Hello everyone! I hope you've all had a good start to your week. We have had some nice, mild weather here in Indy today. Well, you're probably wondering why I'm sending another update so early in the week. Information was passed on to us today that I wanted to share with you all. The adoption community and family's adopting from Vietnam got some nerve racking news. The U.S. government issued a warning this afternoon, urging people not to file for adoptions from Vietnam (at this time) and that reads as follows:
http://www.travel.state.gov/family/adoption/intercountry/intercountry_3939.html
Of course, we were not completely shocked because we had heard some speculation surrounding this issue. We know that this could POTENTIALLY (but not definitely) negatively affect our adoption. Brandon and I are both concerned but we have faith that God is in control and His will, will be done...Wherever that may take us. We ask that our friends and family will PLEASE pray for the children of Vietnam, the families currently in process of adopting from Vietnam and for the officials responsible for initiating this very big decision.
Again, today we are reminded ever so much:
James 1-2:5
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Hugs to everyone! :)
Robin and Brandon
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tet- Vietnamese New Year
Hello, this week and the next few weeks to come will be fairly quiet (we believe) in regard to referrals of lil ones. It is now time for Tet- THE VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION!! During this time, everyone in Vietnam will be focused on this celebration and adoptions will likely slow down during this time period. I have cut & pasted an explanation (below) of Tet for those of you who are not familiar. This was a huge learning experience for Brandon and I as well. This is our first experience with Tet.
Tet, which means the first morning of the first day of the new year, is the Vietnamese New Year. The celebration lasts for 7 days. Like the Chinese, the Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays. Tet starts on February 12 in 2002. According to the Vietnamese Zodiac, 2001 is the Year of the Horse. Preparation for Tet starts weeks before New Year's Day. Homes are cleaned to get rid of bad fortune associated with the old year. Families paint their homes to give it a new look. Everyone gets new clothes and new shoes. Pay your debts and resolve differences between family and friends. A special ceremony called Le Tru Tich is held at the mid-night hour (Giao Thua) on New Year's Eve. The ritual involves firecrackers and gongs and other festive items that make loud noises to usher out the old and welcome the new. Like the Chinese, Vietnamese people are very careful about what they do on New Year's Day. The events on New Year's Day determine your luck for the rest of the year. Therefore, everything and everyone you are in touch with on New Year's Day should symbolize good fortune. Don't visit people who are in mourning because they are associated with death. Children should not fight or cry on New Year's Day. Homes are decorated with Hoa Mai, a yellow blossom that represents spring. Family members exchange gifts and pay homage to the Kitchen God. They also visit local temples to pray for prosperity and good health. During Tet, Vietnamese families plant a New Year's tree called Cay Neu in front of their homes. A bamboo pole is often used as a Cay Neu. All the leaves are removed from the tree so that it can be wrapped or decorated by good luck red paper. Legends have it that the red color scares off evil spirits. On the seventh (the last) day of Tet, the Cay Neu is taken down. This is the last ritual of the New Year celebration.
Last but not least a little story.... Brandon and I went out to dinner on Friday night and then went to a store where Brandon picked up the CUTEST shirt. My back was to him and he tapped me on the shoulder and held this PINK t-shirt up in front of my face that read, "I LOVE DAD!!- (HE BUYS ME THINGS) hehehe! We both got the biggest smiles on our face and I gave him a huge hug as he said, "We're getting this one!!" :))) This continues to be one of the most AMAZING journey's for both of us. We are learning daily about what it is to love & live in faith.
