We're home!

We made it home! After 33 hours of travel we made our way to our front door, only to find that the Homecoming Elves had been hard at work while we flew the "friendly skies". Everything was ready to go for Kenna --- all her toys, clothes, bedding and bath items were organized and put away, closets were tidy and all the outlets were covered. I have such amazing friends! It was sooo nice to come home to calm rather than the last-minute chaos i know we must have left here 2 weeks ago.

Kenna is doing her best to settle in. I can't imagine what it must be like for her. In the last weeks she has been exposed to a million new things that she may never have ever seen before or since. Her entire world is up side down.

And she's up...more later!!!

Last Post from Hanoi

Well, the bags are packed (though not zipping well) and we're ready to go home. Our time here has been amazing of course, and I am looking forward to returning when K is older to show her all of the neat things we have learned about her native country. I have to admit, that's a little strange...she's the first non-native-bornTexan in the family in like 6 generations! But that just makes her even more special :)

We're looking forward to seeing all of our friends and family and introducing K to everyone. She is a very loved little girl, and we are all very lucky to have each other and such wonderful people surrounding us with love and affection. We can't wait to be home...there's no place like it!

Picture of the Day

OMG - she's just the slipperiest little thing! She loves bath (sink) time, and usually she's checking herself out in the mirror, but i turned her around for this shot. Totally adorable.

We can leave with our daughter!

Kenna got her visa to enter the U.S. in record time today! The interview lasted less than 60 seconds - no joke, and our visa was ready within 1/2 hour and $400 after that. Maybe we looked like we would hurt someone if things didn't go our way today; or maybe it was the desperation oozing from our pores. Or maybe it was the begging? No matter-- it's done, and we're on the downward slope.

We can come home and bring her with us! No small thing if you've been following along for a while. It was touch and go there for many, many months. When we touch down at LAX on Saturday night, she'll be a U.S. Citizen, and this part our journey will be all but complete.

K is doing great. She loves to smile and laugh...and she has the cutest little dimple in her cheek - we're discovering new things about her every day.

We're going to spend our last full day just around here picking up some last minute things we cannot live without, which includes an extra suitcase...i have no idea how we crammed everything into 2 bags on the way over. Oh, that's right - we didn't! It was done for us by the packing fairy, and she's not here to help us now!!!

Ready to come home - ready to begin the next phase of our journey!

And more!

C seems to make friends everywhere. He loves the attention from the Vietnamese people. They call him "very handsome boy", and he just eats it up. It never fails, though, that once they find out his age, they change their description to "very BIG handsome boy"! This just makes him giggle. Before Vietnam, I have never had to answer the question, "is THAT very big handsome boy daddy?" as they point in B's general direction. Speaking of B, a cabbie asked him to write his height and weight down for him so that he could tell his friends how he got this large American into the itty-bitty clown car.
We went to the Museum of Ethnology today - loved it! I look like the tour guide in this pic, and you can't even see the sweat streaming down my face! K is quite comfy in the sling - and I guess at this temperature, she doesn't really add to the heat. We're all a big soggy mess all the time anyway!

C and S in a replica of one of the traditional VN houses. C really loves museums, although he'll never admit it. He has tons of fun learning about the "olden times", which is anything pre-2000 to him.

We went to Bobby Chin's tonight for dinner. It was wonderful - as all the food we've had here has been. C says he loves the food here, too...as he's slurping down spaghetti and meatballs. He has tried the local fare and has enjoyed most of it. He's a much more adventurous eater here than he ever is at home, where he thinks plain black pepper is way too spicy.

Tomorrow we have our visa appointment. Once that step is complete, we're free to leave VN with K. We'll also receive the paperwork that will make her a U.S. citizen as soon as she disembarks at LAX, which I think is a pretty cool thing.

I am ready to come home and get back to real life. I can't wait for K to meet everyone - she'll melt everyone's hearts for sure! As much as I've enjoyed it here, it's time to go...the pollution is killing me, and the street vendors' agression is starting to make me want to kick them. The heat is so overbearing that showering doesn't really seem to make a difference. I really don't like that part. I enjoy clean - clean is good.

C is missing his first week of school. Though I do not regret for one second the decision to bring him to VN with us, he needs to get back to meet his new teachers and classmates. T-ball season starts next week, too, and he may not forgive us if he misses much of that!

Pictures!

