A Sweet Escape

Oh...my head almost hurts from pondering the adoption and all the steps still ahead (mainly the DNA testing and ID requirement). I've decided I need to get out of my head a little bit and breathe...I call it the need for a "sweet escape." Don't get me wrong. Europe will be a big, sweet escape but it will be a busy, wonderful time...and by then, we should have our email acknowledgement and will KNOW what we're facing with the DNA stuff (right now, we don't know if the birth mother has the proper ID or not). In the meantime, I'm thinking A LOT about getting that acknowledgement and having to do the DNA test. So, Brad and I are hoping to make a quick trip to Eureka Springs tomorrow afternoon/evening. Just being down there will help me relax. I love that place. It's so cool with all the little shops and Ermilio's, one of our favorite restaurants. On the positive side, another PAP (Prospective Adoptive Parent) emailed me to say that even with all the madness, we've only got 8-12 more weeks of "couples only" time before we travel. If all goes well (and oh, we pray it does), she's right! That's almost hard to believe!!! Thank you for your continued prayers, especially for the US people processing our paperwork and for the birth mother.

DNA Memo

The US government finally put out an official release yesterday about the DNA requirement. From reading the memo, it appears we will have to have the testing done. I'm going to call our case manager today and see if we can find out NOW if our baby's birth mother has that ID card that's going to be required before she can do the test. If we can get that issue resolved, it appears the tests are moving right along. My hope all along has been that the DNA test would actually speed up the process of bringing Zeke home. That is still my prayer.

We have not received our confirmation email yet from the Embassy. It's not surprising that it didn't come this week and I expect to get it sometime next week.

It's cold!

Yes, it's nearly June and it's warm outside but it's FREEZING in our office. Brrr. They tell me the "steam" will be back on later this week but in the meantime, we huddle in the studios in coats. Not fun.

The reality of my upcoming trip is setting in. Two weeks from Saturday is when I leave! YAY!

I'm really hopeful that we get our confirmation email from the Embassy this week or next week at the latest. Will keep you posted on that.

Waiting...

So, here we are. We're waiting for the US folks in Vietnam to send us an email confirming they got our I-600 and other docs. We can't officially start counting until we get that email. So, it's like the wait before the wait.

And even after that confirmation email, we'll be waiting to hear whether our baby and his birth mother will have to do the DNA test. At this point, we just don't know. I'm preparing my heart for the very real possibility that they will.

Further complicating the DNA test requirement is this: The US has now decided that coming in for the test isn't good enough. The birth mother has to also produce a specific kind of identification, something that many people in Vietnam don't have. So, the DNA test becomes a bit more complicated when you consider the ID requirement. I'm grateful to know from others that our agency is working very hard on resolving this issue...but what other hoops/hurdles will the US create for families trying to bring home children who have spent the first months of their lives in orphanages? I'm beyond getting upset about all this. It is what it is and we'll do whatever we have to do to bring this baby home. Please just pray for us and the other families who are waiting as we try to navigate these murky waters. And pray for the birth families who are being asked to do all these things. And of course, pray for the children who continue on in the orphanage, waiting for their forever family to come get them...

Ants. Why did it have to be ants?

If you've seen the new Indiana Jones movie, you know what I'm talking about! We went to see it Friday night and had a fun time. It's not as good as the first three (did anyone expect it to be?) but it's still a good popcorn film. I enjoyed it a lot. In fact, we're going to the drive-in tonight to see it again!

Last night, we watched Notes on a Scandal on DVD, a quality British drama in which Dame Judi Dench proves why some old women are CREEPY.

Finally, a bit of a primer on what happens next with the adoption. The next thing is getting an email confirmation from the US folks in Vietnam, confirming they have our paperwork. Then, they're supposed to process our case in 60 business days or less. We hope and pray that it's less! We're waiting for the US to issue us an approval. Once that happens, we can travel! We should find out fairly quickly if we will have to have the birth mother and baby do a DNA test. There's a group of families going through the testing process now and they are the first group with our agency to do it so we're obviously watching very closely and wish them all the best as they get the test done. It's everyone's prayer that once the DNA tests are done, approval (and travel) will come quickly!

In the next couple of weeks, we will get copies of the documents Vietnam prepared for our I-600. This includes the first photo taken of our precious Zeke when he entered the orphanage and a photo of his birth mother. Obviously, we are very eager to get this information to help us better understand our baby's life story. In the meantime, I've printed off the travel guide from our agency and started pouring through it. When I get back from Europe, I'll need to find a pediatrician for our baby so we won't have that to worry about when we get home with Zeke. We still have lots of baby items to buy. We re-registered at Target. (Our first registry expired...we put expected arrival date as January 20 but obviously, that didn't pan out...so our new one has Zeke's actual birthday!) So, lots of exciting things going on!...Oh yes, and I leave for Europe in less than 3 weeks!!!

Earthquake and Cyclone

We haven't yet blogged about the devestating earthquake in China but that doesn't mean our hearts haven't felt deeply moved for the victims. They've been in our thoughts and prayers since it happened. If you're interested in helping with the recovery effort, our China adoption agency recommends contributing through Half the Sky. Our hearts also break for the people of Myanmar who have been impacted by the cyclone. How awful that militants have blocked aid workers and supplies from getting into the country. We pray for these people as well...

