Operation Olive

Homestudy Update

2008-12-28T20:43:00.000-08:00

Everything we needed to update the Homestudy has been mailed and the social worker is coming out to the house to check us out again next Saturday although there are no changes to make to our report.
171-h extension request has been mailed, so we just need to wait for that to come back with new fingerprint appointments and then approval again.
I hope it all comes to us before Feb 13 - that is our expiration date.
Keep your fingers crossed that 2009 is our year.

Updating and More Paperwork

2008-11-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

We are in the process of updating our home study, which seems so silly seeing as though we have no idea what is next for us, but, we do not want it to expire.
So, gathering paperwork again, getting physicals, requsting 171-h extension and new fingerprints and setting up our home visit. It is sort of weird this time without the excitement we had last time. I mean, honestly, we have no idea where our baby is coming from at this point. We have yet to make a decision so for now we are sticking it out for Vietnam unless our agency comes up with another option for us.

No word on how things are progressing in Vietnam or whether or not they will come up with a new agreement with the US. All we can do, is go on with our lives and pray that something happens.

Until I have more...

Decisions

2008-08-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

Well, the agreement is still ending on September 1 and our referral is no where in site.
Until we decide what route we are going to take, I am putting my Operation Olive blog on the back burner until I have some positive news to share. We may switch countries, we may wait it out, we may be able to do both, just not sure right now.
Until there is something good to share....

Come on baby!

2008-07-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

New Department of State update here.
This paragraph stands out...

According to the DIA, a referral occurs when DIA sends a letter to prospective adoptive parents informing them that both DIA and provincial authorities have agreed to the match of a specific child. Any case where this letter has been sent to the prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) before September 1 will be considered as having a referral and will be processed to completion. DIA has reported that there are more than 1,700 applications pending as of July 1, 2008. According to DIA estimates and prior adoption trends, it is likely that referrals will be completed before September 1 for approximately 50 percent of these applications. The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, will process to conclusion all adoptions that meet the Government of Vietnam’s criteria and deadlines.

Faith

2008-07-08T08:12:00.001-07:00

Tim and I got a letter this weekend from our agency explaining most of the goings ons in Vietnam with adoption, etc. While it is hard to take the news of a possible complete closure in adoptions from Vietnam, our agency is pushing forward and I am keeping faith. Who knows, maybe at the last moment Vietnam will decide (like Russia and Guatemala have in the past) that they will grand father us in. I am not sure, but what I am sure of is that our little one is out there somewhere, she is just having trouble finding us that's all. I will be totally suprised if she is NOT wrapped in a wad of red tape when we get her!

One good thing about waiting is I have more time to find the best, safest car seat out there. I swear, from what I have read, she will be rear facing until she is 18! I think the car seat that came with the stroller that I have is going to be outgrown pretty fast so I am looking at a Britax seat that will work up to 65 pounds. I think it is worth the investment for sure plus...it is cow print!

Heavy Heart today...

2008-07-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well, today marks 60 days before the closing of adoptions between the US and Vietnam. Babies have to be in the orphanage for 60 days before they are eligible to be adopted. It looks like my little Olive may not be coming from Vietnam as of now.
On another sad note, another family (who happens to live in my hometown) from our agency who was matched with their child in November found out that they are not going to be able to complete the adoption and bring their baby home. It is very sad, I can't imagine looking at her photo for that long and then finding out that it is not going to work out. I am sad for all of us involved in this mess.
Nothing more to say at this time...I am exhausted in every way possible.

Got an Update?

2008-05-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

Well, sort of. Not really.
Basically, this is what it is....

There are not currently any babies in the orphanages in the provinces that our agency works in. Since a baby has to be in an orphanage for 60 days prior to being made available for adoption, there needs to be babies by July 1st in order for things to start moving and for folks to get their referrals by September 1 and we are not on the top of the list as far as we know. I am trying to be super optimistic and ultimately know when God has her ready for us, we will come together but geeze, 6 months waiting and no movement is not making this look good at all. In the mean time, I take time each morning to imagine holding her, signing the big book in Vietnam at the Giving and Receiving Ceremony and bringing her home. I am really excited about being a Mom, whenever that may happen for me.

