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.