I171H IS HERE!!!

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

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!

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!

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."

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.)