Movin on up (hopefully)

We hope to be moving up a few spots on the list next week. :) Our caseworker told me a week or so ago they are expecting 5 referrals after the 1st of the year. I hope they actually happen.

Josh is having the time of his life this weekend. My in-laws are visiting, and he is having a great time.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year's Eve. We do not plan on leaving the neighborhood. Neighbors usually shoot fireworks. Josh will enjoy that.

Merry Christmas

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope everyone has had a great day, I know we did.

Santa brought Josh a kid size guitar, b/c he absolutely loves any kind of music/instrument. He has already shown an aptitude to music (so our choir director friend has said). Anyway back to the guitar, he is totally nuts over it. It has even trumped Mickey Mouse clubhouse (huge). Mitch has been calling him a little Bob Dylan all day, b/c it has not touched the ground. He is as we speak taking a nap with it in the bed.

Big new happened with Josh on Saturday!!!!!!!!! (Time for a little background for those who do not know us ------- Josh was a micro preemie (1.5 lbs @ birth) ... developmental delays...r/o autism...blah blah blah) We went to a friends house for dinner and they have a 3 y/o also. She absolutely loves Josh. OK here is the big news. He actively played with her. Was initiating play. He had a look to total happiness on his face. It was like a light bulb went off and he realized wow there are other people in the room who want to play with me. We were so happy to see this. One of his problems much of the time, I think, is that he is painfully shy. It takes him a long time to warm up. As I said he has known this little girl for almost two years and it still took an hour for him to warm up and them to start playing. Enough about that. Just want to brag on our little man.

Tugging at the heart strings

Let me start by saying Mitch and I have always planned on (a bit later in life) to be foster parents. It is something I have always known I would do and married someone who feels the same way. I know without a doubt that adopting from Vietnam is what we are supposed to do right now. But watching the show put on by the Dave Thomas Foundation made me want to go sign up to be a foster parent right now and bring home 100 kiddos. I know that is not in the cards for right now but WOW.

We made the float!!!!!!!!!

Wow, 2 posts in one day. That may never happen again.

Mitch and I really want to ride in the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade this year. We have not ridden in several years (since we moved to TX) and wanted to get back on float this Mardi Gras. It is probably some of the best times I have ever had. It is also a huge ego boast. People really compliment you when they want the stuffed animal you are throwing from the float.

Well the planning meeting was about a week ago, and we were put on the waiting list. :( Did not tell hubbie that we were not for sure in, it would have stressed him out. He is stressed out enough with all the grading he has to do (grades were due today at the college).

I just received a call from my friend about the parade. We are officially on the float. I will post pics from the float. The parade is Feb 2. It is going to be so feakin' cold. I pray it does not rain.

Another USM graduate

I have stumbled across another Golden Eagle in adoption blog world. Small world. She is actually with our agency making our world even smaller.

I know it probably seems I went to LSU by being totally obnoxious with the postings. I grew up in the big BR but went to USM in Hattiesburg, MS. Mitch and I met at USM, but he finished BA at LSU and got an MA from LSU. Needless to say we are big LSU fans. Not much to cheer about USM these days. Brett Farve has been our superstar, and he graduated 17 years ago. I feel old.

Not much to report on the adoption front.

Mitch and I had another night out without Josh. I really did not know what to do. We went out with three other couples to Brennan's (a 4 or 5 star restaurant for those who do not know) and no we did not have to travel to New Orleans. There is one in Houston. We spent WAY TOO MUCH money and ate some amazing seafood and of course desert. Bananas Foster nuff said. One thing that has made me very sad since moving to Houston is that NO ONE here makes a good Bloody Mary. Guess what, Brennan's does. I'm glad I was not disappointed. Since Brennan's is a every couple of years restaurant, Mitch has promised me that he will do whatever it takes to get the top secret Bowden family recipe from Sid Jr at Mardi Gras. Jen you may want to warn him. No don't b/c I really want the recipe. Just reading over the post and I want it on the record that I am not a lush. :)

Surgery went well

Just an update --- my grandfather surgery went well today. :)

No referrals yet

I have been itching to call our caseworker about the supposed up coming referrals for December. No we would not be getting one of these but it would move us up on the list. Well no need, I just read on a blog of someone who uses our agency that they talked with him today and NO NEW NEWS! All I can do is wait.