Today we spent most of the day just hanging out in the hotel. Playing with Kenna and entertaining ourselves pretty well. B found a store that sells DVDs and Wii games for cheap, so he enjoyed himself then!
We're so amazed at how much K has progressed just in a few days. When we picked her up, she could not hold her head up on her own for more than a second or two. Now look at her!
She also couldn't sit up without more assistance. It's amazing what a few days in a better environment will do! I know that the nannies adored her, but it was impossible for them to give her the interaction attention that all babies so desparatly need. She's just blossoming with us, and we're so thankful for that.
B has a picture of C as a newborn on his arm in this same pose. Even though K is so much older, she's not that much bigger! She also loves her toes -- socks just get in her way, and that frustrates her, but it's entertaining for me to watch her try to get at them through the socks!
I just love this picture. B looks so proud, and K is so content in his arms.

Picture of the Day

How cute is she???? We went to the Museum of Ethnology today - definetly my favorite stop so far, besides the shopping....however, they did have an awesome museum shop! K napped in her sling most of the time and then had a major blowout in it. Nice.

Mother of the Year

Well, I know all of you moms out there were vying for it, but I believe this is my year for the big honor...talk about trial and error (heavy on the error). We've been giving Kenna the recommended brand of formula and supplementing her with rice cereal. No problems yet, right? Well i was wondering why she wasn't sleeping very well and seemed cranky even after she ate well...that would be because I was pretty much starving her with the wrong ratio of water to formula! I won't bore you with the exact numbers (because I know some of you have CPS on speed dial), but suffice it to say that once she got some real food in her, she started sleeping like the nannies said she would (i thought they were just trying to humor me!) and became much more lively and talkative. Strange thing, that language barrier. I would advise all of you, if ever in VN - don't assume you can just use the same measurements of anything that you would in the States. First of all, there's that wacky metric system. What ev. Secondly, the language is hard to read. Don't even try to piece it together. What you'll get is a headache and a fussy baby.

So, that said, here's a list of do's and don'ts with some random musing mixed in for fun...

1. I miss chips and hot sauce. I may need an IV upon touchdown.
2. Yes does not mean yes here. It means "probably not. Actually, no. Absolutely not. I'm just not going to say no because you may not like it."
3. No means no.
4. Pho (faw) rocks, but don't try to eat it from the street vendors.
5. Highlands Coffee is as good as they say.
6. I miss chips and hot sauce.
7. I miss chips and queso.
8. I miss tortillas.
9. I miss pizza with tomato sauce on it automatically, and not as an extra topping.
10. I miss chips and hot sauce.
11. Things smell funny here. Just get used to it.
12. Don't try to take a picture of old ladies chopping up exotic-looking fruit with a machete. They just might wave it menacingly in your direction.
13. Don't watch what the driver is doing. Ever. Just trust that you will get there in one, maybe two pieces and just deal. Otherwise, you will have a stroke before you get to the shopping streets, and that's not good for anyone.
14. Don't break glasses at the restaurant. They will charge you at least 3x what it's worth. Just ask Brian.
15. I miss chips and hot sauce.
16. Remember that you are taller and wider than the average Vietnamese. Just ask Brian as he's trying to get into a Honda Fit.
17. Don't take anything too seriously or personally. Unless it has to do with your baby - then you have full reign to kick some a--, should you deem that necessary.
18. Get the suite. You'll be glad you did.
19. Don't come in August. You'll be glad you didn't.
20. Don't be alarmed when the waiters take your baby from your arms at the table. They are trying to help, not kidnap. They know it's hard to eat with a baby. It's really quite sweet.
21. Be nice. Americans still have a bad rep in some parts of town, with good reason.
22. Bargain! Things are so cheap that you feel like a schmuck asking to pay even less, but they expect you do to that, and it's worth it. Offer 1/2 of what they quote, then go from there.
23. You cannot read Vietnamese. No one can. It's just a bunch of letters with queer markings on top of them. This is part of their plan to confuse you -- they find great humor in it, and it's all in fun.
24. Don't look both ways before crossing the street. This will confuse everyone.
25. Enjoy your stay - it's a great country!

Cuteness Alert!

Now, back to our program...

Sorry for the delay, folks. A little technical difficulty and day trip to Halong Bay has interfered with my blogging addiction. Kenna is settling in with us quite nicely. I have her in her sling right now, and she's napping as I type. She seems to have bonded with all of us already - but i know it's really too soon to tell until we can get her home. Her little personality is showing through a little more each day. She loves to babble nap and eat. She must be heaven sent to be just like me!

