Endings…..create special memories….

Well we've had a few busy days….last week we went to Matteo's daycare's summer potluck and Matteo finally got his face painted. He had been asking me to do this for sometime, though there were no opportunities to do this….and finally at this event, he got his chance. He chose a cat of course and the photo is actually a selfie, (though he didn't push the button)…but as you can see he was very proud of what he saw.

The second was taken during a fabulous family picnic to Silver lake. We had been trying to do this for a few weeks but the weather did not oblige. It was to be Matteo's first boat outing and he went twice with zio Tony, and wanted to go again. He loved it and is becoming more and more adventurous in the water which is great.

So while daycare time for Matteo is really over, (though if all goes well we'll be returning to the same daycare for Malio) and the summer is coming to a close, we have tried to enjoy each and every event and moment.  There have been many good memories for the summer of 2014 with the exception of the one bad memory of losing our beloved cat Micio.

Life is fleeting, moments will never come again, so we try to always be grateful for the blessings that we have, pray for strength and courage when challenges come our way, and always embrace the joy of special moments like the first face painting and the first boat ride.

Bad news and Good news…...

…well the bad news first…looks like I still have to complete the home study which may mean more time and definitely more money; however, ...

….the good news is that an extension will still be sought (and should be received) and technically, once the extension is received then it, with the other documents needed can proceed with completing the Article 16 process in Vietnam, so that the "official" referral can be processed.

In the interim, the new updated home study can be registered so that the period that the home study expired, will be covered and then hopefully both processes won't interfere with each other, but will work together.

  So, all that is left for me to do for the home study are the medical updates, one for Vietnam and one for Ontario, which hopefully will be done next week!

….At this point, my understanding is that the extension granting will not be held up until the update is finalized, which was my fear, and really it is the extension that is more important at the moment, though the home study update is still also important.

  Are you sufficiently confused!!  Basically, if all goes as explained and planned and hoped for, the adoption should still take place before December, well in advance of the timelines I was originally given. Which is still VERY WONDERFUL!!

Malio I would jump through hoops of fire for you!!!  For now the hoops are all wrapped in words on papers!!  Continuing to pray that it all comes together!!

The ups and downs of the adoption paperwork dance...

…well the excitement of yesterday has turned to caution and worry today…the first paperwork glitch..seems that as my home study has already expired, just 10 days ago, there may be a problem with requesting the extension and I may need to do the home study update anyhow!!…While this may not interfere a lot with the timelines (more money spent though), though processing time may be a bit longer, they are still hoping the adoption can still take place before the end of the year.  Of course the extension is the quicker route and the update may take longer processing, though no one knows how long. For now the agency will try to advocate on our behalf for the extension to be sought so that we can move the paperwork process forward a bit quicker.

….needless to say, my heart sunk today when I got the phone call and if it wasn't for the fact that two adoption families were visiting with their recently adopted children, and I could think of something else,  otherwise I might have stewed in sadness for longer…..I've heard it before and I thought  of it today…adoption is not for the faint of heart….and this paperwork dance does not have the best interest of the children at heart at all, just a bureaucracy trying to make sure the "t's" are crossed and "i's" are dotted!….

For now, I'm praying this is only a cautionary setback and not really anything that will amount to a significant delay!!  Malio we're thinking of you and hoping to get to you sooner than later!  Mommy and big brother will be there as soon as we can!

Happy 7 month birthday Malio Dinh!

Well it will be a memorable birthday for sure Malio!  I had been feeling a bit down about the long travel time and especially after getting some videos which were both wonderful to see but also sad as he is so real but so far….so we've been staying close to home, trying to stay positive about the adoption, trying to make the most of our downtime (esp. despite our very wet weather), with some gymnastics for Matteo, and some naps for mommy, some preparations for September, kindergarten for Matteo, a new school for mommy, a new car booster seat for Matteo (still to install) and making lots of lists…..and lots of praying too…big brother Matteo is often the one who mentions Malio and wanting him home. I've been telling him to pray to God that timelines change and that Malio stays strong and healthy until we can go and get him and that we can go sooner rather than later.

….to our wonderful surprise, prayers do get answered, I got a very special email yesterday from Vietnam that told me that Article 16 was ready to be issued but is waiting on my paperwork…it seems that I no longer need a home study update, just a home study extension and three documents, two that are already done, and one to go, in order to finish processing the 16!!!  That means travel before Christmas and might mean that travel will be in November as it was with Matteo!! So both a great birthday present for me, yet again, and a wonderful Christmas at home!

Here's praying there are no glitches with my paperwork, and our prayers continue to be answered!!

Such a surprise and a great birthday present for all of us to remember Malio's 7 month birthday!!

Last day of pre-school forever and ever…..

…mommy was more emotional than Matteo…this is how he posed for me on the morning of August 1st.  While the walk to preschool was emotional….Matteo will be attending kindergarten in the same building as his daycare so will still be able to see all his wonderful caregivers…the two kindergarten classes are also on the same level as the senior toddler room, so technically we are only changing rooms but the move this time is HUGE, or that's how it feels to mommy!!