James 1:2-5
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Tet, which means the first morning of the first day of the new year, is the Vietnamese New Year. The celebration lasts for 7 days. Like the Chinese, the Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated holidays. Tet starts on February 12 in 2002. According to the Vietnamese Zodiac, 2001 is the Year of the Horse. Preparation for Tet starts weeks before New Year's Day. Homes are cleaned to get rid of bad fortune associated with the old year. Families paint their homes to give it a new look. Everyone gets new clothes and new shoes. Pay your debts and resolve differences between family and friends. A special ceremony called Le Tru Tich is held at the mid-night hour (Giao Thua) on New Year's Eve. The ritual involves firecrackers and gongs and other festive items that make loud noises to usher out the old and welcome the new. Like the Chinese, Vietnamese people are very careful about what they do on New Year's Day. The events on New Year's Day determine your luck for the rest of the year. Therefore, everything and everyone you are in touch with on New Year's Day should symbolize good fortune. Don't visit people who are in mourning because they are associated with death. Children should not fight or cry on New Year's Day. Homes are decorated with Hoa Mai, a yellow blossom that represents spring. Family members exchange gifts and pay homage to the Kitchen God. They also visit local temples to pray for prosperity and good health. During Tet, Vietnamese families plant a New Year's tree called Cay Neu in front of their homes. A bamboo pole is often used as a Cay Neu. All the leaves are removed from the tree so that it can be wrapped or decorated by good luck red paper. Legends have it that the red color scares off evil spirits. On the seventh (the last) day of Tet, the Cay Neu is taken down. This is the last ritual of the New Year celebration.
Last but not least a little story.... Brandon and I went out to dinner on Friday night and then went to a store where Brandon picked up the CUTEST shirt. My back was to him and he tapped me on the shoulder and held this PINK t-shirt up in front of my face that read, "I LOVE DAD!!- (HE BUYS ME THINGS) hehehe! We both got the biggest smiles on our face and I gave him a huge hug as he said, "We're getting this one!!" :))) This continues to be one of the most AMAZING journey's for both of us. We are learning daily about what it is to love & live in faith.
James 1:2-5
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
2 more referrals this week!!
Phewwww is it cold here this morning! It's a WHOLE 6 degrees here in lovely Brownsburg!! :) I'm about ready to venture out and visit Boomer at the barn. NOT before I put on 12 layers of clothing, of course. I can't even believe I'm going! The things we do for the ones we love ;-) I hope many of you are cozy and warm when reading this.
The FTIA families received some more GREAT news this week!! There were two more lil ones referred to adopting families!!!!! A baby boy and a baby girl!! We were able to see pictures of the baby girl, she is 7 months old and looked like she was well cared for. She is a beautiful, pudgy lil one :))) So with these two angels being referred to their families, there have been 7 this month!! This is just SO exciting for everyone involved!!! It really revs our engines in regard to helping us feel more "in the moment". We have gone through so many ranges of emotion but the most recent one we struggle with is, embracing our time line. The process is so long that it's hard to plan and we don't know exactly how old she will be when she comes home so it makes it challenging to plan.
I asked our coordinator with FTIA when she thought we would begin preparations for our dossier and she said, anything could change but she didn't foresee us working on our dossier until April 2009. That would indicate a potential referral about 2-4 months after that. So for all of our friends and family that are curious as to our time line, this will give you a better idea.
We received some additional news this Friday regarding the adoption process. Previously, when you received your referral, you traveled to your child about 1-2 months later. Now, based on new safeguards implemented by USCIS and the Vietnamese government, it's 3-5 months. That's a tough thing to conceive of! You have seen a picture of your child at that point but can't be united with her for 3-5 months. Another reason this is important is because it makes the age of the children coming home older. Previously, the lil ones being referred were 3-6 months and now they believe this new process will mean that most of the children coming home will be 9-12 months when the travel home.
So, that's about it for updates. It's been another great week!! :) As always, we ask that you please keep our lil girl in your prayers.
Much Love,
Robin & Brandon
The FTIA families received some more GREAT news this week!! There were two more lil ones referred to adopting families!!!!! A baby boy and a baby girl!! We were able to see pictures of the baby girl, she is 7 months old and looked like she was well cared for. She is a beautiful, pudgy lil one :))) So with these two angels being referred to their families, there have been 7 this month!! This is just SO exciting for everyone involved!!! It really revs our engines in regard to helping us feel more "in the moment". We have gone through so many ranges of emotion but the most recent one we struggle with is, embracing our time line. The process is so long that it's hard to plan and we don't know exactly how old she will be when she comes home so it makes it challenging to plan.
I asked our coordinator with FTIA when she thought we would begin preparations for our dossier and she said, anything could change but she didn't foresee us working on our dossier until April 2009. That would indicate a potential referral about 2-4 months after that. So for all of our friends and family that are curious as to our time line, this will give you a better idea.
