Our parents' journey for adoption began in November of 1999. They were eager to have a family and they decided adoption would be the way to go............
November 17, 1999
We decided we were going to adopt two children from Vietnam so we called our friend who worked for an agency. She told us she would send out the paperwork we would need to look over.
November 18, 1999
We received the papers and had long discussions. We then started the process of completing all of the forms. Wow! A lot of paperwork.
December 15, 1999
We mailed in our paperwork for step one and the homestudy.
December 21, 2000
We had our fingerprints taken for background checks at the government building.
December 29, 1999
We went to the local courthouse to have our passports completed.
We also finished what we could of the rest of the forms, but we needed to wait for our passports to return in order to finalize this set of papers.
January 8, 2000
We attended an adoption/parenting workshop.
January 9&10, 2000
We had our homestudy interviews.
January 16, 2000
We received our passports and completed the rest of the paperwork for this stage.
February 4, 2000
We spoke to our friend at the agency and she said our papers have been submitted. Now we have to be patient and wait. We are told it could take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months to receive our referral. We are fifth on the waiting list and things seem to be running smoothly. So we are hopeful that it won't take the full six months.
February 12, 2000
We received a letter from INS stating they had not received our fingerprints yet. They seem to have lost them in the new computer system.
February 17, 2000
We went to get fingerprinted again. They apologized for the inconvenience.
February -
I have also been shopping for strollers and cribs this month with my sister and mother. It is hard to select anything since I don't know the age or size of the children yet. I hope this isn't going to be a long wait.
March 3, 2000
Received approved INS letter for adoption. Yeah! This is really going to happen!!! I wonder how much longer we will have to wait.
March 5, 2000
Spoke to our friend again to "touch base." We still have four families waiting ahead of us. I just think to myself how I need to stay busy so the time will pass quickly while we wait.
March 2000
I spoke to my supervisors at work to inform them about our plans and how unpredictable it is at this point. I don't know when I will travel "into motherhood". I have also researched day care in case I need it after I have the babies for a while. I know that you really need to plan ahead if you want what you feel is right for your children.
I also found out that after the referral, the time frame to travel and pick up the children seems to be a bit longer than it has been in the past. It is now a 4-5 month waiting period due to the processing of paperwork in this country as well as the eight level step process in Vietnam. WOW!
April 19, 2000
I call my agency again to see how things are going. She tells me everything looks good and to "hang in there". The three families that are now ahead of us are very close to their referrals and then we will be next. At this point I can't even imagine what it will be like the day I receive the phone call. I don't even know if the children we will be adopting are born yet, but I have a warm sensation that they are. I guess we will have to wait and see.
May 25, 2000
I still have not received our referral and I am trying to stay busy. My friend at work has just told me that she wants to make the quilts. She took me shopping to select the fabrics and the pattern. I am sooooo excited, yet nervous. My patience are wearing thin and I am starting to put up my guard because I am nervous about something stopping this adoption process unexpectedly.
June 2000
After receiving some positive feedback the last couple of months I am really beginning to get to my wits ends. Once again I called the agency and she told me that something was in the works, but she couldn't say anything until she had all of the paperwork she needed in front of her. All of the sudden I felt nervous and excited at the same time. I was going to be a parent in the near future. I just had that sense.
July 2000
Now it has been five months of waiting and I realize they said up to six, but I am really wondering what is going on. I call the agency again and tell her what I think is happening even though she has not told me anything specific. She was shocked and said I was on the right track. I figured they had two children selected for us, but there were some sort of complications holding up the process. She informed me that we still had one month to go and she really hoped it wouldn't take that time, but if it did we were still within our time frame.
August 2, 2000 (9:00 a.m.)
Today is the six month date, the end! I called the agency in the morning to try and talk to my friend, but she is in a meeting. I just want to know if today is it or not so I don't drive myself crazy sitting and waiting by the phone. Six months has been long enough for me and I just want to know this morning if I can add another day to the time waiting.
August 2, 2000 (11:45 a.m.)
