Happy Birthday

1st Day of 1st Grade!

All fresh, brand new school year! Watch out world!

What is your cross?

In life every single person is given a cross. Some are large, some small, some grow as we live and mature, some fade as we live and mature. However what do you do when the cross is so heavy? Lay it down and walk away? Try harder, pick it up and continue, continue to the end? What did Jesus do? A cross has been placed in your hands, an opportunity that you choose to see or walk away from. Then others pray they are never given chances have they ever opened up their eyes to the crosses that are placed in their hand?

Ok world, Here are the facts, what should we do?

We have been in process 2.5 years with our adoption from Viet Nam, second set of fingerprints have a few months left on them. We are #1 with our agency to review the next file of a child. Our agency has no other programs that we qualify for (just found this out TODAY!), so here are the options.

Stay with our agency and not loose the dossier fee of about $4000 hoping for a short closure.

Find another agency and country with a shorter list and loose the $4000 to start fresh

Our agency did not pass the Hague, so even if Vietnam opens what are the new twists going to be (only work with Hague agency's?), hopefully they can reapply this fall.

We are each having another birthday this year, so this make us age out of many options.

To come up with the dossier money:
We auctioned off a very old grandfather clock with an oil painting on the top of it.

Cleaned out a house of a very old lady that died, 70years worth of items, it took about 3mths to do this.

No Movies, No Dinners out, No out of state Vacations or unnecessary travels.

Kept the thermostat very low

Cleaned the snow out of the driveway, not hired done, planted a garden, put up food.

Can't remember the last time I purchased any personal items.

We accepted hand me downs, actually very nice ones, for kids clothes.

Can't remember the last time I used the clothes dryer, all laundry is hung on the line, winter included. I only wash in cold water, never hot.

Still driving the Blazer SUV into the ground, going semi-strong at 190K miles!!!

I am sure we are not the only family having such a hard time, but this is truly a kick in the teeth. No child, no money refunded. I am just sick.

Spring 2008 Local Pancake Breakfast

Photo of family with our Senator after discussions of our issues with adoptions in Vietnam. Not too bad for a family photo, just have to crop him out, Christmas cards already!

Positive talk!

To protect children, central agencies to manage adoption
22:06' 25/08/2008 (GMT+7)

Mr. Vu Duc Long
VietNamNet Bridge – Speaking to correspondents on the sideline of a meeting reviewing the implementation of the bilateral agreement on adoption between Vietnam and the US, Head of the Ministry of Justice’s International Adoption Agency Vu Duc Long said the management of adoption will be centralised.
The case in Nam Dinh revealed that state agencies, including the International Adoption Agency, respond too slowly and ineffectively, didn’t it?
Our difficulties were shortages of information and power.

What is the direction of this case?
There will be no change for the children who were adopted. The violators in Vietnam will be penalised, the adopted children will not be brought back to Vietnam.
Provincial Departments of Justice are in charge of checking and approving adoption files, so what is their responsibility if violations are detected?
It depends on the seriousness of violations. But it is very difficult to verify adoption documents if they are sophisticated counterfeits, because criminals begin forging documents when children enter orphanages.
So who will be sued by families who lose their children?
If their children are kidnapped, they have to sue the kidnappers or those who lend a hand to the kidnappers. We have the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention. In the case in Nam Dinh, it is very difficult to prove kidnapping.
What do you think about provinces permitting the establishment of orphanages which are very poor in facilities?
The happiness of an American couple who have a Vietnamese adopted child.
The orphanage in Nam Dinh is a district-level unit, while district-level management is very poor. This is a lesson. Some provinces have inspected local orphanages and closed down some units, for example the Viet Lam orphanage in Phu Tho province.
Some orphanages in southern provinces are being inspected. If district-level orphanages don’t have good facilities and are not managed well, they will be closed.
The recent US report on adoption in Vietnam said that some officials of the International Adoption Agency received money under the table or accepted overseas tours. What is your opinion about it?
They overstated officials demanding overseas tours or going shopping. The information is inaccurate. It is necessary and normal for officials to be invited to visit adopted children abroad to check and exchange information between related sides. They were voluntarily invited and Vietnam seriously observes regulations.
They said Vietnamese officials raised difficulties to seek profit. That’s not good. We have asked the US side to send us financial reports of Vietnamese delegations. If they overspent, they will be punished.
As an expert in adoption, what solutions do you think will help solve problems associated with international adoption?
The strongest solution is the issuance of the Law on Adoption. This law will basically change the management mechanism. Accordingly, the direct relations between orphanages and international adoption agencies will be abolished. Central agencies will directly manage adoption activities and relations with adoptive parents.
In addition, a national unified adoption assistance fund will be set up to diminish financial ambiguity and the ability to seek profit from adoption at grassroots agencies.
The power to make decisions currently belongs to orphanages and locations where the orphanages are located. This power will be centralised.
What about the experience of other countries in adoption?
One of the principles of the La Haye Convention asks member countries to control adoption activities, so centralisation is the best solution.
Vietnam should follow the model of China. They centralised everything and none of the power is given to local agencies.

Xuan Linh

My Peeps!

Ok, so we have raised our chickens, they are no longer required to be in the fish tank in the laundry room! We have 5, two roosters and 3 hens. Why two roosters? because that's what we ended up with. However the "book" said if one rooster does not make it over the winter months (croaks)we will have a back up rooster. They just started crowing, sounds like a crackly broken record for now.

1. Rooster #1 name is VV
2. Rooster #2 Dumb Dumb...because he walks past his open door and is not smart enough to enter.
3. Hannah Montana (with the pretty white feather on her tail
4. Brown Eyes
5. Pecky (no explanation needed)

So when they were little and cute my husband said he would make a hen house, 3 months later the lumber is sitting in the lawn and we mow around it! Well today I guess the chicken project marinated enough (no pun intended) he got started. I am impressed he even used a level! *Imagine the money we will save when they start laying eggs! ~~~sarcasm

Good News? Bad News? at least its in the News and being discussed

Early this week, police were seeking forgery charges against the heads of two charity centers in Nam Dinh.