We received some additional news this Friday regarding the adoption process. Previously, when you received your referral, you traveled to your child about 1-2 months later. Now, based on new safeguards implemented by USCIS and the Vietnamese government, it's 3-5 months. That's a tough thing to conceive of! You have seen a picture of your child at that point but can't be united with her for 3-5 months. Another reason this is important is because it makes the age of the children coming home older. Previously, the lil ones being referred were 3-6 months and now they believe this new process will mean that most of the children coming home will be 9-12 months when the travel home.
So, that's about it for updates. It's been another great week!! :) As always, we ask that you please keep our lil girl in your prayers.
Much Love,
Robin & Brandon
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Great News to start off 2008!
The news we've been waiting for since August 2007!!!
FABULOUS news hit us last Thursday (January 3rd) when we returned from our time away!! We opened our mail to find out that we had gotten our I-600 Pre-approval from USCIS!!!! WOOO-HOOOOO!!!! The very next morning 1/4, I called our agency to share the good news. They asked us to fax over the paperwork, we put our check in the mail and just like that, we were OFFICIALLY added to the waiting list for VIETNAM....Another step closer to bringing our angel home!!!! We could not be more excited than we are. The excitement honestly has not worn off since the 4th. We can hardly believe that we are on, "THE LIST"!!! So what do we do from here???? I bet you guessed it....We wait and wait. When we are about 3-6 months away from receiving a referral for our little girl, FTIA will ask us to start working on our dossier. This will be about 2-4 months of extensive work preparing our packet for the US government, Vietnam and FTIA. This process never ceases to amaze us but it doesn't change the excitement in our hearts for the day we meet our little girl. You may be wondering where we are on, "the list"...We are approx #78 overall and about #60-65 requesting a baby girl. What does this translate to??? Our agency placed approx 20-30 children this past year, so you can see how the math works out. But, it does appear that the process to adopt from Vietnam is getting more and more mainstreamed and with luck, will pick up.
As if the news of us being added to the wait list was not good enough, we got even better news!!! There were 4 referrals made on 1/2/08!!!! That was amazing!! THEN, there was another referral for a baby girl on 1/11/08...That is 5 so far this year!!!!! WOO-HOOO!!!! Along with that great news, the agency sent out an email to family's adopting saying there would likely be 2 more referrals before the month of January ends!!!! What an unbelievable way to start the year!!!! We're so excited and we'll be sure to keep you posted. I hope to be writing more frequently this year to keep everyone in the loop.
Love, hugs and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Robin & Brandon
FABULOUS news hit us last Thursday (January 3rd) when we returned from our time away!! We opened our mail to find out that we had gotten our I-600 Pre-approval from USCIS!!!! WOOO-HOOOOO!!!! The very next morning 1/4, I called our agency to share the good news. They asked us to fax over the paperwork, we put our check in the mail and just like that, we were OFFICIALLY added to the waiting list for VIETNAM....Another step closer to bringing our angel home!!!! We could not be more excited than we are. The excitement honestly has not worn off since the 4th. We can hardly believe that we are on, "THE LIST"!!! So what do we do from here???? I bet you guessed it....We wait and wait. When we are about 3-6 months away from receiving a referral for our little girl, FTIA will ask us to start working on our dossier. This will be about 2-4 months of extensive work preparing our packet for the US government, Vietnam and FTIA. This process never ceases to amaze us but it doesn't change the excitement in our hearts for the day we meet our little girl. You may be wondering where we are on, "the list"...We are approx #78 overall and about #60-65 requesting a baby girl. What does this translate to??? Our agency placed approx 20-30 children this past year, so you can see how the math works out. But, it does appear that the process to adopt from Vietnam is getting more and more mainstreamed and with luck, will pick up.
As if the news of us being added to the wait list was not good enough, we got even better news!!! There were 4 referrals made on 1/2/08!!!! That was amazing!! THEN, there was another referral for a baby girl on 1/11/08...That is 5 so far this year!!!!! WOO-HOOO!!!! Along with that great news, the agency sent out an email to family's adopting saying there would likely be 2 more referrals before the month of January ends!!!! What an unbelievable way to start the year!!!! We're so excited and we'll be sure to keep you posted. I hope to be writing more frequently this year to keep everyone in the loop.
Love, hugs and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Robin & Brandon
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