August 2, 2000 (6:00)
The agency is returning my call and my husband answers the phone. He tells me who it is and I run downstairs to pick up a different phone. ( I am sure it is just the return phone call.) After I say hello I hear,"Are you sitting down?" Oh my gosh, it is my referral phone call.YEAH!!!!!!!!! We find out that there are two beautiful, healthy, young girls (6&7 months) waiting for us in North Vietnam. I am speechless. After the phone conversation we go to the agency to pick up papers and pictures. I still can't believe after all this waiting the time is finally here.
I go to the doctor's office to have the doctor look over the girls' medical reports. Everything looks fine.
August 2, 2000 (8:00)
Family members on my husband's side come to see the pictures and hear about our new children.
August 3, 2000
I travel to see my side of the family. My mother and I visit a Vietnamese restaurant to have them check over the translations. My parents have taken me to the restaurant in the past. They were so kind and helpful. I certainly learned a lot about Vietnam. My sister helped me scan the pictures so I can e-mail everyone about the good news!!!
August 4, 2000
Now it is time to be patient again. We will be completing more paperwork and working on Katharina's and Josephine's baby room while we are patiently waiting to travel and pick them up. We just can't wait! We hope it will be before Christmas!!!
August 2000
We have spent time this month on more paperwork. INS called wondering why we were missing some money with one of our forms. It turns out that since the girls are not biologically related we are charged for the same processing of papers twice. If they were related we would not have to pay an additional fee. This makes no sense to me since the girls are at the same orphanage, in the same country, and no additional papers had to be completed by me for this step. I know that if I argue about the payment my paperwork will be on hold, and I will not be able to finish the adoption process until things are settled. I feel like my hands are tied and I will do anything at this point to get the girls as soon as possible! (They know it too!)
September 15, 2000
Today we received our travel information packet. It is so exciting to know that we are one step closer to traveling and holding our children! Now we will have to make an appointment with the agency to meet and actually discuss the trip to Vietnam. We will continue to hope and pray that the time passes quickly until we meet Katharina and Josephine.
October 3, 2000
Today we received a phone call telling us to be prepared to travel on the 24th of October. We are going to have a travel meeting on the 9th, Monday. When I asked if this was the definite date to travel I was told it could still change. I guess we will just have to wait and see. One step closer each day.....
October 7, 2000
Today we went to receive the last of our shots so we could travel safely to Vietnam. Our pharmacy, as well as the others our doctor called personally, could not get the typhoid medicine that we needed. Another frustrating experience. Now I will have to make additional calls to see if we can get the medicine that our doctor recommends. Another little "kink" in the process for us.
October 9, 2000
On our way to the travel meeting we had felt that we would be receiving our tickets and schedule for Vietnam. We were wrong. We were told that our trip was not definite yet and that we should know "soon". What a disappointment! Once again we were led to believe one thing, and then it did not happen. This is such a frustrating process! Now we are hoping to find out IF we will travel during the month of October. What happened to all of the "positive", optimistic reports we had been given over the past two weeks? This has to be one of the world's worst roller coaster rides of emotions! Now we just get to wait again for more information...."FUN"?!
We did not receive the travel news that we were so anxious about, but we were told about the "additional" money that we would need to pay. The agency was not aware of these additional costs due to the fact that we are their first family to adopt two children at the same time. It has not only happened once, but now three times.
October 16, 2000
We just received word that our "possible" date to travel is now October 28, 2000. It is not definite yet! We will have to continue to wait for confirmation. Boy, this is frustrating!
We just continue to hope a pray that we will be able to get Katharina and Josephine soon...........
October 21, 2000
I went to visit my family in New York. Much to my surprise my mother and sister had a beautiful baby shower for me. Katie and Josie received so many wonderful gifts. It was just perfect!
October 23, 2000
The agency has called to inform us that our passports have been sent to be stamped...so things are looking good. We also have learned that we will not be traveling this weekend because a signature is still needed in Lang Son, so now we are looking at the possibilty of leaving on November 4, 2000.
