8 days to go!!...

oh my gosh....have moments where I pinch myself!!....tonight I received a copy of my Letter of No Objection, an email from the agency letting me know it has been sent to Vietnam and a FedEx envelope with my passport with the Vietnam Visa stamp, itinerary, and e tickets printed up, mine and Matteo's.......I've been told that the e-ticket for Matteo on the return needs to be printed up again, mine too, if I need to change our return flights otherwise the e-tickets have been printed up already. We are scheduled to return Dec. 9, but I'm hoping that that will be earlier!! if possible...

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Almost 9 days to go and speaking of baby ticket problems?....

Just wanted to post that I went back and forth with the travel agent that TDH uses for travel plans and again he is telling me noone has told him that they have had trouble with the baby ticket etc etc....so I am encouraging anyone who did have trouble and used this agency in Montreal, and had difficulties that you let them know and cc Dorinda on your message...They can't fix what they don't know and I'm sure in the days after everyone's return, the focus was just on getting resettled...but maybe now if you had some time you could explain so that the same thing doesn't continue to happen!! Thanks!!

10 days and Prayers for Liam....

Of course like many others one of the first things I do with my coffee (when I can) is to check out the blogs for any adoption updates from other families...last night heard from another family who got great news and this morning read about Liam, a little boy who just met his parents in Ho Chi Minh, and is now struggling with a bronchial infection. I actually saw a photo of Liam with his parents and another little girl Sarah. Sarah is waiting for her mommy too and I have been in touch with her as we have been sharing this journey and had hoped to travel together. Liam's parents graciously took photos of Sarah at the orphanage and sent them to her, just as Lea took photos of Matteo as she was picking up her son Zeke. Anyhow Liam and his parents are struggling and have asked for prayers so will include Liam in my prayers today and each day as I continue to prepare to meet my little boy. Dear God please watch over Liam and bring him back to health and please continue to give his parents much strength and courage to help him. I pray that through this experience they will all bond together as a family and share and prepare for a lifetime of memories.....

Hi Paula, thanks for your comment regarding Matteo's ticket. I did mention to the travel agent the fact that parents have had trouble with the baby tickets, (I am using TDH's travel agency in Montreal).... And he told me that I should and would not be asked to pay anything extra and that no parents had complained? So not sure if this happened to parents who used other travel agencies but I have heard this more than once that parents end up paying extra??.....maybe for those who use the TDH recommended travel agency, that when everyone gets back they don't contact him etc...but if you have already paid or thought you paid then you shouldn't pay again...he said...Matteo's ticket is costing me $290.00. Anyhow if you haven't spoken to your travel agency about what happened, I hope you do....because if there is a problem, this agency isn't aware of it??

As for today, just about to go and get the car after getting the winter tires put on. It is going to be strange going from -1 temperatures to + 26 and back to cold again....the plan for day 10 is to make some tomatoe sauce to bottle and have ready to use for the days when I return....maybe make some soup to freeze too, make a hair appt. and pedicure appt. for next week and then finish the draft of a text that I have been working on to send off to the various readers..

.....last night I had burst of adrenaline (I think it was the photos) so ended up repacking Matteo's luggage...he's got the bigger one, and I did manage to close it and even be able to lift it...make it a rule never pack something I can't carry myself.....my luggage and my things will be on the agenda for next weekend...bringing one of those suitcases that can be enlarged for the journey back should I have time to fill it with gifts...hope I can get to Vietnam quilts to get some of their Christmas decorations....they do beautiful work and it helps women to be employed and many of them are the sole providers for their families....you can find out more about this women's co-op here.

Just a final request for others to pray for Liam too!....Thanks for letting us know Christine....

11 days and 5 more photos.....

To my joy this evening, I received 5 more photos of Matteo taken yesterday, so these will be his 5 month photos...He is already standing in his little crib!! uh uh.....anyhow he is adorable if I say so myself and hope that before long I can post these photos so I can more easily share them!!

About a month ago in the Oct. 4th photos, he had scabies, but in these recent photos and those of Oct. 20, his skin looks clear and blemish free, so hope I won't need to treat him for it....

Things are progressing. Items that got crossed off the list, Blue Cross medical insurance for Matteo, travel health insurance for me, swimming diapers for Matteo, cat food and cat litter for the other boys, found the travel electrical plug, and finalized the travel itinerary. Flying to Toronto, then Hong Kong and then to Ho Chi Minh. Arriving mid-morning on the 18th. Hope to go directly to Vung Tau if I can!!

Still have a few more things on the agenda but am sure they will get done slowly but surely!!. Want to see if I can close Matteo's suitcase this weekend ...so that is top on the list!...

Another family from out west left for Hanoi yesterday.....it was great to follow their countdown on their blog...actually they may have already arrived??

Otherwise am enjoying these recent photos that make me feel he is even closer!!...and of course counting down the days...eleven to go!!..

13 days to go!!

Thanks for the comments...it isn't so much that I don't have time to do everything I need, but it just seems that the emotions are definitely all over the place.....I will have 4 days off before travel and hope before then to have most things done, suitcases closed, and will just have to relax and enjoy the last few days of knowing this journey is finally coming to its rightful conclusion!!...anyhow trying to take it one day at a time, one item at a time!!...but so looking forward to getting on that plane!! Just hope I can handle the roller coaster of emotions...time seems to be going very fast though!!!...

only 15 days to go...

Got my travel itinerary today and discovered that I am really leaving late on Nov. 16, with a very early in the morning of the 17th flight out to Hong Kong...so a shorter time until travel. Seems like there are still things to do...most of the baby things are packed, now I need to deal with my things and of course there is still work....go between excitement, panic, joy, to what am I doing, to feeling so full of love!!....so so many emotions and all over the place...is this normal??

Travel confirmed for Nov. 17....18 days to go...

Well got a note from the agency tonight that I am booked to leave on the 17th with another family!! G&R may be on the 19th, but more likely the 22, or 23rd......so what wonderful news to get on Matteo's 5th month birthday!!....While I was hoping to leave on the 12th and get there sooner than later, I am glad to be having company for the trip!! and of course still hoping that before my birthday on the 24th, Matteo will officially be my son!! So can now begin a countdown...