She's eating rice cereal and formula like a champ. She tends to like things a little on the hot side, and has no problem telling you to get the temp right. She likes to keep moving, however, and I am now re-learning the art of rocking and typing simultaneoulsy - please excuse the typos...i have a reason today.

Yesterday we took a 3 hour bus ride to Halong Bay, which is simply magnificent. If I can get the pics to upload, everyone will get to see. C loved the boat ride, and seeing the caves and fun creatures that had been naturally carved out of the limestone from hundreds of years of rainfall. It was a great adventure. K slept most of the way there, braved the "90 step climb" to the cave (yeah, right!!!) in the sling with me, and slept most of the way back to Hanoi. I have not sweated this much EVER!!!!!! I am not exaggerating here. I mean Texas is hot and sometimes humid, but there is always some air moving somewhere close. The air in the Bay was so thick and still with moisture that was pretty sure I was going to grow some gills in order to breathe!

We are in love with K. She is just so precious and adorable. We met a family here at the hotel who adopted their 14 month old from Bac Ninh a couple days before we met K. Their resemblance, mannerisms, facial and body structure and even their cries are VERY similar. We're wondering if they might have some kind of genetic relationship. It really is uncanny, and how wonderful if we could have some link to her biological family.

B is picking up K's passport today. K's medical evaluation for her Visa is tomorrow. I know they'll give her a clean bill of health, and then, we'll be ready to apply for her Visa. Our very, very tentative departure date could be as early as Friday. But nobody get too excited yet. We're really in no hurry to leave. C asked if we could live here all the time, and his native Texan mom, dad, and grandma were a little appalled, but i can see why he likes it so much!

We've eaten great food and met some wonderful people from all over the world. We've also risked life and limb crossing the street, riding in taxis, motorbikes and boats with holes in them. I'm excited to come home, but I hope to be able to return very soon to this amazing country. K has a vast and complex heritage that i need to absorb more of!

What you've all been waiting for

G&R

Wow, it's been such a whirlwind. I have no idea what really went on at the G&R, but I remember distinctly forcing myself NOT to Grab and Run! K's main caregiver brought her in to us at about 3:20. She had been specially bathed and dressed. I couldn't bear to change her clothes; the nannies took such care in dressing her, that it just didn't seem right. There were tears all around as the nanny handed her to me - it was amazing. She looked right into my eyes as if to say, "what took you so long?" She was in a little bit of shock, I think, but took it all in and was engaged and animated most of the time.

She is soooo little. Her G&R outfit was 0-3, and it was big on her! Needless to say, shopping must be done! We fed her a bottle and then it was off to sign the papers. A few signatures in a hot stuffy room later and she was ours! The ride back to the hotel was uneventful...she slept in B's arms most of the trip.

We spent the rest of the night getting to know each other. She's teething and up every few hours just to be comforted. She's a little less scared each time she wakes up. It must be so confusing with all the different people, faces, smells and sounds. But she's doing so great. We are in awe of her. She is strong and determined; sweet and affectionate. I love her to pieces, and I can't wait to see what she shows us next!

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Ok, this will be short and sweet - we have her, she's perfect and I have to get back to her because I can't bear for her to be out of my arms. She's tiny! 0-3 month clothes fit a little big! And her nannies say she's a great sleeper -- she is soooo meant to be in our family! She has 2 tiny little bottom teeth, and is just amazing. More later, but here are some pics!

Today is the day!!!

Our G&R ceremony is today at 3:30!!!!!!!!! We leave for the orphanage at 1:30 - Obviously I won't be sleeping tonight, but I'll need to get used to that with a new baby anyway, right? Cannot wait to hug and kiss our little girl! I won't be letting her go for a while, so you may want to get in line now :)

It's really happening!! After all of these years, with all the tears and setbacks, it's our turn!!

Tourist Faux Pas and other happenings...

***Pictures will be posted at the bottom of the page on a quasi-daily basis - feel free to skip my rantings and scroll down, but there's no baby there yet, so don't get your hopes up!***

First of all, no Grabbing and Running today. Bummer. We're all disappointed about that, but prospects for tomorrow look good. In the words of our guide, "hopefully and probably". Answers like that are never acceptable in my real ife, but I've had to get used to them in this adoption process for sure. We've come this far, so I guess another day won't matter, but I hate thinking of Kenna in the orphanage even one day longer than necessary.

