About six months ago we did all our paperwork to adopt Mia.  All that paperwork had to be notarized, certified by the State of Ohio, certified by the Vietnam Consulate in San Francisco, send back to our adoption agency, and then sent on to Vietnam.  One of the documents was certified attached to another document.  We had asked at the time if that was going to be a problem and we were assured that it would not.  We questioned this because we had time to fix it, but again they told us it was fine.

Yesterday they told us it was not fine and that document had to be redone.  This was very frustrating news to say the least.  Kelly was able to get a new document yesterday, but again it has to go to the State of Ohio, Vietnam Consulate, etc.  So, the process has just been delayed.

I can’t imagine the process at this point taking less than 3 – 4 weeks.  But, we are praying that it goes quicker than that.  It is so difficult to be this close to the end and have road blocks like this pop up.  But, we sure love that little Mia and are willing to jump through whatever hoops are necessary to get her home.

As always, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and concern.

Cameron

Unfortunately, it isn’t positive.  We were told earlier in the month to expect to go to Vietnam late July, early August.  Today, they called to tell use that there was a little problem with the paperwork and they were trying to work through it.  This was NOT well received, especially since Kelly had talked to them about this exact paperwork months ago and had been assured that everything was fine.

So, we really don’t know the status right now.  It is a day-by-day thing.  Very frustrating, but in the end, when we are holding Mia (well … at this rate she will be driving), it will all be worth it.  There really isn’t anything we can do but hang on and keep pushing the agency to get things together.

Keep praying for our continued process.  Thank you for all your interest and support.

Cameron

It has been a week and just wanted to let you know that pretty much nothing has happened!  The people that are ahead of us and that are in Vietnam right now, the Fordham’s, have hit an impasse.  Their Giving and Receiving Ceremony (where Vietnam recognizes you as the rightful parents) was pushed off five days as soon as they got there.  Now they are waiting for their INS interview, but they have been waiting three days and have heard nothing.  They are, to say the least, very frustrated.  Please pray for them that they can progress through the adoption process and get home to their two boys quickly.

I will update you on anything new that we hear!  Have a great weekend.

Cameron

Kelly and I had the opportunity tonight to visit with a mother and her son that are from Vietnam.  The son is an exchange student in high school in Dayton and his mother was visiting from Vietnam and they had dinner at the house of some peopel that we know.  Because of the adoption, they invited us over to meet them.

Let me begin by saying that the Vietnam people are SO nice.  This mother, who didn’t speak much (if any) English was so warm and friendly to us.  Not only did she welcome us to Vietnam, but she wants us to stay in her home.  Her son, while only 16 or so, spoke wonderful English and was very engaging.  They were both so supportive of our trip to get Mia and offered whatever help we need while over there.

God has really put a lot of people in our path to help with this trip.  This wonderful lady this evening is now the second person we have met who lives in Ho Chi Mien City and both have offered to help us out and take us around.  While it seems like Vietnam is so very far away, I’m so thankful that we have met people who will make our time there much easier.

Cameron

OK … so I know I’ve posted twice in one day and that is pretty darn impressive.  However, we just got pictures of Mia and I thought I would put a couple of them up.  These are from July 7th, so they are not very old.

Cameron

As many of you know, it takes a lot of paperwork and effort to get your dossier together to go to Vietnam.  Then, you sit and wait … and sit and wait … and sit and wait a little more.  We received this e-mail from our contact person at the adoption agency outlining the path that all of our information takes once it gets to Vietnam.  I thought it was interesting and am passing it on:

The
DIA had sent the 2^nd letter to PDJ, approving the match of Mia
with your family. The longest step was next. This involved an investigation by
the local police, the police in the province where birth mom resides, local
social services authorities and the PDJ. Then she had a medical exam and a
report was completed.  Then Mia’s dossier was “Certified” in the province by PDJ
and Provincial People’s Committee (PPC).  Once her documents had been certified
by all local agencies, a copy of the dossier was sent to the DIA stating that
the process for the child was complete. 

You are
next for travel because Mia’s investigations are complete.  As you
know, you now await the 3rd letter from DIA.
Once the DIA has
received her dossier and the 2nd letter from PDJ, the DIA reviews these
documents and sends a letter back to PDJ confirming the completion for both the
family and the child’s documents. They will instruct Provincial People’s
Committee (PPC) to prepare and sign the Adoption Decree.  Once the Adoption
Decree is signed, PPC will tell PDJ, who will inform us that you can travel
to attend the G&R.

As you can see, a lot transpires after you get all the work done of getting your paperwork together.  Now, however, we are down to the last signature and it seems like life is moving very slowly!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Cameron

We spent this weekend shopping for presents to give to various dignitaries and helpers in Vietnam while we are there.  One of the stiputaltions was that they preferred things made in the USA and not things made in China.  Do you have any idea how hard that is?  Kelly went shopping on Saturday during the day and then the two of us went out that evening.  Beyond getting dessert from the Cheescake Factory (which, I might add, makes the night totally worth it … I did split a piece of cheescake with Kelly, though.  And no fish tacos.  Why even bother if you are not getting the fish taco’s AND the cheesecake???) we came up with nothing.  You know what?  We don’t make ANYTHING in this country any more.  That is kind of sad.

Anyway, we had some other thoughts so I think we have the gift thing close to wrapped up. 

Have a great week!

Cameron