And Then One Day...

My sister wrote and illustrated this as a gift to our family. It is very special to D and I. We had the illustrations printed and bound into a book. I look forward to sharing this story with our precious boy. We are so blessed with loving friends and family! A

Song for Lucy

Dear sweet boy...

I almost lost my breath and tears filled my eyes... I saw your face today. My heart swelled with joy. More than I can imagine, my love for you already grows. I have stared at these pictures a thousand times. Each time I study every last detail. I am so lucky to have pictures of you over time.
In February, you were so tiny with a full head of spikey hair and almost two months old.

In May, you had filled out some. You have the face of an angel.

In July, you are fussy. I want to snatch you up and comfort you. The pictures are so precious to me, my connection to you. I can't wait to hold you in my arms. Until then I will see you in pictures and in my dreams. I love you dear sweet boy.

Cháo gà

I am well aware that I never finished part 2 of
Adventures in Pho post. I never explained why. I was hoping to try again with tastier results, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Let me just say that my first try at Pho was unpleasant. I will try again sometime. I'll keep you posted on that one.

Anyway, I tried another Vietnamese recipe tonight. This time I was very pleased with the final results. This newest culinary adventure brought me to Cháo gà (Vietnamese Rice Porridge with Chicken). There are many types of thick rice soups found in Asia. The key to this dish is "Comfort Food". Think a steaming hot bowl of chicken noodle soup or chicken and dumplings, when you aren't feeling well. It is valued for it's healing properties, a cure for what ails you.

It goes by many names and is served with different toppings depending on the country. Check out Things Asian for more information about this traditional dish.

The recipe I used can be found on the blog Halfway Between Ca Mau and Sai Gon. (It just so happens that our son is currently in an orphanage "Halfway Between Ca Mau and Sai Gon") Anyway, I was really happy with this recipe. It was very similar in taste to the homemade chicken and dumplings I make. The texture was different, obviously, but it was very comforting. It was a very simple dish, and required few ingredients. I cooked mine longer as the author suggested. It made for a thick and hearty dish. I have already saved this recipe. I see myself making this for our little boy when he is feeling under the weather.

I highly recommend this recipe. You should especially give it a try if you are expecting a little sweetie from Vietnam. Many babies are fed a version of Cháo in the orphanages. Please, let me know what you think.

Adoption Update - There aren't a lot of updates for us at this stage. It has been almost six weeks since we were matched with our baby boy. Our referral is estimated to take 6 - 8 weeks from the match. So, it could be anytime now, but likely at least a week or two. Our expired documents have been re-done and sent to the Embassy for authentication. We have filed for an extension of our I-600A pre-approval. There isn't a lot to do now, but wait. We did get a dresser to match the baby's crib. I can finally put the finishing touches on the nursery.

I think about our baby all the time. It's particularly hard when I try to get to sleep. I just pray that he's getting the attention and care that he needs, and that God will protect and comfort him. Please keep our little peanut in your prayers. A.

Pay it Forward Exchange

I got a great package in the mail this week from Hannah Claire's waiting mommy, Sarah. What a fun little project!

Now it's my turn to play!

So, here are the rules. I will send something special to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this exchange. You must make the same pledge on your blog. So, if you'd like something fun from me and you are willing to do the same on your blog, let me know! Please make sure you leave your blog address and email in the comment. I will email you to get your mailing address.

My Family

My head is still in the clouds since learning of our baby boy last week. I'm sure that I will be getting very anxious for the referral soon. Right now, I am just so thrilled to have made it this far. I'm content.

I have been very busy getting paperwork ready. Our fingerprints, police letters, and medical letters have all expired. We also need an update to our home study. Everything is well on it's way to being done.

My other project while waiting for our referral is to gather photos. I found the sweetest baby photo album the day we were matched. It is plush and shaped like a little house. It says "My Family" on the front. I plan to fill it full of pictures of friends and family. I want to send the album to our baby via another traveling family. I want to tag the pictures in English and Vietnamese. I'm excited to put it all together.

This has been a great week for us and our fellow adopting families... lots of matches and referrals! We are glad to share this happy time with the other families and hope to travel with some of them. I hope we will have more news to share very soon! A.

Dear sweet boy...

Today I learned of you. I know where you are and about when you were born. The rest is still a mystery. So, I wonder...
Are you smiling?
Is someone holding you?
Does someone comfort you when you cry?
Can you feel Gods hands reaching down to you as I pray for your protection?

Today, I feel one step closer to you. I wait for the day I will see your face and hold you in my arms.

Until now, I have had a dream of you … Today there is a promise of you… and that will have to be enough for now.

I love you sweet, sweet boy.