Until we hear, we wait while each day passes with no word of our daughter.

Ugh, just typing that breaks my heart even though I know good things come to those who wait, I am trying so hard to be good and patient, but some days are really hard.

Here is my request...

Please put it out there for us (via prayer, meditation, etc.) that the word gets out to the villages around where the orphanages are that there is a safe place for women to bring their babies if they cannot keep them for whatever the circumstance. There are people in the world that will love and raise them and give them opportunities that they otherwise may not have.

Olive's Lavish Wishlist

2008-05-14T13:26:00.001-07:00

I am sure this is what Olive would like from Lavish when she gets here.

Super Cute and overpriced onesie

These cute toys

This softie Hedgehog

This Stroller Blanket

Staying Positive

2008-05-07T16:38:00.001-07:00

I have been away for a few days - went on a road trip with my best girl Angela who moved to Colorado (so sad). It was nice to get away from all the drama in my life that surrounds our adoption process. I needed the break. I actually got to laugh super hard on my trip, which was such a great release.
Anyway, I have turned over a new leaf and am super positive about our adoption - not that I was far from that before, but was a bit knocked down. I really think and believe we are going to get our referral by September 1.
If you want to comment, that is fine, but if you are not positive about this as well, please do not let your fingers do the talking on this one.
Thanks for all of the support I have been getting some from people I don't even know.
I am so grateful for each of you and I glad you are on my side.
Lemke's and Szarek's you all mean the WORLD to me and I love you!

DEVASTATION

2008-04-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

Really upset all weekend, left work to hibernate a bit on Friday. With our new timeline in my last post, this isnt looking good for us but we are pressing on. I am going to be on pins and needles until September.

From the US Embassy website:

Adopted Children Immigrant Visa Unit
Warning Concerning Adoptions in Vietnam
April 2008
The Department of State continues to urge prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers not to initiate new adoptions from Vietnam at this time. The 2005 Memorandum of Agreement, required by Vietnamese law to authorize adoptions between the United States and Vietnam, expires on September 1, 2008. In addition, recent field investigations have revealed incidents of serious adoption irregularities, including forged or altered documentation, mothers paid, coerced or tricked into releasing their children, and children offered for adoption without the knowledge or consent of their birth parents.
The United States is strongly committed to processing legitimate intercountry adoptions from Vietnam if possible. Our primary concern is to ensure that the children and families involved in the adoption process are protected from exploitation. The Government of Vietnam shares this concern. Both countries acknowledge that more needs to be done to address deficiencies in the current system.
On April 25, the Government of Vietnam announced that it will allow adoption to be completed in cases where prospective adoptive parents have been matched with a child and received an official referral prior to September 1, 2008. It further stated that in accordance with Vietnamese law, the DIA will suspend the acceptance of new dossiers on July 1, 2008. On September 1, 2008 any dossier that has not received a referral will be closed and returned to the Adoption Service Provider. In view of the processing time required in Vietnam from placement to the Giving and Receiving Ceremony, an adoption process begun now cannot be completed before the current Agreement expires.
Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that documents relating to adoptions in Vietnam, such as birth certificates, abandonment reports, relinquishment agreements, and investigative reports are generally issued by orphanage directors, local People’s Committees, Provincial Departments and the Department for International Adoptions (DIA). The facts asserted in these documents are not verified by the issuing officials. Attempts by U.S. officials to verify the accuracy of these documents have routinely uncovered evidence of fraudulent or inaccurate information. Therefore, documents issued by the authorities listed above, and any other documents containing information not verified by the issuing authority, cannot be considered adequate evidence of the facts claimed. They may be used in conjunction with primary and contemporaneous secondary evidence, or must be independently verified by U.S. officials in Vietnam, before they can be considered valid for immigration purposes. (http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3705.html)
Consular officers have routinely completed field verifications of orphan status in over 35 provinces in Vietnam. However, in some cases, Vietnamese officials have prevented the U.S. Government from conducting independent field inquiries into the status of children identified in I-600 petitions. Embassy outreach, as well as support from adoption agency officials, have thus far allowed independent investigations to resume in some areas that were previously impeded. We continue robust efforts to resolve this issue. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict when we can complete the field inquiries in areas which are still closed to our staff.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and the Department of State have instituted procedures to verify that children identified for placement meet the requirements of Vietnamese and U.S. law, before the child has been adopted under Vietnamese law. Information about these procedures is available from USCIS or through their website http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis. The Embassy strongly advises prospective adoptive parents not to travel to Vietnam until they have received notification from the Embassy that their case is ready for final processing and travel is appropriate. Parents should contact the Embassy immediately if anyone, including their adoption service provider, encourages them to travel to Vietnam prior to receiving this notification. The Embassy can work together with adoption service providers, Vietnam’s Department of International Adoptions, and local authorities to resolve issues such as the scheduling of a Giving and Receiving Ceremony.