Christian Singer's Daughter Killed in Accident

Steven Curtis Chapman has three daughters who were adopted from China as well as biological children. He and his family are huge advocates of international adoption. There was news this morning of this. We are praying for this family during this very difficult time...can't even imagine what they're going through...

So much peace and anticipation

Well, here we are. Waiting now for the USCIS folks to email us and say they received our paperwork. That probably won't happen until the first week of June. Then, we officially start counting the 60 business days. Approval could come before that and that is my prayer. It's an exciting time as we wait to see what God is doing to bring this adoption through to completion!

What else am I anticipating? How about leaving three weeks from Saturday for my big trip!!!! WOW!! What an exciting time that will be! Can't wait to be headed to Europe...I want to look back at my life years from now and say, "Boy, did I ever soak up all those wonderful experiences I was blessed to have!"

We're also anticipating the opening of the new INDIANA JONES movie this week!!! WHOO-HOO!!!! What's your favorite line from the Indy movies?!?! My top 5:

5. What is this Tanis? (government guy)
4. The search for the Grail is the search for the divine in all of us. But if you want facts, Indy, I've none to give you. At my age, I'm prepared to take a few things on faith. (Marcus Brody)
3. You call him Dr. Jones, doll! (Short Round)
2. Ah, Venice. (Indy)
1. You lost today kid, but you don't have to like it. (Fedora Guy)

The Zeke Vigil

I know you are all praying for our approval to come quickly...we are so thankful for that! Would you consider joining me as I fast every week from Thursday at 8PM to Friday at 3PM? I will even do this while I'm in Germany. Every time I think about being hungry, I turn my thoughts to Zeke and pray for God to let us travel soon. I believe so strongly in the power of prayer and I think that fasting helps focus our attention on the concerns of our heart and shows God how committed we are to lifting up our prayer requests. My hope and prayer? That we could travel in July. Given the track record of the timing of approvals, this seems quite ambitious but it's not unheard of. God is sovereign over this process and is bigger than any piece of paper, process or bureaucrat. Let us focus on praying that we get to travel in July.

I-600 FILED!!!!

PRAISE THE LORD! Our I-600 and related docs should arrive on our case manager's doorstep tomorrow morning. Then, they're off to Vietnam. This is THE big step we were waiting to take. We're so thankful we've made it this far.

What does this mean? Basically, Vietnam has said, "Yep. He's yours as far as we're concerned." Now, it's up to the US government to agree and say, "Yep. He's yours." Then, we can go get him! So, we're in the final waiting stage. We don't officially get to start counting until we get a confirmation email from USCIS saying they received our I-600. I expect to get that in a couple of weeks. Supposedly, they will process our case in 60 working days. We don't yet know if we'll have to do the DNA test on the baby and birth mother. Will keep you posted on that, of course. A very, very interesting side note. In a couple of weeks, we will be getting copies of all the info on our case that Vietnam compiled. It will include the "referral photo" of our baby, which (I think) will show him when he first entered the orphanage. There will also be info on the birth mother, including a photo. Obviously, we want to know everything we can about our baby and his birth family so we're very eager to get this information.

A call to prayer: I have been praying about this part of the process since BEFORE we were matched to a baby, praying that God would prepare the heart(s) of whoever would handle our case on the US side. Please join me in praying that God will absolutely BLOW OUR MINDS with how smoothly and quickly we get our approval. I believe in miracles. I'm praying for one now.

No news...

Still waiting *patiently* on news that we can file our I-600. I really hope it happens this week. I'm out of town for work tomorrow through Friday. I'd really like to get the email from our case manager tomorrow before I leave. It will happen when it happens. *sigh*

Four weeks from this Saturday, I'll be headed to Europa. Very exciting! I'm already deciding what to pack. Since we have a flight from Germany to Brussels and that's considered a domestic flight (hey, it's all in the EU), I have to pack light. Considering I'm going to be over there for 3 weeks, that will be tough. We'll be in Berlin long enough in the beginning to get to do some laundry...still, I'm not going to lie to you, it will be tough. I've also got to consider how well I can get myself and my luggage on and off trains when I'm traveling by myself. Only take what you can carry easily up and down steps on the trains. I'm giving myself ample time to catch trains at each stop so that will make things a bit less stressful. Ahhhhh, I can't wait!

Non-Moms?!?!

So, the Today Show did some kind of Mother's Day special, sponsored by Teleflora. They apparently had different categories: Working Moms, Military Moms, Single Moms, oh yes...and the Non-Moms. The "Non-Moms" category included mothers of adopted children. So, how exactly does that make you a non-mom? All the moms of adopted kids I've met would say they are moms, nothing more and nothing less than moms with biological children. You can bet many adoptive parents sent the Today Show angry emails. It didn't take them long to change the category from Non-Moms to Adopting Moms and they posted this explanation on their website:

"Teleflora is immediately changing the name of our "Non-Mom" category to "Adopting Moms". After closer examination, we can see how this may have been offensive to moms who have adopted children -- moms who are indeed real moms to their children in every sense of the word. In fact, many of us at Teleflora are “adopting” parents ourselves, including our president and owner. The essence of this category still focuses on a grandparent, neighbor, step mom, or mom to adopted or foster children, each one raising and loving a child. This show of insensitivity on our part was in no way intended and we deeply apologize for any concern or distress we may have caused. It was always our intent to salute and celebrate all moms."

