Well, nothing new or exciting this week, yet (each day holds hope). To keep myself busy, I started my packing list! WOW! What an undertaking!!! So far it's 5 pages long. I wonder how many suitcases it would take to get all 5 pages in there??? I'm sure it would be more than what Charley will let me bring! So I guess instead of coming up with more things to add to the list, I'll be thinking of what I need to take off the list! I know that even the thought of making a packing list right now is a little premature, but atleast I know I'll be READY when that day comes. Back to day dreaming for now!!!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Finding Joy in the Little Things

I am here to tell you, the WAIT, WAIT & WAIT SOME MORE" is NOT easy. I struggle everday to let ten minutes go by without an adoption thought crossing my mind. BUT, now that I can rest assured with our new agency, I am learning to find joy in the little things. I received the first square for Samantha's quilt in the mail this week from the Frank family (http://www.blessingsfromvietnam.com/) along with a beautiful prayer for Samantha. What a blessing it is to have met such wonderful and supportive people on this amazing journey to our daughter. I also received my Amazon book order this week. Cherie's book "After Sorrw Comes Joy" is amazing! My nose has been in this book every spare minute I have. EVERYONE should read this book. FALL! My favorite season. I got out my fall decorations and the house smells of pumpkin spice and it is looking like harvest time! Although we have mostly summer weather here in Texas, I am thankful to experience a little bit of fall, winter & spring. The summer heat brings lots of fun activities, but the fall & winter bring me so much joy! Lastly, I had to make a quick run to Super Target after church last night for ziplock bags and a loaf of bread. Some how I ended up in the baby section (imagine that!!!) and found the neatest thing (see picture above)! After speaking with several people who have adopted internationally, the #1 reccommended toy to take for playtime at the hotel is beach balls and other inflatable toys. Of course I had already purchased a cute little girlie beach ball as soon as the pool toys hit the Toys R Us shelves, but to my delight, I came across the Safari Roller by infantino. It is an inflatable toy that has a jingling ball inside, and when you roll it, it rolls back to you, promoting movement and crawling. Are you excited yet??? I am (incase you couldn't tell, it doesn't take much to excite me when I'm baby shopping!) What's great about inflatable toys is that they pack great. Everyone keeps saying "PACK LIGHT" and that will be hard for me as my packing list is already pages long and we're not even close to travel time yet, but every day we are one day closer!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Good Books


Who loves a good book? I do, I do!!! Speaking of books, I ordered some books from Amazon the other day. To tell you the truth, I don't even remember all of them that I ordered, but I know for sure I bought the book that Cherie Clark wrote, "After Sorrow Comes Joy." After all the buzz about it on the PLAN yahoo group, I decided it is a must read. Does anyone have any great adoption books (for adults or children) they'd reccommend? I have one that I read for the first time 5 years ago. Since then I have read it another two or three times. It is an amazing book titled "The Strength of Mercy." If you are interested in reading it but have a hard time finding it, let me know and I'll let you know how to get a copy. You won't regret the time spent reading this book!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

100 Good Wishes/Prayers Quilt


As you know we are adopting Samantha from Vietnam. Before deciding on Vietnam we researched several other countries to adopt from, one being China. In researching China adoption, we learned about a tradition in Northern China called the 100 Good Wishes Quilt. I thought this was such a cute idea. What a special gift for any baby born anywhere!
Here is a little info:
To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or 100 Good Wishes Quilt. It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.
At this time I am asking you help us with our quilt for baby Samantha! It will truly mean alot to us (and someday to her) if you participate.
Below is some info, if you wish to participate:
Select a fabric that is meaningful to you.
100% cotton fabric is best, as it washes and wears better.
Fabric should measure about 12" x 12"
Please include a wish or prayer from you along with your name on a seperate piece of paper, index card or note card....whatever works for you.
Email me chkkbc@msn.com and I will email you our address to send it to!
THANKS SO MUCH! This will give me something meaningful to work on while I W-A-I-T!!! Also, I am a scrapbooker, so I will be putting all the written wishes & prayers in her lifebook/scrapbook!

Saturday, September 8, 2007

We are DTV (Dossier To Vietnam)


WE ARE DTV!

For those of you who know what that means, YES, we are doing the happy dance! For those of you who may not know what that means, let me explain: ALL of the stacks and stacks of paperwork along with chasing documents and getting them notarized that has consumed our time and our minds for the past six months, it is ALL DONE and ALL in it's way to Vietnam! So exciting to finally reach this point! So, now what? Now we get ready to WAIT... WAIT... WAIT and WAIT some more for that phone call that will give us the VERY HAPPY news that we have been matched with our daughter. Oh how I long for that day!

Monday, September 3, 2007

I've Been Tagged...

I have been tagged by Jenna at http://www.babystoll.blogspot.com/ and here are the rules of this tag...

* You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
* Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name.
* If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
* When you are tagged, you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts.
* At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.
* Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged & to read your blog! of this tag...

My middle name is Lynn - short, should be easy!!!