New Wait Time

2008-04-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

10-15/18 months is the most updated wait time. It was worded exactly like that “10-15/18”, they should just say 12-18.
So, minus the 5.5 we have under our belts it could be as soon as Fall of 2008 or as late as May 2009 that we get the call and then we would have to wait to travel SO maybe by my 35th birthday I will be a Mom. Honestly, I can’t imagine 2 more Mother’s Day’s passing without my baby! This year is going to be hard enough.
I am going nuts, having a hard time, but will get over it. Really, I know there is no telling at what rate children are going to be up for adoption and there is NOTHING we can do. I have written all the people I can write as a waiting parent (i.e.: government officials).
So……
We are taking on a home improvement project per my Mom's suggestion. Tim and I are going to gut and finally paint the living room, bedroom and kitchen! I need one more thing to help pass the time and there is no time like the present to get the house ready for when Olive comes home. A fresh, clean, new coat of paint will revive our place a little I hope and help make the wait not so bad. It is going to be a HUGE undertaking because we have a lot of cracks to fill, sand, prime, etc. but we are looking forward to it. Now, if I could just commit to a color or two!

Have you seen these?

2008-04-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

Just saw these in babytalk magazine and think they are so super cute!
Check em out at :http://www.rufflebutts.com/

5 months and 3 days

2008-04-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I can't believe we have been waiting 5 months and 3 days for our referral. It seems to fly by, really. I cannot tell a lie. I think part of it is that I have made myself super busy during this time for that exact reason.
We are still number 21 on the list. I think I may have mentioned it before but our agency is keeping us at the same number through the entire process. It makes it hard though to know where we really are. Oh, well, I guess I like surprises.
I can report that our agency has just gotten licensed in 2 new provinces so maybe that will move things along a bit. I am not sure. I mean, really, we can't really guess at what rate people are having children now, can we? I know when the right one comes along, she will be ours.
Until then, I keep praying that her birth mother has enough food to keep her healthy during her pregnancy and that she is well taken care of and can get the care she needs.
Just wanted to post something to keep you all in the loop.

Well Hello Cuties!

2008-03-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

I was just doing a little look see at Target Baby online and look at the cute goodies they have!
First is this chair, which I love. After seeing Frankie just about flip himself out of the bumbo chair, I think I would prefer to get this one that has a tray to sort of restrain the baby (not in a bad way) and keep her seated when she gets the urge to boogie during meal time.

Check out this little lady as well. What a cute little ride on toy. Not sure how practical it is, but it is super cute. I will have to enjoy it in the photo though - I don't really think this is something we must have.

You go Target! When I decide what I have left to purchase or register for, I think that is place I will go. As soon as things start moving I can get back to thinking about a baby shower, etc. Just want to wait until we get the referral or see some substantial movement on the list.

