Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J- and I are happy to announce that after 237 days we now have I-600 pre-approval. That's right, we have it. We are so relieved to be able to say we are heading to Vietnam! Hopefully, the G&R will come fast. (Yeah right, I know what you are thinking). It is just too exciting. I can't believe I have to go to work and teach all day. Too excited!

Swing set

J- and I have talked about getting a swing set for over 3 years. We have a nice flat back yard for setting one up. We just couldn't find one we liked. Finally, thanks to the internet, I found one we both like. Tatertot loves monkey bars and swinging. She loves to slide. This one has a place for brother's swing and another one for her. They are going to be set. We have a friend coming over to help J- pour the concrete and get it set-up. I am going to cook spaghetti for dinner. Then, off to work for the guys. I'll post a picture when it is up.

Nothing yet

Looks like we will be waiting until next week to hear the status of the field investigation. I am anxious to hear, but just so relieved that the field investigation finally took place!! It was beginning looking like it was never going to happen.

Last night we went to a local festival. We ate, did some shopping and then went to the balloon glow. It was a fun night. I found the cutest denim jacket with a dragon on it for the baby. We are doing a dragon theme for his room. Last year, I found him a jute rope dragon. We also got him a tie-dye onesie and Tatertot a tie-dye sun dress. It was her favorite summer dress. This year, I found the jacket for him and got her several hair bows.

Her hair is getting so long. I have been talking to her about donating it for several months. She was not sure about doing it until her principal donated hers. Only another 1.5 inches and she will have it long enough. She wants it long enough that she doesn't have really short hair.

We are getting together with Tatertot's travel group today. She calls the girls her "sisters". The girls are growing so fast. Three of the families are waiting to travel back to China for their second child. So, the group is growing. It is so great having 7 of the 9 girls within 90 miles of each other. We make it a priority to get the girls together as often as possible. I think the grown-ups enjoy as much as the kids. Oops, guess I better get started on the cupcakes we are taking. Such fun and messy things to eat!

Signs your child hears everything you say...even when you think they are in the other room.

4. "Mama, I am sick of waiting for my baby brother. Aren't you?"
3. Mama, "Will baby brother ever get to come home?"
2. Crying in the saddest way possible, "I miss my baby brother."
1. Number one reason... Yesterday, Tatertot was singing, "I-600, oh I-600".

I was rolling on the floor laughing. Kids!

POWER

The power went out around noon on Sunday. 60-75 mph winds were blowing. We were at my Dad's for the weekend, so we weren't here.

I will say that the weather was wonderful for having electricity out. It was amazing how many people you saw outside. I saw people out sitting on porches, working in yards ( debris was everywhere), and cooking out.

We got the electricity back last night at 9:00. Tatertot is enjoying the TV this morning. I know I really missed the computer!

Conference call with USCIS

Yeah!! FINALLY!!

All Thahn Hoa field investigations have been completed.

We were told by Deputy Officer of USCIS that, as of yesterday, all of the cases that have filed I-600's had been completed. What great news!!

The only concern J-and I have is that Coung was found by a family from a different province. That means the USCIS may need to send someone to that province to talk to the person/family that found him. We do have that person's name and address, so that is a good thing. USCIS told us we could hear about our case by next Friday or first of the following week.

This afternoon, J-is personnally calling USCIS to discuss our case and the issue we have with the person being from a different province.

Cooler weather

I am so excited to have the cooler weather. I don't like hot weather or humidity. Nice weather!

I spent the morning working at Tatertot's school. I helped with the book fair, spent 1.5 hours working in her class, then I worked in the office making copies. A good morning.


I am going to teach a lesson on Autumn Moon Festival next Tuesday in Tatertot's classroom. I am telling the story of the fable behind Autumn Moon, doing a craft, and will have a snack. It will be a lot of fun.



We will go to the FCC Autumn Moon Festival next weekend (20th). They have a lot of really fun activities for the kids. Last year, the kids wrote letters to their birth family, rolled up the paper and tied it to a balloon. Then, we went outside and released the balloons. It was very moving. It concludes with a Lantern Parade. The kids all bring a lantern and we walk around the grounds. It is fun seeing all the different lanterns.



Not that we are counting... today is 124 days waiting for our I-600.