Woo-hoo, a new pic! Kim made it home safely with Isaac, who was living at the same orphanage--they are doing great! She brought back a new picture for us to stare at...she delivered to Sam a little photo album with our pictures, so he can start getting used to our faces--and boy, do our faces need getting used to! ha

Kim's mom, Kay, told us that later that day, another little boy tried to take the photo album away from Sam and he held onto it tightly! We're so happy a friend of ours has loved on Sam and gotten to meet him. Hopefully, we'll be there soon to bring him home.

Lucky 7--and the Nutcracker!

Hooray! We got word from Jynger that we are on Step 7! In adoption-speak, that means the Dept. of International in Hanoi, the local justice department in Sam's province (Ninh Thuan), and the orphanage have all communicated with each other and agreed that Sam is available and ready to be adopted. It's wonderful news to know the process is churning along, however painfully slow it feels to us! We'll get updates on the next steps individually (there are 12), and sprinkled in that process, we'll apply for our travel visas, get some shots and start packing!

On THIS side of the ocean, we're enjoying the Christmas season--there's nothing better than having a 5 year old discover the joy of the Nutcracker! She picked out the most sparkly, handsome Nutcracker to bring home from the ballet and tucked him into bed with her that night. He later found his way to the bedside table, because, well, he's kinda hard to cuddle. But Zoe loved the show and the dressing up part. It was a fun day.

No magic 7.....

Bummer. We had hoped to hear an update today from the Dillon staff in Vietnam announcing we were at Step 7 in the "12 step" paperwork process. Turns out, we're still in that nebulous void of "Steps 2-6", which means they haven't started preparing Sam's dossier yet. Which also means our January travel plans are looking a bit too optimistic. Which means I'm very grumpy tonight. Sigh.

NOW something will happen!

Well, we've decided our troubles are over. We have been trying to work through some of these adoption paperwork hurdles the conventional way, but it's been a little frustrating. Our adoption agency in Tulsa has suffered a brutal ice storm and has been without power (therefore no communication) all week. Zoe, however, has gone straight to the top. She talked with SANTA and told HIM that she wanted Baby Sam for Christmas. There, see? Problem solved. Now, granted, it was added to her list after the McDonald's play drive-thru cash register, but still, he made the top two!

Also, on a happy note, our friend Kim made it safely to Vietnam and has likely met her little Isaac already today! Sadly, her luggage has taken a detour, but hopefully that has been resolved. I hope she's gotten a glimpse of Sam, too!

Waiting on some good news...

No word yet on our I-600 approval. Last we heard, the Consulate in Vietnam requested some additional paperwork, but didn't tell us what it was, just told us to "send the missing document ASAP." Agggh! It didn't tell us what that was, nor did they respond to our requests for clarification. Our agency has intervened for us to try and help, but apparently the Consultate is a bit understaffed and overwhelmed. So we wait. And hope. and wait some more.

On a happy note, several adoptive parents just got word of their G & R (giving and receiving) date. That is the official ceremony after you have traveled and met your child, when you and your adopted child are "official". It also means "get your bags packed", because you leave for Vietnam right away--like next week! These parents are all on pins and needles too, because they haven't received their I-600 approvals either, and if they don't get it in the next couple of days, they don't get to travel, and have to reschedule their G&R. Lots of anxiety for these folks. I hope they hear something soon. From a somewhat self-serving perspective, it's also a time when I can send Sam our photo album to start getting used to our faces, and the parents that are there can take some updated pics of Sam for us! Thanks, Kim!

The JCICS meeting in D.C. was overall a positive one, according to reports. I believe the general attitude is that there will be a continued working relationship between the two countries for the benefit of orphans there. The meeting focused on improving /standardizing certain ethical guidelines and fees for the adoption process from Vietnam. We all have anxiety regarding our own particular situation, but certainly applaud the efforts to keep the well-being of the children as the highest priority.

Well, certainly I'll keep things posted. I'm hoping for some good news soon, Sam.

a couple of pics...

Two bits of info...again, as with the last post, one is good, one is not so good. The good part is the pics that a fellow adoptive parent sent us of Sam. She took these pics when she went to pick up her little boy. She remembered Sam--she said he was very sweet, and he let her hold him and apparently enjoyed eating Smarties. And from this picture, he apparently likes lollipops, too. We enjoy getting to see little glimpses of our guy.

The more worrisome news is the unrest in the Vietnam adoption process. Apparently there have been some questionable adoption procedures in two provinces in northern Vietnam. (not our agency--Dillon, Int'l has an impeccable reputation). In any case, it has called into question continuing an adoption agreement that Vietnam and the US have established. This agreement is due to expire in June unless they decide quite soon to continue it. Needless to say, we are desperately hoping it won't affect our travel to get Sam. In greater scope, we hope it won't affect the valid, legitimate adoption processes that are currently in place to give orphans a loving home.

There's a meeting Nov 28 in D.C. to hash out these issues, and we'll keep you informed. Thanks for your continued prayers.

New pictures today!

Look at our little guy! Isn't he a cutie?! He is looking a little happier in one picture! These were taken by Jynger from our adoption agency when she visited the orphanage last week. Thanks, Jynger! On a sadder note (in terms of our timeline), we also got word that Vietnam has decided to change one of the forms/filing processes and we may be slower getting to travel and bring him home. Hang in there, Sam, we're trying to get there....

Now what?

So now we know where he lives, and we've signed the paperwork to say, yes, that's SAM! I wish we could just jump on a plane tomorrow and pick him up, but it's another paperwork maze for the next three months. Those of us in this process call it "the 12 step program". It's a 12 step ping-pong of interactions between Hanoi, Ninh Thuan (the province that Sam's orphanage resides), and his orphanage. We won't be updated on each of those 12 steps, but around step 7 we'll be notified. Hopefully, somewhere in there we'll get some updates on Sam and his health/growth (and hopefully some pictures!)
We have lots to do in that time getting ready for him, and lots of homework (some required and helpful reading and courses to get us up to speed on what to expect when he comes home!) We'll actually get about a 2 week heads-up before we travel, and anticipate being there for 2-3 weeks. We anticipate January-ish.
As the updates/info come in, I'll share. Thanks for all the support and kind words on this exciting journey to Zoe's little brother!

Here's Sam! We got a phonecall yesterday with our referral of this precious little boy. We're so excited. He'll be 2 in January and we hope we'll get him home around then. Welcome to our hearts, little guy!

As we progress through the adoption journey, one of the interesting and helpful tools we've discovered through visiting with others on this crazy ride is the blog. I was (am) blog-illiterate, and I agree that it is a little self-involved, but I realize it is a terrific way to help keep our friends and loved ones who are interested updated on the process. The timeline of the international adoption journey is a complex, paperwork-filled maze, and this will give us a place to help explain it. Welcome, to our family and friends! Project Sam is well underway!