Face Lift

2008-03-28T11:58:00.001-07:00

I know, I have changed the header and look of this blog a couple times now, but I think I will keep this one for a while.
With no news, I don't have much to report.
We are in for the long haul and know that when God is ready for us to meet our little one, he will bring her to us.

6-8 more of these....really?

2008-03-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

I am by nature, a pretty patient person. I will admit that this year does seem to be flying by before my eyes. But when I think about the numbers, really, we have 6-8 more months of waiting for our referral if things go according to what our agency is telling us. Here are some things I keep reminding myself of when I get to chomping at the bit.

I would rather have to wait and have things be done ethically than being sped through the process.
I would rather wait now than have a hang up when we get our referral like some other families. I feel so bad for them. I cant imagine being matched with a child and not being able to go and get them and bring them home.
All good things come to those who wait.

Fund Raising

2008-03-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

Tim and I are working hard to save travel money for when we get the magical call and then get to go to Vietnam to pick up our little one.
If you can find it in your heart to purchase a magazine subscription (at a great price), renew a current subscription or give a subscription as a gift, it would be so appreciated and you will get some good karma in return.
Follow this link if you are interested in helping us out.
http://magfundraising.com/OperationOlive

Baby on the Brain

2008-02-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

I had a little freak out yesterday about things I don't have yet for Olive when she gets here or for when we go to pick her up. I guess I don't really have to worry about that stuff until we get the referral which may not be until the fall but until then I am making a list of what I think I need and Angela is going to look over it and let me know if there is anything on there that is not really neccesary. I don't want to have to spend a lot of money to get what I need, you know? Thank God for Frankie growing out of things that can be handed down.

Anyway, thought I would share this great deal at Skip Hop with all of you; there are three styles of this diaper bag that are on sale for $39.99 regular price is $65.00!!!

Here are the three that are on sale, while supplies last of course.

A diaper bag is the one thing I think I am going to forgo since Tim is dead set on using a courier bag that we already have.

Update Anyone?

2008-02-21T11:07:00.001-08:00

Does anyone have an update? Not us!
Our social worker is currently in Vietnam so I am sure we will hear something when she gets back. Our agency goes to Vietnam to perform humanitarian work a couple times a year which I think is awesome. That gives them a chance to really get involved in the communities where they have adoption licences and makes Tim and I feel really good. I have a past of doing humaniatarian work in Vietnam (see side photos) so this is near and dear to my heart and was an important factor to us when choosing an agency. I have not been to Vietnam for 2 years now and I can't wait to go back and visit some of my old friends with our new addition.
I think we will see some movement in our position in line between March and September. Our agency is not changing our number though. They are keeping us at 21 and will update us when they are nearing our number. It will be this year though, I am confident that I will be a Mom this year and I can't wait.
Has anyone out there in adoption blog land considered breast feeding? I have looked into it and it is completly possible and a great way to bond with your baby. Any thoughts from anyone? Here is a nice link if anyone is interested in reading about it for themselves: http://www.fourfriends.com/abrw/faqs.htm

Phil and Ted's

2008-02-21T11:03:00.000-08:00

Just heard about these and think they are fabulous! They keep the water in the bottom seperate from the formula in the top and when you are ready to mix you twist the top and shake!

Traveled to Colorado this past weekend with Angela and 8 1/2 month old Frankie and these would have come in handy. I think I will get some for Little Miss Olive.

AlwaysClean

2008-01-18T16:56:00.001-08:00

I love this pacifier!

The side wings close around the nipple with it falls out of baby's mouth! Right now they are only made for babies 0-6 months, but give it time, they are bound to make it for older babies soon!

Cute Wall Art

2008-01-11T14:42:00.000-08:00

I am thinking about getting these three killer prints from SugarLoop for the wall in Olive's little area in our apartment! Just need to make sure Tim likes them.

2008-01-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

Thought I was share this...

Christmas is over...

