Another family updates us on Jake!

Well, we haven't heard anything from CHI lately. The family I was in contact with recently is now home from Vietnam. I met another family through CHI who just went to Vietnam to pick up their child in the same orphanage as Jake. She was kind enough to let me mail her a gift so that she could take it over with them. We sent him a little car and a stuffed animal. I received an email from her today and she said he was very excited to get it. I wish I could have seen his face! I had sent her pictures of Jake and she said she recognized him immediately and he actually followed her out in the courtyard while she was trying to bond with her new son. She said he was doing his "fake" grin that we have seen in other pictures of him. Even though we haven't met him yet I am beginning to think he might be a little "ham"! It pleased us when she said he was easy to smile. She took a few pictures and will try to send them later. I am sure it is very busy trying to bond with a toddler. We haven't heard any new news but we are getting all the information together for shots required to travel in Vietnam. Hope everyone has a great week!

Newest pictures of Jake

I received these pictures of Jake from a friend who is getting ready to leave Vietnam after getting her son. She sent me these pictures on her blog. They are about a week old...so very current pictures of Jake.

Everything is in CHI's Hands

Well, we finally got our fingerprints renewed and our I 171 sent back to CHI. We had to do some more paperwork to fix the problems we were having with Rick's passports since we had disposed of his old one when we got the new one. I finally got everything in the mail today and it is once again the waiting game. Rick and I both feel like we could get a call any time but it could be just wishful thinking. A friend that has been in Vietnam (and was so kind to take pictures of Jake and measure his foot for me) is probably getting close to being on her way home. I can't believe it.....very exciting. Her experiences in Vietnam have sounded so positive and it is getting us really excited.

Soccer is finally over and it has been really nice. We have had time to actually sit and eat as a family (at home!) and the kids have had time to play after homework is done. We almost forgot what it was like to be at home! Nadia starts basketball again this weekend but the schedule is much less demanding than soccer. Luke is enjoying his gymnastics class and it is nice to be able to take it during the day when the girls are in school. He feels really big that we are doing something just for him.

Have a great week! Hope to report something soon.

Our precious son and brother to Nadia, Mia and Luke

We thought we would share some photos we have received from our agency or friends who have traveled to Vietnam recently. Jake is really growing up fast. We can't wait to bring him home!
Natalie and Rick


Hmmm....let me think about that!
I am a happy boy!

Now, who are you taking my picture?

Look mommy and daddy! I can walk! My first steps! I am a big boy!

Another Busy Weekend

Ma teaching Nadia how to sew!

Pa in his favorite place...right in the middle of his grandkids!


Look at that handsome man!!!
Such a pretty ma!!!
Big Luke and Little Luke!
Ma and Pa at the kid's school program

Pa and Ma on a walk with Nadia and Mia
Together Forever.
One cool guy.

The master gardener!

Today we had three soccer games and finally finished our season. We had our soccer party for Mia's team afterwards and the kids had a great time. Rick was the coach for Mia's team and he really had a great time. We met a lot of new families and hope we get to play with them again next spring. Nadia's team lost their first game in over three seasons. It would have been a bigger deal to everyone but just before the game we learned that a child from our school tragically lost his life in a car wreck coming home from our school's last football game the night before. It made the game seem pretty "un"important and quickly reminds us how quickly life can change. Our hearts are aching with their family tonight and hope you can keep them in your prayers.

Tonight we had a Fort Smith adoption group dinner and we had a great time. We did it "pot luck" style and the kids all run around and play with each other while the parents all swap adoption stories. Many of the families are in the waiting phase and it is fun for us to see all of the adopted children and how well adjusted and happy they all seem. One family has four children they have adopted and they are the neatest family....very inspiring to us. It is really nice to have a local group you can talk with that has been through or going through the same emotions and experiences.

Well, there isn't a lot to update on today so I will add a few more pictures. I will send some pictures of Jake's ma and pa tonight. They are awesome grandparents and have so many things they teach to all their grandchildren. Our kids love them and feel so loved by them. Jake is going to be one lucky little guy to have ma and pa as grandparents....just ask Nadia, Mia and Luke! Natalie

Finally Friday

Jake's cousin Andrew...Future Olympic Medalist in Swimming


Nadia, Mia and Luke with cousin Carra at the horse barn

Aunt Julie with her very big horse!

Nadia and cousin Carra with Flash
Mia with cousin Will "best buddies"


Uncle Mike and Aunt Julie (Mike, where is your suit?)

Cousins Andrew, Will and Carra

Natalie (Me), Mom (better known as "Ma") and Aunt Julie
Jake you are gonna love your ma and pa and all your extended family!




Well, I still didn't get my fingerprint renewal today. I am hoping it comes in next week since Rick got his back so fast. We have been told Fort Smith Immigration office is one of the more efficient offices. We are just lacking some updated paperwork from our social worker and then it is back to US Immigration Office in Vietnam. I met another lady online from our adoption group chat room and she is leaving for her son next week. He is in the same orphanage as Jake and was so kind to offer to take a gift to Jake for us. We took the kids to Toys R Us tonight and the picked out a small stuffed puppy and a little tiny truck. We have to find something small because they ask those who are traveling to pack as lightly as you can for two weeks!

Tomorrow Nadia will be playing in the end of the season soccer tournament for 1st place (or 2nd... ). They haven't lost a game in 3 seasons now and we are playing a good team tomorrow. A lot of the girls on the other team are her friends and travel on the same soccer team so it is hard for them to play each other. Rick is coaching Mia's team this year and they have their last two games tomorrow too. We are having their soccer party after the game. Just when I thought we would have the weekends to rest Nadia decided to sign up for basketball! She starts practice tomorrow. We really are happy for her to be so excited to try something new. Luke is such a good boy to tag along to all of their activities...and he never complains. Give him a snack and a few trucks to play with and he is happy! He did start gymnastics this year and he loves it. Well, it has been a long busy week and I am going to put my feet up. I posted a few pictures tonight of Jake's aunt and uncle and cousins from Houston. Until next time.....

No New News

Well, another day of no new news. We had to get our fingerprints redone last week (they expired according to CIS)...as if our fingerprints have changed! Anyways, we got them done and Rick has already gotten his approval back. I am still waiting on mine! Rick also had to renew his passport because it had expired and we did not know that we would have to keep the old one. CHI called and said we would need it in Vietnam so we are having to do some paperwork and having it notorized. Who would have thought you would need an old passport when you have a new current one? We don't question the process too much even though it doesn't always make sense to us. We know in the end all the paper work will be more than worth it when we have Jake in our arms. Just thought I would entertain you with some pictures while we continue to wait. Have a great Thursday! Natalie








Uncle Jeff and Luke at the Beach





Luke waiting for his hotdog at his birthday cookout!



Nadia and Mia before school