Did I mention it was hot here? Today was even hotter and stickier than yesterday. It's hard to do a whole lot whilst melting away. Y'all know that B's keeping the room iceberg cold, and it is actually refreshing and not bone-chilling. FYI - the hallways are not air-conditioned. Odd, I know, so you pretty much start sweating on your way to the elevators (which are slow), and it just gets worse from there.

Since all our internal clocks are messed up, B was up at 430, and decided to walk around the lake. No joke. But the funny thing is: he was not alone. Apparently the entire city wakes up at 4:30 and subsequently power walks around the lake, or joins into a huge outdoor aerobics class up and down the street to blaring Vietnamese rock music. The video is quite humorous. If I can figure out how to upload it, I'll post it. B said it remined him of that scene in Ferris Beuller's Day Off where everyone is dancing in the street in sync. That's just crazy to me. I have been awake at 430 a lot in my time, but never have I once felt the urge to join a street party at that hour!

B and S went to the Ho Chi Minh masoleum today, and saw the Presidential Palace. I'm not big on seeing dead people, so I'm fine with just looking at their pictures. And I passed the Presidential Palace on the way to the FiviMart yesterday, so I'm good. The officials at the HCM tomb were not going to let B in because he was wearing shorts and flip-flops....attempts were made at wrapping a sarong around him, but after much frustration and consternation, they just waved him through, cursing under their breath, I'm sure. I would have paid good money to see B walking around in a skirt during that tour! Also, I'm told that he alarmed some schoolchildren with his giant feet. Meanwhile, C and I hung out at the hotel while I finished getting ready for our G&R, should that have happened today.

We did a little shopping and then came back for a swim while waiting for the phone to ring again. Again, I am amazed at the shopping here...so much fun!!!

Hanoi

This city is amazing. It truly has it's own unique personality and life-force. The people are so gracious and very accommodating, and they really do love children. Especially cute little American ones like C. He's been trying to avoid all the old ladies' cheek pinching -- they will follow him down the street and tell him how handsome he is! So cute - and if you know him, you can just picture him cocking his head to the side with a grin that will just melt your heart. We're all having a blast - C is tired of walking, but I could probably go all day! Very impressed with my Mary Jane Crocs, by the way.

We went to a HUGE market today, about a 10 minute taxi ride from the hotel, and it was filled with hundreds of vendors selling everything from silk to toys to lingerie, to local unidentifiable delicasies. Everyone was so kind, and even the bargaining was fun....they ask for at least twice what they expect to sell an item for, you offer less than half, and you banter back and forth (very good-naturedly) until a deal is made. Now, the street vendors are another story. They have no qualms about shoving whatever they're selling into C's face, and using him to make a sale. "Mommy, please?? For child??" And then of course, C chimes in with "yeah, Mommy, can I have it??" They also see Brian coming from miles away --a large American target who has "softie" written all over his face. They trail him down the sidewalk insisting he buy t-shirts, hats, pineapple, cyclo rides, fans...and he has a hard time saying "NO!!!" He tries to let them down easy, but they simply will not take no for an answer. Bit of advice - do NOT make eye contact. However, they're harmless and enjoy the dance.

We had the breakfast buffet at Jaspa's this morning - very good, very convenient (we're at the Somerset) and the service is impeccable...we're going to be so spoiled when we come home! Highlands Coffee did not disappoint, and made for a perfect spot to rest -- the smoothies were to die for; I'll def try the actual coffee soon! It is sooooooooooooo hot here. Fort Worth's heat is relatively dry and there's usually a breeze, but here in Hanoi you feel like the city one big sauna. We are all dripping sweat within minutes of stepping outside, and y'all know I don't sweat!!

We have a meeting with our guide in a few minutes to finalize some paperwork and we're hoping our G&R will be set for Thursday or Friday. "G&R" by the way, does not mean "Grab and Run" (thanks, R, for the giggle!) , although it certainly sums up what I'll feel like doing, I'm sure!!! It's the Giving and Receiving cermony where Kenna's adoption becomes final. I can't wait!!! We're all so ready for her to join us!

Looks like we made it..