2007-12-27T15:59:00.001-08:00

Christmas was a tough one this year. I was trying not to remember the time when we thought we would have Oliveia home by now. I am trying really hard to keep my head up, but Christmas brought me down. I didn't really get into it very much this year, I guess I was banking on having a baby in the house by now and starting some new family traditions. Together, Tim and I are still pretty mellow about the increased referral time, but, when I am alone is when I think about it way too much. Now, my new mission is, get in shape and get ready to keep up with Olive, and pray for a referral by my birthday in July! What a nice gift that would be, ahhhhh. I know 2008 is going to be a good year, I can feel it in my soul. We are so ready for our little one to be in our home. Financially, we are strapped down, tight budget, etc. but we will need to get used to that part of parenting anyway especially in San Francisco. We are always on the lookout for a larger place to live, but don't really want to do anything that will effect our paperwork that is already in process in Vietnam. Our agency said that we could move and we would have to take with us to Vietnam an amendment to our dossier, but we don't want to get all the way over there and have any problems. There is already enough going on over there, we don't want to throw anything off, you know?

Anyway, not really an update, just some thoughts I was having today I needed to get off my chest.

On a side note...check out how cute this dress is from Gymboree, from the "Holland Days" collection.

Grandma is hard at work

2007-12-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

My Mom just sent me a photo of the quilt that she is making for Oliveia.

I love it so much! I know Olive is going to love it to.

My Mom is so sweet, she was telling me when she makes a quilt she imagines the baby that is going to have it, thinks about the family, etc. Sniff sniff....

New Referral Time

2007-12-10T10:31:00.000-08:00

10-12 months...
That is our new wait time for our referral. Minus the time since we got our number, so one month, OK, so 9-11 months.
We found out last week. Nothing we can do except enjoy the time we have together before Olive is here! Some days are harder than others to be patient, but most of the time we are pretty content with the new timeline. We really have no control over any of this. We are happy that our paperwork is registered in Vietnam with the DIA and we started this process when we did. The future of adoption from Vietnam is unclear at the moment so we are just sitting tight and praying that we get the call soon and will be able to go and get our little one soon.
Stay tuned...

No News

2007-11-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

No updates to post, just wanted to let you all know.

I guess no news is good news! Positive thinking and prayer are the only things that keep us level headed about all of the changes with Vietnam adoption lately.

We are getting ready for what is hopefully our last Christmas without a little one at home. I can't wait to have a child in the house and start some fun family traditions. Tim and I have some already, but we have more up our sleeves for when Olive is in the house.

I will update when I hear something to update about.

For those of you who know me, I love cupcakes! Gymboree has a Cupcake Cutie collection right now and it is to die for! I am waiting for some of it to go on sale so I can get a couple things and save them for Miss Olive.

Oh! How cute are the panda shoes?

We got our number!

2007-11-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

We just got an email from our agency and they gave us our number in line. We are 21, so there are 20 families ahead of us - probably about a 6 -8 month wait if not longer. With all the bad news at the beginning of this week, it was nice to get a call with some good news. Our agency has voluntarily pulled out of the two provinces mentioned in the Embassy statement, they are not under investigation nor have they ever had a problem or questioned the status of an orphan in the orphanges they work in, but they hold a licence in those areas and think it best for families on both sides to put things on hold for now until the Embassy gives the green light to continue. This should help to keep everyone safe and free from a NOID (notice of intent to deny). Good thing is, the head of the agency is in Vietnam right now and is meeting with many officials to discuss the corrupt practices in those 2 provinces. Our agency is urging other agencies that have licences in those areas to temporarily pull out as well in order to stay ethical and set an example for those who are not. Their thought is, they would rather have PAPs (perspective adoptive parents) have a longer referral time than be involved in a region known for unethical practices. If agencies continue to conduct adoptions in these regions, they are putting all of us at risk and are doing a complete disservice to all PAPs. I have gotten many emails from our agency over the last 2 days and Tim and I both feel confident that they are taking all necessary precautions to keep everything legal, ethical and RIGHT. Our agency is NOT one that is under investigation and has not had any problems, but are trying to protect all parties involved and the safest thing for all of us is for them to halt things for now in the two regions and continue to work in their other provinces. It is hard to put a timeline on a referral as most of you know, you can't really estimate at what rate parents are going to make the heartbreaking decision to give their child up for adoption, so we just keep praying and when God is ready for us to be matched it will happen. Our main concern at this time is all of the wrong-doing over there and we are relieved to get clear and consistent communication from our agency about their ethics and practices and feel that we made the right decision with our agency. If you are reading this and are involed with an agency that puts you on the "fast track" to your child, THINK TWICE and do the research.
God Bless.