Ok, I have to poke fun of my bff. (Sorry Jen) I have gotten a chuckle out of this conversation many times over the past few days. I was having a "hoopy hoo" moment (will explain in a bit)over the adoption -- wait time, if it will happen, etc. She begins telling me how she just knows things (sense things, intuition), and Claire will be with us b/c she know it will happen. Just as she knew as I was sitting next to her, that we (LSU) would beat Auburn. Those few of you out there reading that know Jennifer would know that she was dead serious. It made me laugh. Again, sorry Jen.

I am taking Josh to take pics with Santa Thursday. Hopefully, he will behave. We are going with a friend and her little one. Wish us luck.

I know it is almost too late to post this but my Paw Paw needs your prayer for in the morning. He is having stints put in his carotid arteries in the morning. Send prayers and good thoughts.

Hoopy Hoo--- We had a dog for many years, Pepper. She was a great dog but a whiner. When she would whine it sounded like "hoopy hoopy hoo." We now have hoopy hoo parties, tell hubbie to stop hoopy hooing. You get the picture. It is really a great way to describe the situation at hand.

GEAUX Tigers!

We are very excited in our house this week. As most people know LSU made it into the national championship game.:) A friend emailed me this poem this morning and I wanted to share it. The Author is unknown and here it is:


Twenty- four days before Christmas, in a state in the south,
Les Miles was pissed as he opened his mouth.
Miles to Michigan was reported as fact.
To which Miles responded, Herbie you don’t know jack!

The Tigers had suffered a gut wrenching loss,
At the hands of McFadden and the rest of the hogs.
And Bo in his sweatshirt, and Miles in his Hat
Were determined to prove they were better than that!

When the Tennessee Vols ran out on the field,
There was ruckus applause from the mentally ill
Still in the locker room, Les told his team,
This season ain’t over. We still have a dream.

The hurt throwing arm of QB Matt Flynn
Meant Ryan was the man they'd put their faith in.
Then the fans all heard, what Les said in the Dome.
I ain’t goin anywhere. I’m happy. I’m Home!

The fans were still thinking This might be a trick.
til someone pointed out Hey, this guy ain’t Nick!
The Hat took the field for this championship game,
And he brought all his Tigers, and called them by name;

Now, Hester! Now, Early! Now, Highsmith and Putt!
Let’s let er rip and shut these guys up!
Take to the field! And give it your all!
Then later we’ll watch numbers 1 & 2 fall.

The fans still weren’t sure as to what team would show,
The Virginia Tech game seemed like so long ago.
But there in the stands, the fans they did cheer,
As Perrilloux played his game of the year.

While out in Ar-Kansas, the hogs claimed the boot,
The tigers were focused on far better loot.
With the game knotted up, Ainge threw a quick out
But Zenon was ready and took six to the house.

He wore a LSU jacket, and a white turtle neck,
The same as he wore when his team beat La Tech.
With the hat on his head, and a childish grin,
Miles put his team in the title picture again.

His smile-how it widened! as Pitt won its game!
He cheered Oklahoma, when it did the same.
The stars were aligning, it couldn’t be true.
Turns out Miles WAS destined, to play O-S-U.

With a month to prepare and a month to heal up,
We’re all pretty sure which team will show up.
He ain’t going to Michigan, and we’re sure of that.
But Tressel and the Buckeyes should still Fear the Hat.

On December first, he called L-S-U home.
Then set up the Tigers, to play again in the Dome.
It soon will be legend, how Les started that day,
“Can’t talk now. . . . I’m busy. . . . [Y’all] have a GREAT
day!”


GEAUX TIGERS!

No New Info!

Wednesday was the VN adoption summit in DC. I emailed my case worker Wednesday and he hoped to have info by today. I did not hear anything today from him. Hopefully on Monday!

On a different note--------- Mitch and I have a date night tonight! :):):) Josh is staying the night at my mom's. We are going to see a movie. I have not been to the movies in about a year. Honestly, the best part of it will be the FULL nights sleep I will get. Josh has been coming into our room bet midnight and 3am every night since August. :(

WE ARE LOGGED IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The dossier was submitted in time.:) No new physicals need to be done. I think my case worker wanted to wring my neck as well as the facilitator in VN. He keep telling me that she assured him that it would be submitted in time. But as the 14th kept approaching, I bugged my case worker on a daily basis. I received an email yesterday that we were logged in in time.

