Shopping for Halle-Grace so she'll always remember her birth country!

One of my friends, Sherri, who adopted precious Kaitlyn from Vietnam in early 2007 gave us the coolest idea...while she was in Vietnam she boughts gifts for Kaitlyn that she gives to her on her birthday each year as a reminder of where she was born! I loved this idea so tonight we went downtown and did some shopping. Some of the items Halle-Grace will not get until she is much older (like a tea set...I want one for myself)! Other items include a jewelry box and so on! I may give her the gifts on her adoption day (Sept. 1st) each year as her birthday is in November. Just not sure...we have time to figure that one out. Jason is sleeping with the princess so his blogging will come later. Tomorrow night, we pick up nanny at the airport! We are excited to see her and I am sure she is somewhere on THAT LONG FLIGHT to Vietnam from Atlanta!

OH, we didn't make it to KFC...we ate at an excellent Italian Restaurant and it was SO YUMMY!!! Oh, I miss the food back home!

I have attached a photo of mom & Halle-Grace and one of her in her Vietnamese hat! She's funny! Daddy is getting sad!!! Pray for Jason. Boarding that plane on Friday is working on him. If Gabby were not at home waiting, we may have HUGE problems. We just pray that we will all be united again SOON at home in NC!

Good Night from Vietnam!

Reality of Friday is closing in on us....No Mer, I am not talking about your arrival....LOL!!!

Today has been very emotional! The fact that Jason will be going home Friday is quite overwhelming! Halle-Grace changes so much as the days pass and I don't want him to miss a thing!! He is the PERFECT daddy!!! He has done everything that I have with her and more! He changes dirty diapers, prepares bottles, reads to her, takes her for stroller and Baby BJourn rides and lets her pull on his ears and nose (I don't allow that)! Thanks to our family and friends for your constant support and love... and more than anything the prayers!

Friday is also a date of celebration! One year ago, September 12, 2007 Jason donated a kidney to Scott Thornburg. One year later, Scott and Jason are both doing FANTASTIC! God is GOOD!

We are finally finished with our 24 page response (that does not include any exhibits..that will make it close to 100 pages). We are hoping to submit SOON! We are waiting on our adoption agency to send us copies of the affidavits then it is GOING TO USCIS. PLEASE BE IN PRAYER about this document that holds the key to Halle-Grace becoming an American citizen and allowing us to re-enter the United States of America! It seems weird to even type those words, but I am afraid it is VERY real!

Tomorrow night Nanny arrives in Hanoi (Dana, I have NO idea how she will function without a Wal-Mart and by the way, the Hyland Teething Tablets are GOLD)! Our child will never be the same once "nanny" gets a hold of her. You think she is rotten now, OH MY!

Another exciting happening is the arrival of my roomie and Halle-Grace's friend from the orphanage...Mer & Lulu! Mer and her husband, Tim will have their G&R Ceremony of Lulu next Monday. Tim can only stay a week, so Mer and I, along with the girls will be here in Hanoi at the Somerset Hoa Binh until the US Government issues Halle-Grace & Lulu their American visas. Remember there are 40+ of us in this LIVING nightmare.

Jason promises to blog tonight...we are SO excited to go to KFC!! I know you are laughing but Pho is OUT! I am so ready for some fast food, junk food, SUNDROP...
We are ALL ready to be home as a family and can't wait to see how Halle-Grace reacts to Gabby! Gabby LOVES children so I know she will be great, however, WILD WOMAN (Halle-Grace) may scare poor Gabby! LOL

We love you all and thank you for the continued prayers!!!

The Devines in Vietnam