More SCARY news...

2007-11-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

Click here for the official notice from the US Embassy that goes along with my last post. We got word late today after my last post that our agency is going to temporarily halt adoptions from these two provinces, they work in two others as well. Our agency is NOT one of those that have been mentioned in some reports as being "investigated" THANK GOD. For this we are thankful, but still very apprehensive. We have faith that God will take care of us, when things are right for everyone involved.
What is going on is WRONG and unethical and we are praying that all of this gets figured out and all children up for adoption are legitimate. I cannot believe in today's world that this would happen. I have been to Vietnam a number of times to do humanitarian work and have seen the worst of the worst poor conditions, but for those people to be preyed on for their babies is HORRIBLE. I am sick over this. Honestly, I would rather wait 5 years for us to get our referral if it meant knowing that it will all done appropriately, ethically and legally.
We pray for the families that are currently stuck in Vietnam waiting to come home with their babies, but on the flip side, we pray that the people with babies from these provinces are told the TRUTH about their babies and hope that none of them are victims of this mess.
Please pray that these Vietnamese Provencial adoption leaders changes their practices and start ahearing to the laws set forth in the Hague. It will protect all perspective adoptive parents. We know we my not have the entire story about how our baby became an orphan, but I can tell you we want to be SURE that she was not the victim of this INSANITY.
For more reading on this:
http://vietnamlucy.blogspot.com/
http://goodhappenings.com/
http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/

Road Block

2007-11-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

Just got this email yesterday...we are sad but know when God has the right baby for us, we will be brought together no matter what.

"Dear Vietnam Adoptive Families,

The US Embassy officially posted a statement of concern over Vietnam Adoptions today and specifically identified Phu Tho and Thai Nguyen Provinces by name. Though we were surprised and disappointed that they would post such a statement with no specific details about the concerns that they have in these provinces, we do take the statement seriously and will carefully investigate the Embassy's concerns and respond accordingly. We will be meeting directly with the Embassy in Hanoi this week to obtain further information. Current referrals remain secure and will be processed under the new I-600 filing procedures.We hope to have further updates before the end of the week."

Funny Dream

2007-11-02T23:50:00.000-07:00

I had the funniest dream last night about Olive. I NEVER get to see her face when she is in my dreams and this time, I saw her, up close and clear and she was beautiful. In my dream, I was on a blanket playing with Olive on my parents front lawn with my Mom and Tim. I was telling my Mom how I could not get her to respond to me at all, to her name, to music, nothing. It was very strange. So, we decided to take her back to the orphanage (dreams are so strange) to see how she would react to being around other babies her age. Once we walked in, Tim was holding her and I said "hi Olive" and she looked right at me and smiled. Finally, we thought, a reaction. Phew! Then we put her in a swing and we played with the other babies and all of the sudden she started singing, clear as day, Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend by Marilyn Monroe.
I have the strangest dreams, I know, but for the first time I got to see her face and it was amazing.

On another note, paperwork still not at DIA, I will post once I know it has been handed over.

Dossier going to Vietnam

2007-10-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

Our dossier is on it's was to Vietnam this week.
10 days to translate and then we get our place in line and settle in for the 3-6 month wait. I shouldn't even say 3-6, I should just say 6 month wait because it seems to be more on the 6 month side for some of the other families that are in process. If it happens sooner we will be pleasantly surprised. For now, I just pray that she is being taken care of and wonder all the time if she has even been born yet.