Things may not be as bad as orginally thought

I received an update from our case worker today. He seems very positive that things will continue and move forward in VN. Granted that the MOU (an agreement between the two countries to proceed with adoption) is renewed. The countries have until 12/21/07 to submit their intent to continue adoptions. As of last week, the US has not taken any steps towards this. I really don't see why they would not extend it b/c both countries are working to address the issues of unethical adoptions over there. I don't see why new policy would be implemented if they were not planning on continuing. Just my take on things.

The roller coaster ride begins

Everyone who reads this needs to pray that Vietnam does not stop US adoptions. I emailed my agency this morning asking if I should be worried about these NOIDS being issued and if it is jeopardizing the program. My upbeat and generally laid back (no worries) case worker did not give me a breezy reply. He said how this new process could upset the VN officials b/c of the addition scrutiny it will probably bring. He feels we will know more in the next couple of months. He said that VN does a lot of adoption with other countries that will not put the pressure on them like the US, and it is up the whim of the VN gov't to continue or not. I do want to say I agree with what the US gov't is doing, but it will really devastate me if VN ends US adoptions. I just have to remember that God has the master plan for us and where we end up getting our next child. I still believe it will be in VN b/c from the beginning it has felt so right.

More buzzing in the adoption world

Let me start this post by saying that I get so annoyed with message boards. It is a great concept---- support and advise for those with things in common. About a year ago, I unsubscribed from the preemie group b/c it became so negative and judgemental. I am beginning to wonder if they all eventually end up like that. I belong to a Vietnam adoption group and surprise, surprise the banter has gotten pretty negative. I really don't read it as often as I used to.

The hot topic is something called a NOID (notice of intent to deny). Several families have been issued NOIDS for the babies Visas. The US consulate feels that theses babies paperwork has discrepancies. I really feel for these families stuck over there now with no hopes of coming home any time soon. I don't feel they set out to find an unethical agency. It is so hard to decide which agency to go with. We are happy with our agency but basically went with what strangers told us. We did not know anyone who has adopted from VN.

Now about unethical agencies out there. VN adoptions had been stopped b/c of corruption. Now that they are doing them again, it is really upsetting that agencies are up to their old dirty tricks. The NOIDS being issued lead one to believe this. I don't know what we would do if the process was suspended again. I would be heart broken. I whole heartedly believe Claire is in VN waiting for us. (Yes, I did just let the name slip. It will let me know who actually reads the blog.)

Spending time with our cousins

Nothing new with the adoption. Still waiting to hear when the dossier will be logged in with the IAD.




As to non-adoption news, Josh (as well as Mitch and I) had fun with the Smiths yesterday. The seven of us went to Dewberry Farms and the kiddos had a great time. I had to post this picture of Gabe pulling Josh w/ his feet propped up in the wagon. It so sums up Josh.

Those of you who know my husband will get a laugh out of this one. Mitch set the DVR to record the LSU/Alabama game. My thoughts were it was being recorded in case it began before we got home. NO, that was not the reason. Mitch would not watch the game until he knew LSU had won. In the event that they would have lost he would have deleted it w/o watching. He said the game stressed him out so much he could not enjoy watching it live. LSU won 41-34. So, my husband was up until 11:30pm watching a game that began at 4pm. Ok, Jennifer when you read this------- I think you have successfully taken my husband over to the dark side.

Happy Halloween

Josh (our 3 y/o) had a blast tonight at Halloween. Last year he could have cared less about Halloween. Tonight was a different story. Here's to the cutest pirate ever!

A change in the process in VN

The VN adoption message boards are a buzzing. The USCIS in VN has decided to change the process for our paperwork. The way it is currently done is that we really don't do anymore paperwork until we go over to VN. Well, there are some unscrupulous agencies out there and families were going over and not coming home with their kiddos. The children were not paper ready or at least that is how I understand it. Anyway, they are having us process the paperwork here before we set a travel date. What this means for me (again as I understand it)is that one interview we have in country will be eliminated. I am hoping that this will in turn shorten our stay in VN. I just feel bad for the families traveling next month. The new process will take about 60 days to process. Looks like they will have to delay their travel.