October 28, 2000
Another wonderful baby shower was given for Katharina and Josephine; this time by my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law! Wow! Katie and Josie have so many people thinking about them and ready to shower them with love!
November 2, 2000
We were told that we will not be traveling on the fourth now either. Now the date has been changed to November 7, as the next possibility. We have also learned that if we do not travel next Tuesday, the seventh, then it doesn't look like we will travel until late November or early December. What a difficult and emotional past five weeks this has been. Hopefully good news will come our way tomorrow!
November 3, 2000
Today we found out that the trip has been called off for now. We will have to wait until after Thanksgiving. Hopefully we will travel early in December, but of course nothing is definite. I can't believe the emotions I have endured these past five weeks. I just have to find the strength now to continue to be patient and pray that our travel date will be here soon! No words can describe how I feel.
November 13, 2000
Today we received an updated picture of Katie and Josie. They are so cute....I can't wait to go to Vietnam!
November 17, 2000
I spoke to my friend at the agency today and found out that one of the girls' papers has been signed. Now we are just waiting for the other signature. All we can do is pray that the other signature is complete before the next trip to Vietnam. The next "tentative" date is in early December.
November 22, 2000
Today we found out that what the agency had told us last Friday is not necessarily true. She told us that one of the girls' paperwork is "farther along" than the other, not that it was signed. I wish this was getting easier, but it just seems to be getting more difficult. Our discussion also included how we might need to focus on traveling in January if we don't hear something within the next few days. I told our friend at the agency "not to go there." I feel as though I am at my breaking point with this process. I ended the conversation politely and quickly. This is just getting harder and harder for me.
Hopefully we will hear something positive by Monday. I know we have so many people supporting us with prayers and kind words. Thank you to all of you!
November 28, 2000
We did not receive a phone call until today, Tuesday. Now there is another update. We were told that one of the girls is ready to be adopted, but the other will not be ready until possibly March. They told us that we will hopefully travel on December 9, 2000. I am not sure whether to believe them or not since the date just continues to change...along with the story. They had no answer as to WHY we could not adopt Katie at the same time as Josie.
We were told that we are waiting on other families' paperwork to be completed so we may travel together as a group. If we do not travel on the ninth, the next date would be December 27, 2000.
December 1, 2000
We received a call today, Friday, from the agency. They told us that we would not travel on the ninth and that we are now looking at December 27, 2000, as our travel date. If we travel on December 27, 2000, it would be for Josie. Katie's paperwork is taking longer to process.
Our intentions were to travel to Vietnam and experience everything as a family of four. I have certainly learned, through my now seven year quest for motherhood, that not everything in life works out as planned. I am very thankful that I will at least have one of my girls soon. We are hoping that I will be able to make the second trip in March to pick up Katie.
It will be another childless holiday season. For now I keep telling myself that with each day that passes we are closer to getting both of our girls. I am not trying to rush through my life; I just want this waiting period to have an end. Right now I still don't know for CERTAIN when that might be. I will continue to hope and pray that it is in the near future.
December 15, 2000
We just received WONDERFUL news; we will be leaving for Vietnam on Jan. 1, 2000 for Josie. As we receive more information I will update this site. We can think of no better way to begin the new year than to go and see our girls! Merry Christmas to all!
December 30, 2000
We are finally all set and ready to travel. We will be leaving early Monday morning for Vietnam. It will be Jan. 3, 2000, when we finally land at Hanoi, Vietnam. The adoption process for Josie should be complete in about two weeks, at which time we will be returning. Unfortunately there is no chance that we will be returning with Katie. We are not sure how we will be able to handle leaving her behind. It is going to be the most difficult thing we have ever done.
Thank you again for all of your support and prayers. Part of our dream is finally coming true, and we will continue to focus and pray for Katie to come home in March.
Happy New Year to All!
January 14, 2001
We are home with Josie after a WONDERFUL experience in Vietnam. Everyone is adjusting to the new time frame, and of course Josephine is adjusting to everything. Once my life settles in a bit I will be sure to update this site with new pictures and more information.