We're here, in one piece and exhausted. I think it's about 3:30 a.m. Texas time, but of course 330 pm the next day here. Hotel is fantastic, traffic is crazy, Connor's napping, Brian's exploring the neighborhood and I'm about to crash...Hanoi looks like a fabulous place to explore and learn. Can't wait to check it out...we should find out about our G&R date in the morning, so I'll post then. I can't believe we're actually in Kenna's homeland! OMG they just delivered the crib! This is really happening!

In Taipei

We landed safely after a very nice flight - 13 hours actually went by fast! The crew was amazing, and they loved Connor, so of course now I think they are very smart, too. We have a 3 hour layover here and then it's off to Hanoi! We've been traveling over 24 hours now, and everyone is in one piece and we all still like each other, so that's all I can ask for really! Of course the Coke and chocolate i'm having for dinner (or i guess it's breakfast here) certainly helps! I'm running on battery power, and my laptop is flashing at me...I'll update when we get checked into the hotel.

We're almost there, Kenna!!

I love L.A.

Ok, not really. But I'm kinda partial to the Admirals Club in LAX. We're waiting out our 7 hour layover in the hoity-toity part of the airport...it's so very quiet in here. Not like an airport at all; more like a library. And the staff are kind of like stuck up librarians. Anyway...it's better than trying to rest on the tarmac, I guess.

The flight was uneventful, so it was great. The video i-Pod was our BFF for the entire flight. Connor watched TV shows that Brian downloaded for him, and then fell asleep 10 minutes before we landed. He napped long enough for us to be the last people off the plane - never wake a sleeping kiddo, right?

Connor is having a great time telling everyone who will sit still long enough about going to VN to pick up his baby sister. Everyone from the ticket agents, TSA people, flight attendants, strangers in the waiting area....It's very cute, and he's just so proud and showing her picture around like he's a new parent. I hope this sibling love continues at least long enough to get them both home safely. His little world is about to morph into something he could never imagine. Not that i can really speak to that, since I'm an only child myself, but I'm thinking it may be quite a rude awakening for him. He has offered to feed and change her, but has not offered to share any toys, that's for sure.

Well, this next flight from LAX to Taipei will be quite the experience. 14-15 hours of flight time is enough to stretch the limits of the most seasoned travelers, i'm sure, so there's no telling what it will do to us.

Reality check

Ok, people....this is it! We're actually leaving for Vietnam TODAY!!! We've been dreaming and planning for this day for about 3 years, and somehow it's still not quite real. Bags are packed, dogs are off to their cousin's house, iPod is loaded, passports and visas are...hmm.....oh, here they are....

I feel strangely calm today. I'm sure there's stuff left to do, but I think it will be ok. It's only a few weeks. Everything and everyone can wait until then. We're at the final, best stage of this journey of a lifetime, and it feels pretty good. Knowing that I will actually be holding my daughter this week is absolutely surreal. She, however, has no clue of what's about to happen to her. She's spent her entire life in an orphanage, and to go from that to our craziness is going to rock her little world. I hope with all my heart that she has bonded with the nannies. This means that she has experienced true love and affection and will be able to bond with us. I hope for her a smooth, peaceful transition into our hearts and arms.

And i can't wait to put bows in her hair!!!!!

Off to triple check my suitcases. May have forgotten the kitchen sink. I'll post as I can, and will be thinking of you all. I hope you'll follow along with us.

And We're Off!

We're leaving for VN on Sunday and will be there for almost 3 weeks. I'll blog from there as much as I can, but I may just spend all my time with our newest family member, and i'll may no apolgies for that! We'll be there soon, Kenna!!

Nevermind

I know International Adoption has been compared to a roller coaster, but this is ridiculous. We're not going until next week at the earliest. There was a meeting with the adoption aofficials and the Department of Justice, and now they are requiring another pseudo-investigation/approval before they grant any more G&R's in several provinces. Bac Ninh is one of them. I've been assured it's just another formality, and that in the long run, it will not matter at all. That is not comforting right now. How am I going to explain this to the proudest big brother i've ever seen?

It's like all the air was just let out of me. I feel numb.

Ok, make that SATURDAY!!!

Things change every other minute, it seems, but at this point, we can get a better flight out on Saturday night and it gives us some more time to pack (or freak out, either one)

Bringing Bac Ninh Babies Home!

I'm so thrilled to be able to announce that two more of our Thai Nguyen

More Bac Ninh Babies on the way home!!