L - LOVE to shop!!!
Y - YES...I'm STILL in the middle of the adoption process & YES, I am still impatiently waiting!!!
N - Never seems to be enough time in a day, days in the week (and so on) to accomplish the many things on a working mom of 4, and soon to be 5, to do everything I want (and need) to do!
N - Now it's my turn to tag 4 people. If you've already been tagged, You're already done!

I'm tagging:
Jennifer @ http://www.journeytoholly.blogspot.com/
Sue @ http://www.macklisfamily.blogspot.com/
Jillian @ http://www.johnandjillian.blogspot.com/
Leigh @ http://www.ourquiverfull.blogspot.com/

HAVE FUN!!!

Friday, August 31, 2007

FedEx Arrives/Dossier Authenticated!


Our dossier has arrived back from the Vietnamese Consulate in San Francisco! It has been AUTHENTICATED and is ready to go to VIETNAM, get translated and be logged in with the DIA (Department of International Adoptions). The paperwork in FINALLY over - YAY!!! Once our dossier leaves for Vietnam, we are officially considered "WAITING" for the referral of our little girl. We are so excited about the next step of this incredible journey!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

3 Day Weekend!

We are so happy with our decision to change agencies as our new agency is amazing! They are so quick to answer emails & return phone calls and they genuinely have care and concern for their clients. The joy and excitement of our adoption journey is back in our hearts. I plan to spend some time working on Samantha's room this weekend. (3 days with nothing much planned - YAY!) Although her room is painted, fully furnished w/bedding & curtains, and her closet is full of clothes, I have not done anything in the way of decorating. There is NOTHING on the walls yet. I hope to change that this weekend and post pictures soon! (Speaking of the closet full of clothes, I had to post a picture of my latest purchase from Baby Gap...does it get mcuh cuter that brown w/pink polka dots??? I couldn't pass this one up at the clearance price of $6.99!)

Thursday, August 23, 2007

A New Chapter...


Well, as I've said before, I don't want to harp on the negative details of what's been going on, but long story short, our agency was not being truthful and things were not going well for all involved. Late last night we made the decision to part ways with our agency and switch to a larger, more reputable agency called PLAN (Plan Loving Adoptions Now). So, today starts a new chapter in our adoption journey. Samantha, we know you're out there....we're coming! Although we are a little frustrated to have to make this change so far into the process, better now than later as things were headed downhill quickly. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful group of supportive friends that are right here with us in this adoption journey and I will be forever greatful of all your support (you know who you are!) We feel very confident with PLAN as they have an awesome reputation with ALL of their clients. To Jenna, Cheryl & Julie, I am praying for you all and I just know everything is going to work out for the better. Hang in there!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

A New View!


OK, I have not been posting all the "specifics" of the issues we've been having in this process as I want this blog to remain a happy place! But, I have to admit, there have been some information out there that has caused us to have concerns to say the very least. SO...I have decided that I've had all of that funk I can stand and I am going to devote myself to prayer for the situations at hand and trust that God will reign here and all will work out. I decided to "cheer-up" my little spot on the web with some brightness. I liked the way it looked before, but I needed a break from black!

Dossier to Vietnam Consulate!

We are sending our documents via FedEx to the Vietnam Consulate today to be authenticated. Our original plan was to send them off last week, but there were a few minor complications along the way, however, they will be headed out today. If you are following our adoption journey, we ask for your prayers at this time as our agency is having some issues getting their official license complete is Tay Ninh, and that is the province where Samantha will be from.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Happy To See Mr. FedEx Again!


Today the FedEx man delivered two envelopes from the Texas & Oklahoma Secretary of State offices. All of our dossier documents have their "official seal of approval" and will be on their way to the Vietnamese Consulate in San Francisco first thing tomorrow morning! Yeah, one more step to cross off our list! DTV... I can almost taste it!!!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Dossier to Secretary of State!

Well, today we are sending our dossier off to the Secretary of State to get it authenticated. It is a good feeling to finally get it off my desk and out of the house! BUT...the real relief will be when we are DTV (dossier to Vietnam). My goal was to be DTV by the end of July, but July has come and gone, so now I am hoping we will have that accomplished by the end of August. I'm also hoping we hear some news on referrals REALLY soon! That would be awesome!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Long Boat Key Island Beach, Florida


We spent a wonderful weekend on Long Boat Key Island Beach in Florida with our two boys! It was a great little gettaway (but could have been a few days longer!) We stayed at a beautiful Hilton resort. The boys loved every minute of the sandy beach and the pool & hot tub. It was their first time to fly and their first time to see the ocean.
As for me, I loved every minute of it! Two emotional moments - 1) I looked out across the ocean and thought of Samantha waiting for us in an orphanage and wished she could be with her family now. 2) Walking off the plane and watching families greet loved ones, I couldn't keep from longing for the day that we are stepping off the plane with Samantha, greeting her siblings, grandparents & friends. That day cannot come soon enough!
To see more pics of our gettaway, visit our family blog @ www.fieldbunch.blogspot.com

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Another New Month


Can you believe it's August already? It seems like yesterday that I was posting on July 1st! I was really hoping that July would bring great news of referrals as well as being "Dossier To Vietnam." But July is gone and our dossier is with our agency being reviewed. I received an email last night stating I would get a list of things that are wrong with it today. What now??? Sometimes I wonder if all of our paperwork will ever be right! Maybe August will be the month for BIG news! Still hoping!

