Thursday, March 20, 2008

Happy 5 years to us!!



March 15 Hank and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. We woke up and looked at each other and we both thought...."wow 5 years"! We had a wonderful day of shopping at Lowe's, talking about the future and just hanging out with each other. Before our dinner (at Pho Grand) we exchanged gifts. I received another piece of Armatel (completed the set) and BARRY MANILOW TICKETS!!!! Hank and I are both big fans and for him to come to St. Louis was more than I could handle. Well Hank, being the best husband ever, managed to scoop up a pair and we are going! As for Hank he received a photo book I had made for him. The book was bounded and filled with pictures of the past 8 years together. Tears came to his eyes and I knew he loved it.
As we look back on the 5 years of marriage we can honestly say we have been through a lot in 5 years. But I believe those situations have only brought us closer and made our hearts a little bigger. I told Hank on our first date that I was going to marry him! And here we are 5 years and going strong. I can only hope the next 5 years bring more stories, more laughs and more comforting and most important.....A BABY! We are ready, the baby is the missing piece to our puzzle.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Playing The Waiting Game

This adoption it is a true test of patience for both of us. From time to time it becomes harder than anything else we have experienced. The days squeak by. To put this in perspective for those who have never adopted, think of a time in your life when you waited anxiously for an event to occur. Now, remember the day before it happened? How long that day was? Multiply that feeling by 200 or more. That is how it feels. Today is day 212 since beginning this journey. We knew it would be a long one but even though the expectation was set, it does not make things any easier. With the future of the MOU in question, time is critical for us and other PAPs (prospective adoptive parents). What will happen? Nobody knows. It is our hope that the Vietnamese government will allow those with dossiers in country to continue down the path and complete the ultimate blessing of having a child of our own. But that is not 100%. Some sources have stated that those PAPs who have a referral prior to 9/1/08 will be allowed to complete their process, and those without will have to stop until (if and when) a new agreement is ironed out. To clarify, it is NOT the United States that has to have this agreement. It is the VN government. So for now, as we move into Spring, and the days advance toward the looming deadline, the wait seems to increase, anxiety increases and the thought of the future becomes less and less clear. While we remain positive that in the end this will work out for us, there are still feelings of uncertainty. Unlike other families that are working with Holt, we do not have the option of going down the road of a "fall-back" country if God forbid, VN closes its doors for adoption. Health requirements from other countries are very strict. Some PAPs are in the same boat as use. Not as major as a cancer history but something like diabetes prevents them from looking at other countries. So, what is next? When will we know firmly if we get to move forward? I think Holt is looking out for their families, thus the urgency to get our dossier in FIRST and as quickly as possible. It is my belief that there will be a change in the "line" for referrals now too, towards our advantage. I believe that the agency will next take the those with dossiers in process and place them in line for referral based off of the order their dossiers were received. It would seem to be the only logical way in my mind. To make this a tad clearer, lets say we were #36 for referral BEFORE the dossier process changed. We were told to send in our dossier NOW versus waiting for a referral THEN doing the dossier. With the way it is now, what happens if a PAP who was in front of us before the process change took longer to compile their dossier materials, say 1-2 months as opposed to us taking 1 week. Should that delay our referral? I would tend to think not. So after all is said and done I have a feeling we will be in a good spot to have a referral by 9/1/08. Of course all speculation.

~Hank

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Welcome Olivia Ann Walker

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We would like to give a special welcome to baby Judy-- who now has an official name-- Olivia Ann Walker. Olivia is almost 3 weeks old and we are so glad she is finally here! Mike and Ann are very dear friends of ours and we can not wait to raise our babies together. Mike and Ann are featured on our website if you scroll down to some earlier posts. They have been great friends through the years and have walked beside us through the adoption. So welcome Olivia and congrats Mike and Ann! She is truly a blessing!

~Tricia

Monday, March 10, 2008

DOSSIER TO VIETNAM

Our Dossier is headed to Vietnam today, or DTV which is the term adoptive parents in the program use for it! Michelle e-mail us just a few minutes ago. It will go to the Holt offices in Vietnam to be translated. That process should take around 2-3 weeks. Once complete it will be sent to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in Hanoi for their review and approval. Good progress. Like to see things moving well.
In regards to the MOU renewal etc. Little, if any credible or factual information has be made public. Many people on certain websites claim they have been given information, but fail to cite sources. I will provide updates in the coming days.
~Hank

Monday, March 3, 2008

Tricia's Maternity Wear


Ok, well most of the family knows way too well that Tricia is a shopper and a fashionista. Hip clothes and what not are her thing. My oldest sister, Diehnee sent part of T's birthday present today (Trish's 30th is April 1st). I guess we can classify this as a "maternity" shirt. I guess with all the clothes that Trish is NOT able to buy for maternity wear, she will make up more than double with baby clothes. Thanks D....appreciate it!

~Hank