Dossier in Hanoi, VN

According to FedEx tracking, the dossier is currently being delivered in Hanoi, VN.:):) Let's just keep praying that the translation is done before Nov 14th.

Non adoption related topic----- Mitch and I went to BR this weekend for the LSU vs Auburn game. We had a great time but we are very tired! It was great to visit home. LSU squeaked out a win in literally the last second. All 92k (minus Auburn fans) went crazy. I bit off all of my nails with anxiety. I know it is ridiculous but call it the heat of the moment.

Dossier making it around the world

I have been following our dossier around the world. As of the this afternoon, Fed Ex says our dossier has left the Philippines. Guessing it will get to Vietnam tonight.

Dossier now with Fed Ex

I brought the final paperwork to LNI this afternoon. I saw Jason, my case worker, put it all in the FedEx envelope, seal it up and now have the tracking number. He said that it takes about 4 days to get to Vietnam and will be in translation for a couple of weeks. So everyone continue to pray that it is logged in with the VN gov't before Nov 14th. I have a document that turns 6 months old on that day. I asked Jason about how long are we looking at for a referral???? LNI has just received licensing in another providence. We have to see how fast referrals are coming from that orphanage. The Nam Dinh orphanage has not given any new referrals in a bit b/c the director was angry at some US official. The director said that he would no longer give referrals to US agencies. Jason said the LNI rep over there said the director is no longer angry and will resume giving referrals. Only time will tell. HAVE TO LOVE INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dossier complete almost

Well, my agency has 99.9% of my dossier. Apparently, the in country representative wants us to sign an application that is written in Vietnamese. I think I am the first person to do this. My social worker was not exactly sure why they want us to do this. Anyway, I bring that form signed to them tomorrow. Thank goodness I have an appointment in The Woodlands (the area where our agency is). If not it is about an hour drive from my house. After I bring the last page, our dossier is off to Vietnam tomorrow afternoon.:):)

Nursery/Dossier

Here are some pictures from the nursery. We had to include them as part of the dossier. This is just the bones of the room. I will continue to decorate over the next couple of months. I will post updated pics when it is complete.

Paperwork arrived from the VN Consulate and copies have been made. I will hand deliver it to LNI on Monday morning.

Paperwork is on the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just checked my fedex account and the tracking shows ALL of our paperwork from SF is in transit. I should have it by tomorrow afternoon and bring the dossier to LNI Monday. We will soon be done with our part and the real waiting begins.

Last bit of paperwork is in San Fransico

FINALLY! After much drama with the notarized passports and getting to the point of wanting to drive to Austin to pick up the documents. Using Fedex tracking, the last package was delivered to the Vietnam Consulate this morning. I am hoping to have it back by early next week and bring our dossier to the agency. Everything is done and just waiting for the paperwork to come back.

BIG NEWS TODAY

We received our approval from immigration today (I171H)!!!!!!!!!!!! This is huge. I will get it notarized tomorrow and off to Austin tomorrow afternoon. So in theory we could have our dossier turned in for translation by mid-October. That is what I am shooting for.

Wow that was fast!

I did not post this but a week ago Monday I sent about 3/4 of our paperwork to the Vietnamese consulate in San Francisco for authentication. We received it back today.:) So I am now waiting on our form from USCIS (immigration)to send the few remaining documents to Austin and then to SF. We are hoping to submit our dossier in early November. Wish us luck with that b/c our six months for the paperwork is up mid-November.

Fingerprints - check

Today Mitch and I went to INS for our FBI fingerprints. :)

FBI Fingerprints

We received the FBI Fingerprint appointment today in the mail :). Also received paperwork back from Austin yesterday. Can't complain much b/c things are moving forward.

Things are slow but moving

I am sending all of the paperwork I have ready to Austin on Monday. There the paperwork will be verified/authenticated by the Sec of State. I still have to send our passport information and them immigration information when it comes back. Still no appointment for the FBI fingerprinting. Hoping it is done this month b/c don't want to take off of work my first month there. I do plan on painting the baby's room this week. Part of the dossier is to include pictures of the nursery. I won't have it all together but at least it can be painted.

Home study sent to USCIS

I mailed the approved home study USCIS this morning. Another thing to check off of my list. So next, waiting to get our program packet and fingerprint appointment. YEAH.