Bottoms Up!

2007-09-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I finished up a lot of already started projects this weekend and got the bottoms done to match the dress I embroidered on a couple postings ago.
Check em out!

Stationary

2007-08-29T13:57:00.001-07:00

I was looking at Stationary and found this really cute baby annoucement. It is pretty expensive but I love it and the colors are of the Vietnamese Flag! It is hard to see on the computer, I couldn't blow it up, but there is a little pagoda beyond the tree. I just love it!

Tim Dreams of Olive

2007-08-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

I think it is so sweet that Tim often has dreams and Olive is in them. He had one over the weekend and her face wasn't clear but he was sitting on the bed with her and he was asking her what she wanted to wear and they were looking at all of her clothes.
So cute! I love it!

i171-h is out of here!

2007-08-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

Everything that we had to have our hands on, is out of our hands at this time.
Now it is all in God's hands and we know he will watch over everything and bring us our baby when the time is right.

The next steps are:
1. Agency will send paperwork to CA Secretary of State to authenticate (3-4 weeks), paperwork goes back to Agency.
2. Agency will send paperwork to Vietnamese Consulate to authenticate (5-10 days), paperwork goes back to Agency.
3. Agency will send all authenticated paperwork to Vietnam, there it will get translated (10 days), and then we wait for the referral (3-6 months).
4. 6-8 weeks after we get the call (the referral) we travel to pick up Oliveia and bring her home (with Mama Lemke if you are still game Mom).

Tim and I have estimated the longest wait possible, just so we are pleasantly surprised if things happen before then. We think the paperwork should be in Vietnam by November 1 and we will get the call by April at the latest and travel 6-8 weeks after we get the call. Originally, we were thinking we would get the call by January, but referral times have increased from 1-3 months to 3-6 and now for new families that are applying, it is 6-8 weeks. Good thing we started this when we did. Until we get the call, we pray daily for our baby girl, her birth mother and her caretakers.

Altered Dress for Olive

2007-08-17T17:28:00.001-07:00

I got this cute dress and matching diaper cover at the used kids clothing store in my neighborhood for about $3 and decided to add a little embroidery to it. I thought a cupcake was perfect.

I have not yet decided, but I may embroider "Olive" on the bum of the diaper cover.

It's HERE!

2007-08-17T17:16:00.001-07:00

Our I-171h arrived today! We are going out to our local Vietnamese restaurant to celebrate!

Is this a sign or what?

2007-08-11T23:44:00.000-07:00

Anchors Away!

2007-08-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

I got this dress the other day at a used baby clothing store (it still has the original tags on it!) and had to have it for when Olive meets her Grandpa Somera, who was in the Navy for a long time. It is so cute and puffy and made of a really nice material plus, it came with a headband (navy with a white bow) and a navy diaper cover for $5.50 - what a bargain!
PS - I am secretly hoping that by getting something patriotic will make our i-171h arrive faster!

We've Been Printed!

2007-07-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

We went to immigration offices today and got our fingerprints taken.
Come on I-171h! One more letter to arrive and our paperwork is out to get processed at Secretary of State and then the Vietnamese Consulate and then it goes overseas. A social worker from our agency called my Mom today to ask a couple questions so things are moving along now. I wonder how long until our approval letter will take to arrive? I hope it comes next week! I heard it can take between "one and several weeks", I am hoping for one! A girl has gotta have a dream right? In the mean time, it is save, save, save here.

Vietnamese Cooking Class

2007-07-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, Tim and I took a hands on Vietnamese Cooking class in Sonoma. It was really fun! We wanted to learn how to make some traditional dishes so when Oliveia is old enough to eat solids we can make her some foods from her homeland. I have taken a couple classes in Vietnam but nothing as extensive as this, it was awesome and we had a lot of fun.
For more information and photos from the class check my food blog @ http://www.magpieskitchen.blogspot.com/

Here are a few photos...

