Travel Approval

Words just can't describe how we are feeling right now...elated, excited, overjoyed, over the moon etc.!!!  We received news yesterday that our dossiers have been signed off on by the Department of Adoptions in Vietnam, and our paperwork has been sent to the orphanage.  This means that we can start to make our travel arrangements.  It's so hard to believe this day is finally here...it doesn't seem real yet!  I don't think it's really going to sink in until we get on the airplane.

We have been in touch with another couple travelling at the same time, to adopt a baby from the same orphanage where we are adopting from.  It's been wonderful to share this news together, to be able to help eachother and bounce ideas off of eachother too.  We are looking forward to meeting them in Vietnam, and hope to stay in touch for many years.  It will be nice for our children to have that special link together, having been at the same orphanage, at the same time.

Our older son is excited, but also a bit nervous.  He loves babies, but he says it's a little scary because "I've never had a baby brother before".  He has so many ideas of things he wants to do with him, teach him and share with him.  Hopefully, they will become fast friends.

We had hoped to have our flights booked by today, however, there is a time change between us and the travel agency.  The dates she picked for us were the original ones we sent her, not the ones we updated her with this morning.  So, that will have to be corrected, and hopefully we can finalize our plans tomorrow.  They are also taking care of preparing our visa's.

Now, with the animals/house taken care of, bags mostly packed, we are very close to being ready to travel.  Our list still has lots of items on it, but with the help of Dropbox, my husband and I can see/add to the list and also mark off things as they are accomplished.  We have the feeling that June and July are going to fly by, but we will try to slow down, breath, relax and enjoy as much as we can.

Update from Ontario - June 8, 2012

Well, we are really trying to be patient and let the process happen, but I caved and emailed the Ontario adoption agency this morning for an update.  Apparently, we are now waiting for Vietnam to sign off on our dossier (package of paperwork that we have prepared over the past couple of years).  This should happen soon, and the Director of the Ontario adoption agency is optimistic that we will travel by the end of June.  So this is good news.  We hope to have a travel date soon...it makes it so much easier to plan around an actual date!  Everyone has worked so hard to help us to make this happen and we are soooo very appreciative, and feel lucky to be working with a great team of individuals.  I also want to say a BIG thank you to all of you out there who have emailed us recently to lend your support, congratulations, and suggestions for when we travel.  It has helped us immensely to prepare for our upcoming trip. And, of course, to family and friends who continue to support us through this process, the ups, the downs and all the things in between.  I am so thankful for all of you :)

Article 17 Letter - June 4, 2012

Received the Article 17 letter today...woohoo!

Article 16 Letter - May 29, 2012

It's 5 o'clock in the morning and we are so excited to finally receive the email from Ontario that the Article 16 Letter is in from Vietnam...yaaaay!  We anticipate getting the Article 17 letter within a week.  That being the case, we could travel by the end of June.  Crossing fingers and sending out prayers that this will be the case!

New Pictures and Videos - April 21, 2012

Well, although we can't share these with you yet, we received new pictures and videos today of our soon to be son.  He is growing and looking handsome as ever.  We are all so excited.  Our older son is anxious and keeps asking when we can go and get his baby brother.  It has been 12 weeks now since proposal...but who is counting, LOL :)

Apparently, we are waiting for the Hague Article 16 Letter from Vietnam, which might be signed next week.

Vietnam requests our Acceptance Letter - March 21, 2012

Vietnam has requested our Vietnamese Acceptance Letter.  Apparently, this is a good sign that things are moving along!  8 weeks since proposal tomorrow!

Ministry Approval Letter - March 1, 2012

It's taken just shy of two weeks, however, we have our new Ministry Approval letter (after the recent glitch) and this has been sent on to Ontario and Vietnam.

It is almost 5 weeks since we accepted the proposal for this little boy.  We are so anxious to meet him and bring him home.  I have already been shopping and bought most of what I think we will need AND have started packing!!!  I know it's still early, but it helps to pass the time.