Remembering Linh

A very special "THANK YOU" to my dear and amaizng friends Jenna, Julie & Susan for this gift to our family. Yesterday afternoon, we received a "Seeds of Life" tree via FedEx. It is a kit to plant a tree in memory of someone special. This was such a thoughtful gift and we will treasure the memories of our sweet Linh as we watch her tree grow. Also, another very special "THANK YOU" to Cheryl & Sylvester for the angel. It is on our mantle and reminds us of Linh each time we pass. The frienships we have formed on this adoption journey is incredible. I am so blessed by each of you!

Thank You & Bless You All

WOW! There really are no words to explain how loved we have felt by all of you during this difficult time. The prayers, cards, gifts, flowers, memory tree, phone calls, kind words & visits are appreciated beyond measure. God has truly blessed us with an amazing family, friends & community. It is all of you who have gotten us through this devistating time and we thank you and love you all!

Happy Birthday Cody!!!

Cody turned 9 on Saturday! It's hard to believe he is 9 already, where does the time go??? Even though it was a very sad weekend in our house, grieving the loss of our little Linh, Cody had a great birthday. Granny came down from Okalhoma and made him a cake, we went out for lunch & dinner, and he got an awesome gift - a drum set! (I will try to post pics of that by this weekend on our family blog www.fieldbunch.blogspot.com) Maybe someone will buy me some earplugs for my birthday!

Greater Plans

We recieved this in an email today and it really touched my heart in our time of need.
"God had even greater plans for her. He sovereignly and lovingly chose to adopt her Himself, and now, you are right – she IS with Jesus."
We want to thank you all for the many thoughts and prayers they mean so much to us now.
God Bless,
Charley

Our Little Angel, Linh

On Friday, January 25th, we learned of a little girl named Linh. Linh was diagnosed with Hep. B and was therefor considered a special needs baby. Our family decided she needed a home and a family just as much as any other baby, so we began working with our agency to bring her home. We learned this morning that she passed away from Pnemonia at a hospital in Hanoi. Although we will never hold her in our arms, she will always hold a special place in our hearts.

A Year Ago Today

A YEAR AGO TODAY...

A year ago today, we began the journey of a lifetime. From day one, we truly believed that God set us on this path. As the journey continues, that belief is confirmed. We have met so many incredible people along the way who have become great friens. We have learned so much and grown in our faith as we face the ups and downs of this amazing journey. We know that each day we are closer to the little girl whom God has chosen to be part of our family and we long for the day that we will finally see her, hold her and share the rest of our lives with her.

23 Weeks DTV!

HOPE

TRUST

BELIEVE

*HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY*

Tet, The Year of the Rat/Mouse & 22 Weeks DTV!

Today is the start of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. Celebrations in Vietnam are in full swing as they begin the YEAR OF THE RAT/MOUSE! I look foward to celebrating Tet with our family next year. Samantha will be here and we will head to Dallas to experience a taste of the biggest celebration in Vietnamese culture! This year I will celebrate by.....hmmmm......maybe shopping???

Shopping Day With Charley!!!

I know you are all just on the edge of your seats, waiting to hear how my shopping trip with Charley went on Saturday. Although he may not admit it, I really think he had fun shopping for our little Samantha! First we went to breakfast and "talked adoption" while we ate. Then it was off to Babies R Us. We decided on an adorable stroller & infant carseat/carrier (love the polka dots!) We also picked up bottles, pacifiers and a few other baby necessities. Next was Costco (boring). Lastly, BABY GAP (I know, you're shocked!!!) To all of you who participated in my gift card shower, THANK YOU! I had so much fun shopping!!!

10 YEARS!!! & 21 Weeks DTV

Today is a very special day! Charley & I are celebrating our 10th year anniversary! We are going to dinner tonight at our favorite restaurant, Texas De Brazil. If you have never been to a Brazilian Steakhouse, you are missing out! THEN....Charley has agreed to go baby shopping this weekend. We will be shopping for a stroller/infant seat, bottles & a baby sling/carrier. I have already picked out the stroller/infant seat, but I would love to hear feedback on baby slings/carriers as I have no idea which one to buy. We are thinking about the Ergo or a Baby Bjorn. I'd love your thoughts and opinions!

I just had a knock on my door. A special delivery for me!!! What beautiful flowers from my amazing husband! I can't wait to see what the next ten years bring! I love you Bubbie! (That's his pet name, I never call him Charley!)

20 Weeks DTV

Today marks 20 weeks since our dossier went to Vietnam. Today I received an email from a friend with the picture of this stone. The email said "Hope - Trust, Believe." After speaking with our agecny, it sounds as though our referral could happen at any time. I'd like to think that means it will be very soon, but the reality is that it could still take another month or two. At this point, I choose to hope, trust & believe that this is all in God's hands and all in His perfect timing.