The article in the Chronicle

Well the link to the article in the Houston Chronicle does not work any longer. But the agency sent me a link to the article on Mrs. Erichsen's website. So here it is http://erichsenbooks.com/News/News.htm. The picture was better than I was expecting. Just scroll down a bit to see the article.

A friend of mine is in Guatemala right now visiting her daughter, Coryn. Her blog, Fly Home Ladybug, is linked to the right if anyone wants a peek at her. I am not sure when they are coming home permanently with Coryn.

Approved Homestudy

I received a copy of the approved home study from the social worker yesterday. I now wait to receive the notarized copies from the agency. I will then send it to USCIS and then we get fingerprinted by the FBI. We are one step closer.

Surfing the Web

No new adoption news. I have been surfing the web. I have really become addicted to the other Vietnam adoption blogs. It seems that a lot of the parents from another agency blog their experience. It really allows me to catch a glimpse of what it will be like in Vietnam. So while reading these blogs, I have come across some cool web sites. I have copied some of them if anyone cares to visit.

Not much to report

We have not received the draft of the home study yet to review. So just waiting. Unrelated to adoption, Mitch's parents have been in town visiting from Mississippi. Josh has been eating it up. They leave today, and I am must say it has been a nice visit.

Photo Session

Today was my modeling debut for the Chronicle. It was pretty funny. I had trouble not laughing during the entire thing. The photographer had the social worker and myself "act natural looking over paperwork." So yes, it was candid shots of us acting busy. Can't wait to see it. So, we are waiting for the approved homestudy to come back to send it to USCIS. I asked about the waiting list for Vietnam right now. I love the fact that our agency is not huge and just getting back into Vietnam, b/c there are only 10 people with dossiers ready. I have read other blogs with a waiting list of 150+. I feel we have found an agency that will allow us to travel early next year.

Photo Op

I received an unusual phone call today from the owner of LNI adoption agency. For those who know me, you will get a kick out of this. For those who do not know me, I DO NOT like any unnecessary attention on me. The Houston Chronicle is doing an article on them, and they wanted to interview and photo some families new to the adoption process. So, I said I would do it. It should be a nice thing to put in the baby's scrapbook.

Home Study

Our home study was this morning. Our social worker said we should have it back in a couple of weeks. Guess it went well. She told us we could start decorating the nursery. So now we finish getting together the information for our dossier. The great thing about our situation is the agency we are with does not have a long waiting list for referrals for Vietnam. So hopefully we can travel early next year.

Josh can't catch a break

Josh is finally gotten over the Hand Foot and Mouth and feeling back to normal. Feeling better last night before bed, he was running around the den like a mad man. He tripped over a toy and hit his mouth on the coffee table. Needless to say, Mitch and I took him to the ER. Joshua received his first stitch last night. So today he has a swollen lip, and we go back to the doctor in a week to get it removed.

As far adoption news, we received our state clearance a few days ago. We also have our home study on Saturday. Very excited about that. How great is the timing of Joshua's swollen lip. As the social worker meets Joshua, we can say "We promise we are good parents!"

One sick kiddo

Not much to report on the adoption front this week. Just sent all of our paperwork for the home study to the social worker today. We still have the home study set up for this coming up Saturday (June 2). This weekend we are getting the house ready. We have had quite a week with Joshua. He is so sick. The doctor thinks it is Hand, Foot and Mouth. Needless to say, he has had a very high fever all week. I think he finally shook the fever last night but still feels pretty bad. So say prayers for my sanity. Will post next week after the home study.

The timeline to this point

Just to give an idea of when we started and what we have done so far.....
1. Submitted our application to the agency on March 26, 2007
2. Mailed our I-600A to CIS on April 30, 2007
3. Passport application (Christy) May 1, 2007
4. Mailed in State of Texas background check May 7, 2007
5. Home study scheduled for June 2, 2007

The beginning of our journey to bringing home our daughter

I am writing this blog for our friends and family to read now and for our daughter to read in the future. Let me introduce myself for anyone new who may read this blog. My name is Christy and I live in Houston, TX. My husband, Mitchell, and I have always had adoption in the big picture of our family. We went into this with no specific direction to go in. We have decided to adopt from Vietnam after giving it a lot of thought and prayers. We are very excited and working on getting big brother, Joshua, on board. He is three and still does not like Mommy paying much attention to another child. Wish us luck on our journey.