March 6, 2001
It has been an interesting adjustment period for Josephine. Her "night terrors" are less frequent now, and she has finally accepted her crib as the place to sleep. Josie has also taken her first steps and is now into everything. She loves music and singing. Her grasp on the English language is growing in leaps and bounds. She doesn't talk yet, but repsonds with actions to what I am saying. It is going to be very hard to leave her for two weeks while I am in Vitenam adopting Katharina.
I do not have any travel news yet about my next trip to Vietnam. They have told me that as soon as Katharina's paperwork is cleared and Vietnam gives travel permission I will be on my way. Josie and I look at Katie's picture every day. It is wonderful to see Josie's eyes light up when she sees Katie. I can't wait to see them together again. (They were together in Vietnam) I will update this site again when I receive more information.
March 8, 2001
Once again I was on the phone with my friend at the agency. It took a while to finally get in touch with her. The information she had to give me was not that positive. When Katie's paperwork was asked about there was really no update. It seems that her paperwork is not going to be finished until they finish some other children's paperwork. I know it is only early March and I need to be patient, but I am really nervous about traveling again. I loved the actual trip; I just didn't like the nightmare of the dates being constantly changed and pushed off. They told me then that we should be adopting Katie in March. I am just praying that it all works out that way!
March 19, 2001
Unfortunately I still do not have any additional news about Katie Xuan's paperwork so obviously I have not heard anything about traveling to complete the adoption. March is now more than half over and I am praying more and more that I still travel during this month like I had been told. Not knowing the answer to the "WHY" question is the most difficult part....
March 29, 2001
Well, I just received the news that I feared most. It doesn't look as though I will be traveling obviously in March (Now that the month is over) or even April. The agency informed me that they hope I will be traveling mid-May. UUGH! I can't believe how much this process is hurting..... I just want my second daughter home and in our arms. For now I just have to hope and pray that it will be in May, or earlier, that I actually do get to travel and adopt Katharina. After all we did go through nine different travel dates before our first trip..... I know our acceptance forms for INS are only good until August 2001.
That is all for now...obviously I won't be updating this journal for a while unless I receive some different information. Thanks again for your continued support, thoughts, and prayers.
May 1, 2001
During the month of April we were given reports on the progress of Katharina's paperwork. It seems like they have worked out the complications and are now trying to finish the process. We have been told that they are still hoping and aiming for travel during this month of May. I certainly hope so.... It has been very difficult waiting, especially through another holiday, Easter, without Katie home. I just keep telling myself that I need to be patient and try to stay positive. If I do receive a definite date for travel I will be sure to put it in this journal ASAP. No date means I still don't know.....
Josie is really understanding the English language now. We are enjoying every precious minute with her while we wait for Katie. It truly is a blessing that Josie is home with us. We will be twice as thankful when Katie is with us too.
May 4, 2001
I just received word that I should travel on May 25th if all goes well. Of course no promises could be made, but at least I feel as if I am one step closer. I am now in the paperwork process again. Some of the paper work that was completed has to be re-submitted and other papers have to be processed again because they are not within the time frame anymore. I just continue to tell myself that all of this frustration is worth the end result...bringing Katharina home.
May 13, 2001
Happy Mother's Day!, or was it? It was wonderful to be with Josephine and be reminded that I was finally a mother, but my heart also continued to ache for my other daughter who is still on the other side of the world. To add to all of my mixed emotions I also received a phone call that evening telling me that things are still "looking good" except.....THAT DREADED WORD EXCEPT>>> Vietnam is now requesting an updated dossier. That is a huge amount of paperwork and of course will cost more money. UUGH! I felt I was at my breaking point! It was a long and sleepless night. The next day I was able, with the wonderful help of my friend at the agency, to run around like crazy and get the paperwork completed. I was very fortunate that everyone involved was so understanding, like at the doctor's office, police station, etc. So now we just have to wait for word again. Traveling on the 25th is still a possibility, but a very small one. No other date was given.