4 Things....

4 Jobs I've Had:
1. Commercial Sales at Builder's Square
2. Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Rep.
3. DirecTV (Complaint Department)
4. In Home Childcare Provider

4 Movies I Watch Over & Over:
1. Santa Claus (1, 2 & 3)
2. A Guy Thing
3. Any Disney Movie
4. My Best Friend's Wedding

4 Places I Have Lived:
1. New York (Long Island)
2. Oklahoma
3. Arizona
4. Texas

4 Shows I Watch:
1. Adoption Stories
2. Most Food Network Shows
3. College Football (Does that count?)
4. American Idol

4 Places I've Been:
1. England (Many times)
2. Mexico
3. All of the East Coast States
4. Soon I'll be able to say "VIETNAM"

4 People Who Email Me Regularly:
1. Lindsey
2. Jenna
3. Julie
4. Dana

4 Things I Love To Eat:
1. Mexican Food
2. Asian Food (Chinese, Japanese & some Vietnamese)
3. Salad
4. Cheesecake

4 Places I'd Rather Be:
1. In Vietnam bringing home Samantha!
2. On a hot, white, sandy beach
3. On vacation anywhere with Charley
4. SHOPPING!!! (for Samantha, ofcourse!)

4 Things I Look Foward To This Year:
1. Getting "THE CALL" from our agecny to tell us about Samantha
2. Traveling to Vietnam to meet Samantha
3. Bringing Samantha home to family
4. Being a complete family (or starting the adoption process for #6!!!)

4 People I'm Tagging:
1. Dana (www.thegiftofmaiafaith.blogspot.com)
2. Cheryl (www.oursophiarose.blogspot.com)
3. Kathy (www.kathyirwin.blogspot.com)
4. Megan (www.littlemissmya.blogspot.com)

All Good Things Must Come To An End.

Notice how skinny this pitiful little piggy bank looks? Well, that's about what our piggy bank is looking like, and this time Charley is putting his foot down. It's time to fatten up the piggy bank, which means NO MORE SHOPPING! So sad. But, on the brighter side, this is all for a good cause....getting Samantha home. We are hopeful that our referral is coming soon and things will start happening. I have to believe we are getting close!

19 Weeks DTV

Today it has been 19 weeks since our dossier left for Vietnam. Although I really have no idea when we will get "THE CALL" to tell us about Samantha, just lately I have felt that it won't be much longer. (I really hope I'm right!)

It looks like we will be traveling in the warmer weather, so I couldn't resist this swimsuit and matching sun hat.

100th Post & New Look!

Well, this is my 100th post on this blog! After seeing the crafty work of other people's blogs, I decided I would commemorate my 100th post with a new look! My great blog buddy, Jenna, did the make-over, THANKS JENNA, you're the best!

18 Weeks DTV & Spring Shopping Already!

Here we are....18 weeks DTV! Yesterday was an exciting day in "adoption land" a few families received referrals and I600 approvals. A BIG CONGRATS to all of those happy families! I hope things keep moving along and we see more referrals and approvals soon!

Well, although it is just the beginning of January, the stores are filled with adorable spring clothes already, even swimsuits! Now that I am pretty sure we will be traveling to Vietnam is the warm weather, I have started picking up a few spring outfits. I couldn't resist the funky flowers!

4 Months Today (17 1/2 Weeks) - Counting It All!!!

So, now I'm counting weeks AND months! Sometimes it seems as though time is flying by. Other days (like today) it seems we have been in this adoption process forever. Today marks exactly 4 months since our dossier went to Vietnam on September 7th. I really thought we would have our referral by now and be planning our trip to bring Samantha home. When we switched agencies, most families were getting their referrals around the 3 month mark. But in the world of international adoption, there are always bumps and curves in the road. We are hopeful that we will hear news soon, but it does seem that "soon" in my book and "soon" in the world of adoption hold two totally different meanings! We're hanging in there (retail therapy works wonders, but you'll have to wait til the 18 week post for the latest outfit as I don't think Charley would appreciate me commemorating any more milestones in that way!)

17 Weeks DTV & New PJ's!

OK...did you ever see a cuter cow or piggy than the one on these jammies??? Yes, Baby Gap sucked me in again!

So, here we are, another week down for the count! The latest update I got from our agency said she hopes it will be VERY soon! That's encouraging. It has always been soon, but never before has she said VERY soon!

Happy 2008!

Happy New Year to all!!! Well, 2007 was a good year. It is the year we began the journey to our daughter in Vietnam. I am a little sad that we didn't get to see her little face in 2007, but we know 2008 will be the year we will learn who she is, see her picture, travel to her country and finally hold her in our arms and be her forever family! So, CHEERS to 2008, it's going to be a great year!

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!)

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!

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!

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?

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.

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!!!

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!

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!!!

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!"

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)

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!

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!

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!!!

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!)

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!

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!)

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)

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!

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!

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)

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.

This Is My Mood Today

This face is a pretty accurate expression of my day.

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!