Monday, July 30, 2007

I171H IS HERE!!!

I'm so happy to report that our I171H arrived today! YEAH!!! Now onto the next step!

Friday, July 27, 2007

A Little Disappointed


Well, my mailman just came. No I171H :( I was really hoping it would have been here this week. Oh well, maybe next week. Let me rephrase that....it better be next week!!! I am leaving in about an hour to pick up my cousin Dawn from NY at the airport. We don't get to see eachother that often, but we always have such a great time together. That'll help pass time as we continue to WAIT WAIT WAIT. The day is still early, maybe Julie & Jenna will end the week with some great news. I keep hoping!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

A Special Birthday!


Today our oldest daughter turns 14! It's hard to believe we have a 14 year old (as well as a 12, 9 & 8 year old) and we have a toddler on the way! It truly seems like yesterday that our four "big kids" were toddlers! We have read many books and articles on preparing for an adopted child. We have educated ourselves on attachment & bonding, developmental delays and all that comes along with an adopted child. But........does anyone out there have any suggestions on books to prepare older children for the adoption process. I'm hoping there is something out there on their level. We have done our best to talk about all the possible issues our little Samantha could come to us with and how we will love her unconditionally, but it would be great if there was a book they could read as well. All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Generous Donation For Tiny Toes!

Thanks to everyone who spread the word about ROBEEZ Heart & Sole donation program! I received my box full yesterday. Thanks Robeez for this generous donation! We can't wait to get to Vietnam and deliver them to Samantha's orphanage! (For info on their donation program, visit www.robeez.com and follow the links to "Heart & Sole."

Sunday, July 22, 2007

A New Week

Friday we found out that our paperwork had arrived at the CIS office and they are working on our I171H. We are hoping that means we will have it in our hands this week. ALSO....our agency is expecting referrals any day now - SO EXCITING!!! I am hoping and praying that Julie & Jenna (#1 & #2 on the referral list) will get the news they have been waiting for and finally put a sweet little face with Lovey & Ella!!! Although we know that this is all in God's timing, we also know that things are starting to move along in the Tay Ninh province and referrals should start coming in!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Pitty Party Over!

Ok, the I171H pitty party is over! Chin up.....movin' foward! We now have the documents they've requested and they are certified and on their way to me via FedEx overnight mail. I will FedEx them overnight to CIS tomorrow and our social worker thinks we should have that stinkin I171H by the end of next week - fingers & toes crossed!!! We plan to sit down this weekend and go through all of our documents AGAIN, double & triple check every last one of them and have it ready and waiting for that final piece of paper. Hoping and praying that there will be no more issues with our paperwork so that we can move foward!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

I171H - BUMMER!

Just as the mailman pulled away, I ran to the mailbox (this is routine for me the past few weeks) and to my MAJOR excitment, there was an envelope from USCIS. Overwhelmed with happiness, I ran in the house to take a picture of this beautiful piece of paper to post on this blog, and then came the let down..... one of the documents we submitted was not "good enough" for their likings. SO, now I have the task of getting this document re-done and re-submitted so that I can WAIT again for this stinkin I171H! This disappointment calls for some major retail therapy this weekend!

Monday, July 9, 2007

The Faces of Orphans

I came across this picture on a Vietnam Orphan Relief website. As I look at their innocent little faces, my heart aches for the lonliness they express. Although I have peace knowing that I can make the difference in the life of an orphan child, it is heart wrenching knowing how many orphans will never know the love of a family. Please join me in prayer for the orphan children in Vietnam as well as the orphans in every country, including right here in America. They are all God's children, He hears their cry.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Long Time, No Post!

Well, I guess it really hasn't been that long since I posted, only a week. It seems like forever, yet I have no important milestones to tell about. No I171H, no more decorating done in her room and I don't think I've even had any "retail therapy" this past week! I am however hoping to have BIG news to post about this coming week. Maybe referrals, maybe an I171H, you never know, but good things are about to happen, I just know it!

Sunday, July 1, 2007

What Will July Bring???


Another new month! What will July bring??? HOPEFULLY lots of great things! Our I171H would be really nice, and my goal is to be DTV (Dossier to Vietnam) before July is over, referrals for all my "blog buddies" who have been waiting and waiting, and safe travel for all who are making the amazing journey to Vietnam to bring their little ones home!

Cute Jammies Too!




Last week I found cute slippers, this week.....even better......lots of Baby Gap jammies, and the best part.....they were on mega clearance! (For all you shopoholics out there who LOVE a great deal, if you go to the Baby Gap store, all their sale items are an additional 25% off, but only for a few days, and not on the online store.)