I'm so thrilled to announce that 2 more of our original Thai Nguyen group have received their travel approval for their babies in Bac Ninh. They will be traveling next Friday, and boy, do they have a journey in front of them!! I can't wait to hear all about it, and for us to finally get these 4 very special babies together. Their story is so unique to just them, and they are in a very tiny, select group of children who, but for the grace of God, would not be about to come home to these families. Their adoptive parents have survived stumbling blocks and tragedies beyond comprehension to finally bring them home. Fate, disguised as beauracracy sometimes described as 'evil', has twisted and turned these families and babies through a ride of a lifetime. These, the TN 4 are so very special, so very loved, and their parents are so very blessed to be their parents.

Godspeed, good friends!

WE'RE GOING TO VIETNAM!!! ON FRIDAY!!!!

No time to post much, but OMG. I'm basically throwing my family's crap in a bag and just winging it. Looks like we'll be leaving on Friday night! This is crazy!!!!!!!!

WE'RE GOING TO VIETNAM!!!

Well, I guess all that complaining paid off!!!! We got approval this morning at 2:30 a.m. Something told me to wake up and check my email, and voila! There it was! The USCIS even sent their "best wishes"! They must like me!

I am at a loss at what to write -- that NEVER happens! There's too much going on in my brain right now....from flights, to travel, to hotels to OMG I have to buy diapers! And Desenex. And Dramamine. And...where the hell did that list go with all the stuff on it that I have to bring, and all the stuff I needed to do before we travel? Oh yeah, I have about 50 lists....now if I could just find one.

I am a rambling idiot this morning. BUT WE'RE GOING TO VIETNAM!!!! Hang on, little one, you'll be home soon!

Free Fallin'

Ok - everyone see that big huge clock counting the days over to your right???? It's still going...and going....I wish I had an Energizer Bunny icon to smash over the head with a large stick. And I'm a vegetarian. THATs how frustrated and anxious I am right now. I told someone today that I am no longer hanging by a very thin, fraying thread. The thread has finally given way and I'm in free fall mode. Somebody better be down there to catch me. I'm just sayin'...it's a l-o-n-g way down.

In other news, Connor goes back to school in a few weeks. Where did the summer go? It totally flew by, and soon we'll be back-to-school shopping (which I LOVE -- especially the school supplies. I'm a sucker for a new pen or pencil every time!). Oh, but wait - I thought I'd be packing for our trip instead of worrying about back to school, and shopping for travel-sized shampoos and such instead of #2 pencils. Again, a new paradigm to adjust to. I wish my head would stay in front of my heart for once. When we thought we'd be ahead of schedule in our travel, I just let myself go there and believe it. Again. I've GOT to stop this!!! Not that I've totally given up on earlier-than-planned travel, but every day that goes by on that damn counter over there shoves that thought farther and farther from reality. I hate reality. I do, however, love the movie, Reality Bites.

Ok, my brain is sufficiently scattered...off to escape to mindless TV. Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock...

Where, oh where...?

Where the heck is my i-600 approval, people????? As you can see, the clock to the right of this post keeps ticking, yet nothing of any value has graced my inbox or snail-mail box as of yet. (Except a Finding Nemo birthday party invitation.) And I just ran out to check the mail just in case. NO, it's not in my spam folder. NO, it hasn't been blocked. YES the wonderful, caring folks at the USCIS have my address. YES it's the right one. YES I am losing all grip on that thin illusive thread I like to call sanity. YES I am talking to myself. YES I am answering. YES I know this is a bad sign...

I'm stalking my inbox, stalking my mail carrier...this wait is turning me into a person I barely recognize. I usually avoid my mail, mail carrier, post office, postage meter and all things mail-related because bad things like bills appear there. Very bad things.

On a different note, we have received more information on our daughter that is very personal and private -- things that we will share with her when the questions start flying and the back-talk starts. Information on her very first days on this Earth are scarce and somewhat scary. We we soak up each bit and commit it to memory so that one day we'll be able to intelligently talk to her about the miracle and mystery of her birth. But first, WE HAVE TO GET HER HOME!!

So again, the waiting. I often hear others say that everything happens in God's time. Let me just posit this: His time is too slow. I get that He is all-knowing, but I also know that He has all the freaking time in the world. I, however, do not. And I just want this part of our lives to get a move-on, already. I'm ready to start the next chapter. And God knows I'm a fast reader, so I've been ready for this for quite a while now.

So, to God and USCIS...let's get this party started!