Idiots!

Run, Forest, Run

We ran a 5k today. Brad beat me, but not by much. He confesses to being a little worried when the race started because I took off at a really nice clip. Fueled by my desire to do well and the cool new song from Speed Racer, I finished 8th in my age group. Not too shabby!

I think we must surely be getting close to filing our I-600. Once we do, we will be in the final wait stage before travel. It's hard to believe, isn't it?!?! Supposedly, it will "only" take 60 business days for the US government to approve our I-600 though they routinely take longer. My prayer is that our approval will come BEFORE we even hit the 60 business day mark. Wouldn't that be a miracle?!?!

Plans are set...what to do now?

My plans are set. Two nights in Ghent (Belgium) and two nights in Paris. I may take the train to Bruges from Ghent...I think it's only 20 minutes away. After seeing the movie "In Bruges," I don't think I can pass it up. What to do in Paris? There's more than enough to keep me entertained just wandering around different arrondissement (neighborhoods) and enjoying whatever shops and cafes I find. That's basically what I did last summer. The only tourist thing I wanted to do was visit the Sacre Coeur, which I did and which I loved! I will definitely go back! It's one of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen. On the other hand, there's some cool out of town stuff to do too. From a young age, I've been fascinated with Versailles. Brad and I visited the palace when we went for our honeymoon. It was magical! Many of you know I read the book Abundance about Marie Antoinette last year while in France...heck, I was sitting the Tuileries, reading about the Tuileries...does it get any better than that?!?! And I flirted with the idea of going back to Versailles but did not. So, I'm debating it this time...And I found this: A bike tour to Versailles!! Check it out:

After we meet at our Paris office, we'll take the train out to Versailles, where our first stop is the village market for your baguette, cheese, ham, wine, and whatever else you desire for our picnic later in the Chateau's gardens. We'll also visit the Chateau, Marie Antoinette's hamlet, the Petit and Grand Trianons, and more!

Sounds amazing, huh?!?! You get a bike and time to just roam around the grounds. Plus, when Brad and I visited, we didn't get out to the hamlet or the Trianons. So, this would be something new.

Another option? Visit Mont St Michel. It's a village built on a tall island! Click the link if you're not familiar with it and check it out. Very cool. But it's an all day deal. So is the trip to Versailles. And that's why I ended up NOT doing any of these day trips last year. I couldn't bring myself to leave Paris for an entire day. Oh well. I'm still mulling over my options. Some of my friends who are world travelers highly recommend Mont St Michel so I'll keep that in mind...

Ahhh, what fun...to dream of far away places and things...

I'm trying to be as patient as I can be while waiting to file our I-600. We could get the "go" anyday now. It's really hard to wait. Once we file, we'll be in the pre-travel wait. Very exciting. I'm eager to get this filing behind us!!

Finalizing plans

Well, I had to nix Dublin. Turns out the Marriott there required points AND cash...a rather large sum of cash to boot. Ugg. I decided to look at doing something a little less complicated. I love Brussels and will be spending several days there during the official program so I donn't want to go back on my free time. BUT, I've never been to Ghent. It's a Belgian town that looks amazing! So, it will be 2 nights in Ghent and 2-3 nights in Paris. I'm very, very pleased with this plan.

On a different note, we saw Iron Man this weekend. It rocked! It's every bit as good as the reviews suggest. We'd even like to see it again!

Float my boat

Here are the things I'm digging lately:

*WARM WEATHER!
*Getting ready for Zeke!
*Planning my Europa trip. (I think it's going to be Dublin and Paris!!)
*A mad craving for more Zeke pics.
*Lars and the Real Girl on DVD
*Summer Popcorn Flicks
*Flip Flops (Paint yo nails!)
*Running (again!)
*Anything locally owned, grown or made. Handicrafts rule!
*Aerobics tunes like "What's your name?"
*Coke Light (like I could find some stateside)
*Future love between Kate and Jack on "Lost"
*Super duper double crosses on "Survivor"

And last but not least...this clip from Arrested Development, one of my new/old favorite shows!

New Tracks

Today is the birthday of Brad's brother Travis. Happy Birthday, Trav! The Story Corps interview I heard on my way to work this morning was very appropriate for Trav's birthday. A woman, Carly Dreher interviewed her 90-year-old grandfather, Lyle Link. Click here for more and to listen to the interview. My favorite part:

Asked if he has any regrets, Link says, "No, lived a wonderful life.
"I think when we got married, we made all new tracks and we never stepped in any old tracks. I want you to do the same thing," he tells Dreher. "Live with courage."

Isn't that wonderful? I hope you spend your weekend making new tracks and living with courage. And Trav...you and Melissa have always made new tracks...here's to another year of beautiful discoveries and new adventures! Happy Birthday!