Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Return to Ho Chi Minh City






This afternoon we drove back to Ho Chi Minh City. Even though it was a long drive, it was such an interesting trip that it didn't seem so long. Ephraim was a great traveler, and we made several stops along the way. We stopped at another rest stop for lunch. Nearly all the businesses are open in the front and many businesses and restaurants have really nothing more than an overhanging roof. Again, the food was wonderful! I could eat Vietnamese all the time! The seafood and the fruit are the best! The pictures of the snakes in the bottles aren't for show. This is snake wine and available at all bars and groceries. When we got back to Ho Chi Minh City, we checked back into The Rex and Thuy took us over to the Tax Market for groceries, diapers, formula, bottles and baby food. By the way, The Rex Hotel has an interesting history.

It was originally a French garage, was enlarged by the Vietnamese, and was used as CIA headquarters from 1962 to 1970. They are doing a massive renovation right now because they hope to be a five-star hotel. The construction didn't bother us, but it was a little disappointing that the pool was closed. It's so hot and muggy here, it would have been nice to take a quick dip in the evenings. We do have a large tub though, so Ephraim has enjoyed "swimming" each night before bed.

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Lilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker

Referral Picture

Referral Picture

Adoption Timeline

  • 2006
  • November 8 - Application Mailed
  • November 22 - Accepted
  • November 24 - I-600A Mailed
  • November 27 - Delivery Confirmed
  • November 28 - Receipt of I-600A
  • November 30 - Fingerprint Notice
  • December 15 - Home Study Update
  • December 21 - Stacey Fingerprinted
  • December 28 - Added to List (#116)
  • 2007
  • January 24 - Home Study Mailed
  • January 25 - Ben Fingerprinted
  • February 8 - Waiting List (#111)
  • February 20 - Waiting List (#109)
  • February 27 - Waiting List (#105)
  • March 8 - Waiting List (#101)
  • March 22 - Waiting List (#99)
  • April 19 - Waiting List (#98)
  • April 25 - Dossier Authentication
  • May 2 - Delivery Confirmed
  • May 2 - Added to SN Wait List
  • May 3 - Waiting List (#97)
  • June 7 - Waiting List (#86)
  • June 25 - Dossier Translated
  • June 28 - On Waiting List Six months
  • July 9 - Waiting List (#81)
  • August 6 - Waiting List (#4 SN)
  • August 8 - Waiting List (#76)
  • September 7 - Waiting List (#70)
  • October 8 - Waiting List (#67)
  • October 22 - Waiting child -- OURS!!
  • October 23 - Official Referral Date
  • October 25 - Letter #1 Submitted
  • October 29 - Referral Receipt - CHI
  • 2008
  • February 5 - Fingerprint Request
  • February 7 - Proof of Delivery
  • March 1 - All Fingerprinted
  • March 3 - I-600 Application Mailed
  • March 5 - I-600 Acknowledgement
  • April 17 - I-600 Approval!
  • May 2 - Original G & R Date
  • May 3 - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
  • May 5 - MEET EPHRAIM!
  • May 6 - Drive to Kien Giang
  • May 7 - G & R Ceremony
  • May 8 - Medical, Apply for Passport
  • May 12 - Fly to Hanoi
  • May 13 - Visa appointment at USCIS
  • May 14 - Pick Up Visa, Fly Home
  • May 15 - Arrive in Nashville!
  • May 23 - Certificate of Citizenship
  • June 12 - Re-Adoption Filed by Court
  • July 3 - Tennessee Birth Certificate

G & R Day

G & R Day