Bad news...

On business day 43 of our wait for travel approval, we received an RFE (Request for Further Evidence). This means the US Embassy is questioning her orphan status. Recently the US has been hyper sensitive to hospital births. Birth mothers go to the hospital to give birth and give a false name and address. When the US goes out to do their investigation, they cannot locate the birth mother to question her...ah guys she gave a fictitious name because she does NOT want to be found. Nonetheless, the saga continues as we must fight to prove she was truly abandoned.

Fun facts about Vietnam

Here is some fun information about Vietnam:

1. Vietnamese national flower is Lotus flower.
2. Most common family name in Vietnam is NGUYEN (about 60% of population).
3. Biggest influence religion in Vietnam is Feudalism.
4. Vietnamese eat rice more than any country in the world.
5. Vietnam is #1 country in rice - export and second in coffee after Brazil ( 2007 ).
6. The biggest sport in Vietnam is football ( soccer ).
7. Vietnamese people often say "Where are you going?" instead of "Hello" when they see each other.

Adapted from www.vietvaluetravel.com

The beauty of adoption

My brother-in-law (Eric's brother) was adopted into the Groff family when he was eight years old from Korea. There has never been a distinction of a birth child versus adopted child in the Groff family.

Marty spent several years looking for his birth family and three years ago found them. He returned to Korea several times and this week his birth mother and extended family came to Portland. All eight of them!

Last night we met as one big family and it was awesome. It was the ideal adoption situation. Two families came together with happiness, joy and appreciation. The warmth and love that surrounded the room was surreal. I cannot imagine a better scenario than having two moms and the answers an adoptee must want. I can only hope Pearl is as lucky.

It's like Christmas...

Another couple are in the orphanage and sent some pictures...so here are some new ones of Pearl.

New pics of Pearl!!!

Hi all. A woman was at the orphanage today picking up her son and she sent me these pictures of Pearl. She is huge!!! Obviously appetite is not an issue. She is 6 months old.

Recent pictures of Pearl

Someone from Plan recently visited the orphanage where Pearl is located...check out the weight gain!

More paperwork

Well, we finished another round of paperwork (I600) and had it notorized on Saturday. Our social worker is visiting on Tuesday for a post-assignment visit. Not sure what the purpose is, but we will soon find out!