It's HERE!

2007-07-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

We got it and get printed next week!

Phew!

2007-07-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it, I got antsy and called the home study agency and they called USCIS for us to find out where our fingerprinting appointment letter is. I couldn't believe the answer, strange but true, USCIS said that they mailed it to us 3 weeks ago and we were scheduled to come in July 3-7! Fortunately, they are sending out another one. I can't imagine what happend to the original one. The mail situation in San Francisco is not good. I have magazines ripped out of their plastic bags all the time and have had things missing before. How come the credit card bill never seems to go missing? We have literally been scouring the mail every day since June 12 to no avail to find out it was sent 3 weeks ago is a little unsettling. Tim brought up the fact that we could have our i-171h approval letter by now if we would have got it, but I can't go there. It should be at our house tomorrow or Saturday and we will get the prints next week and then wait for approval. YIPPIE! I hope that comes quickly and then everything will be set for Secretary of State and the Vietnamese Consulate!
So close but yet so far.
Oliveia, where ever you are, whether you are on this earth or still in your mommies tummy, we love you and can't wait for you to come home! You are in our prayers every day!

Storage

2007-07-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

I decided this morning that if I have to pass the stroller in the box in the hallway to my apartment any longer I am going to have a nervous breakdown. I know it may sound silly to some folks, but every time I pass it I imagine going on a walk with my baby and how much I love her already and I don't even know her. It is too painful. I am going to have Tim put that and the Pack n'Play in the storage unit this weekend until we get further along in the process. Waiting on USCIS is no fun at all.

Fingerprinting Appointment

2007-07-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

Still haven't heard anything from USCIS.
It has been 5 weeks.
One more and I am going to ask the home study agency to check in on it, if possible.

Things we do while we wait...

2007-06-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

1. Start making Christmas gifts (saves money and takes up some time)
2. Scrapbook/Lifebook - we have started this and it is so fun!
3. Organize photos that we have taken over the past year
4. Minimize our "stuff" - we both purged our closets and have more to go!
5. Pray - for her birth mother, for the nannies at the Orphanage and for her health
6. Get in shape, get strong - babies look light but after a while...
7. Practice Yoga often - keeps me in the moment and mellow.
8. Tim plays a LOT of tennis - stress releif and great for his bod.

Baby's First Doughnut?

2007-06-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

Just got this at lunch today!

It is a knit doughnut with a rattle inside. So cute and I love the pink frosting with the white sprinkles on top.

Time line

2007-06-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

WOW! I was just entering my time line and can't believe how busy we have been with all of this. There may be some dates changing and I may add some things, it is a lot to remember and last night I literally got out all the paperwork and tried to attach a date to each thing.
Currently, we have a little bit of a break and are just waiting for the fingerprinting appointment from USCIS (which can take 4-6 weeks). After we get that done then 4-6 weeks we should get the i-171h approval letter. Once we have the approval letter our adoption agency can send all of the paperwork to CA Secretary of State to be authenticated and then it goes to the Vietnamese Consulate to be stamped and authenticated as well. After that entire process our paperwork will be on a plane and on it's way to Vietnam to be translated, reviewed and then matched with a baby girl that will become the newest member of our family!

Referral Time

2007-06-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

Had a call with my social worker on Tuesday and found out that the referral time went from 1-3 months to 3-6 months. So we have a bit of a longer wait than we thought. For a while there, they were telling us we may have our baby girl by the end of the year, but now, it looks like she may be home in 2008. The way I look at it, is when God has the right baby for us, he will bring us together. These things cant be rushed.
Anyway, trying to update the time line on my blog, it is still under construction.

Operation Olive is up and running

2007-06-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would try and chronicle the adoption adventure for anyone out there who is interested. If this blog helps anyone or motivates anyone to adopt, then my work is done. The world of International Adoption can be daunting for some people, but we have made our way though the paperwork unscathed and are now just waiting for our fingerprinting appointment and then the coveted CIS 171-h approval letter.