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.