May 15, 2001
We just received a letter informing us about the "ADDITIONAL" money we owe for the updated papers as well as the unexpected second trip. We can't believe this is happening to us. There is nothing like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Our top priority is to get Katharina home.
Please pray that we will get this process over with soon and that Katharina will be home with us. Thank you!
May 23, 2001
We just heard this morning that I will be leaving in two days, on Friday for Vietnam. It has been a very tense week and we still have quite a bit to do with paperwork and packing. I am just so relieved that we are going to be able to complete this process in the near future. I have so many mixed emotions, the strongest one being excitement....I can't wait to hold on to Katharina and know that I will be bringing her home. This has been a very strenuous process, and the light at the end of the tunnel has just brightened considerably.
I am not sure if this web site will be updated while I am gone. I will certainly update it once we are back and have caught up on our sleep.
July 3, 2001
WOW! It was a very stressful trip that took longer than expected and had more frustrating moments than anyone should endure. Now it is thankfully over and Katharina is home with us. THANK GOD!
I left for Vietnam on May 25, 2001 and returned on June 15, 2001. We are ALL adjusting day by day. I know it will take some time. In the near future I will take the time to update this site with new pictures and more information about the last trip... if anyone is interested. Thank you for your continued patience, prayers and support. Your thoughts and prayers really helped me while I was away from home....more than you will ever know!!! God Bless!
August 2, 2001
It was a year ago today that we finally received our referral for two beautiful babies, and what a year it has been.
This last trip was a difficult one. I had to leave my husband and first daughter, Josie, home while I went to adopt our second daughter. Many different and conflicting emotions raced through me. I was upset and tearful as I missed my family at home, while I was excited and thrilled that I was finally on my way to adopting our second daughter, Katie.
To make a long story as short as possible, I was not able to officially adopt Katharina until 12 days after I had arrived in Hanoi. At that point all of the other families in my group had left with their children. I was very thankful that I was working through our particular agency because they were there for me 110%. Once I was finally able to adopt Katie I figured the most difficult part was over, but I was wrong.
Katie and I flew to Ho Chi Minh City to finalize the process by getting her Visa to return to the United States. We had all of the necessary paperwork including the pre-approval 171-H form. Much to our surprise Katharina's file was pulled by INS for review due to the fact that OTHER agencies are not always doing things correctly. I have never expereinced the anxiety and nervousness as I did for those few days. It was if I was sitting on a time bomb and ALL of the control was once again OUT of my hands. I kept questioning WHY would this happen to a family and agency that INS has known does things "BY THE BOOK". The answer....some agencies are not doing things correctly and they want to make sure everything is fine. What a feeling to know a child is finally yours, yet your own country may not allow you to bring her home when they had already pre-approved your adoption for this specific child. The feelings and frustration were beyond words.
After a two day waiting period we received the GREAT news that our adoption was fine. I have never been so relieved in my life. I was finally going to be able to get on a plane with our second daughter to bring her to her new home.
We are all home, safe and sound, and enjoy being a family. As I look back now, with our two wonderful daughters, I wouldn't change a thing. The journey was a challenging and very difficult one, but Katharina and Josephine are now our precious blessings!
I feel I need to warn anyone that is in the adoption process...You really need to investigate your agency and find out what provinces in Vietnam they are LICENSED to adopt from and ask for proof. Our agency was the only one with a license to adopt from the orphanage in our province, yet other agencies were also adopting from there. I met parents on the plane that were actually adopting from the same orphanage as I was, and now I know that their agency doesn't have a license to do so. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL!
FEBRUARY 2003
Now it has been over two years that we have had Josie home. Both Josephine and Katharina are growing so quickly. They are an absolute delight to watch interact. In all ways, including academically, they are excelling. We have been so blessed with two beautiful and wonderful children!
It is the strenuous times in life when support is needed. Our quest for a family has been challenging. Family and friends have helped us so much with their love, support, and prayers. We don't know how we will ever be able to thank them enough.......WE DO HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR!
Meet Josephine
Meet Katharina
Home Page