At a meeting in Hanoi Friday to review the three years since the Convention on Adoption between Vietnam and the U.S was implemented, experts recommended stricter regulations to manage adoption.

Financial aid to orphanages should be handled solely by the Ministry of Justice’s Department of International Adoptions (DIA), the department’s director Vu Duc Long said.

He said related authorities were considering restructuring adoption procedures to prevent direct contact between international adoption agencies and orphanages. DIA would connect the two.

He said it would prevent possible unhealthy relations between the agencies and orphanages.

“The financial aid in cash and flexible financial structures have created loopholes in adoption,” Long said.

“It has offered opportunities for unhealthy relations between international adoption agencies and the orphanages.”

DIA’s Vice Head Le Thi Hoang Yen said: “We are very worried with the recent fake adoption documents. We had been confident about the legitimacy of documents appraised by police. But in recent cases in Nam Dinh Province, there were fakes which police appraised.”

Recently, 134 U.S. senators – including Barrack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John D. Rockefeller IV – and hundreds of adoption associations and 8,460 U.S. residents petitioned for the extension of the Convention on Adoption between Vietnam and the U.S., after the U.S. decided not to extend the convention when it expires September 1.

DIA’s statistics show 1,700 Vietnamese children have been adopted by families in the U.S. since the convention between the two countries took effect in 2005.

The Ministry of Justice has authorized 69 international adoption agencies to operate in Vietnam, of which 42 agencies were from the U.S. Orphans at the Humanity Assistance Center of Y Yen District in Nam Dinh Province.

Nam Dinh Police were seeking charges against the center’s director, Tran Thi Luong, early this week for allegedly faking babies’ documents.

Reported by Thanh Phong

An open door is the sign of "Welcome"

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." --James 1:2-3

Joint Council Survey Request-USA Families only

If you are anywhere in process of adopting a child in Vietnam please take a moment to fill out a quick survey. Its about ten questions.The survey Link will be above this post.

CLICK ABOVE TO SIGN THE PETITION

The petition
Honorable Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung,

It is with utmost respect that we, American citizens, seek your assistance in the matter of continuation of intercountry adoption between the US and Viet Nam.

During meetings with President Bush in June, you indicated an intent to speed up preparations for early accession to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions. Your visit to the White House was quite well-received and suggests that perhaps you are willing to assist us in two urgent matters.

We are respectfully requesting your immediate involvement, Prime Minister Dung, in the establishment of an interim adoption agreement between the US and Viet Nam. Please appoint a high-level negotiator to work with our Department of State to implement a temporary interim agreement that leads to Hague Compliance. While Dr. Vu Duc Long, Department of Intercountry Adoption, has made significant gains toward this end, further support from the national government is imperative to the success of these negotiations.

In addition, we respectfully request that the government of Vietnam hold all US dossiers not yet matched at September 1st rather than returning them to those families. These families could then be matched quickly when the interim agreement is implemented.

We respectfully implore you to act quickly as the September 1st deadline is rapidly approaching. We appreciate your time and attention to this important matter.

*SIGN THE PETITION WITH THE ABOVE LINK, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE MONEY AT THE END OF SIGNING. JUST SIGN AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Loose Tooth

Yes, our daughter is ready to loose the 1st tooth, I thought maybe one more photo with "the tooth"....going forward that little smile will look like a pumpkin! Oh no she is growing up. Gotta stop, ready to cry more.

Raise Your Hands!

Our priest use to be a teacher in Africa, today I listened to the cutest story and I will share it with you. In the years of his teachings the teachers would have surprise reviews. This was to grade the teacher. Were the children responding? Could they answer questions from the topics being taught ect. A good response from the students would mean the teacher was doing a great job. The teacher instructed the students, if there is a day when officials enter the classroom, know that I am being graded. I want you all to raise your hands to my questions and be active in the class. When I ask you a question, raise your hands. However, if you are unsure of the answer raise your "left hand" if you know the answer raise you "right hand". This will always ensure a good review!

Regarding #7 on list below AKA Lucky #7

If you have an "URGE" to email Michael Moore regarding any comments or ideas regarding the current state of affairs with Vietnam adoptions and the 9/1 deadline, please email him as soon as possible. He will be sending a letter to the DIA asking numerous questions on behalf of orphans and adoptive families currently in process. Here is the address info@ccainstitute.org

August 1st Meeting Notes/ DOS ,CCAI (Lonley? "Hold a Meeting") just joking!

The meeting was led by Michael Valverde, CIS-Chief of the Children's Issues Branch, International Operations, Michelle Bond, Dos- Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas Citizens Services Carrie Rankin, CIS- Presidential Management Fellow, Children's Issues Branch, International
Operations, and Gerry Fuller, DoS- Unit Chief for Adoptions. There was "standing room only, two people deep" and though it was scheduled to last 1 hour in total, to
cover Ethiopia, Guatemala and Vietnam, 1 1/4 hours were consumed by discussion of Vietnam. DoS members in DC seemed "compassionate" and "get it".

2. DoS appeared "shocked" by the overwhelming turnout and "'intensity" of the crowd.

3.One of the staffers attending (no name available) is himself attempting to adopt from Vietnam.

4.
DoS "painted a stark picture of how difficult it has been to work with
the Vietnamese government." The frustration is that there not a
central authority from which to obtain information. DoS is currently
waiting for a response from the Vietnamese government on the following:
- how many of the 1,729 applicants are waiting to be matched

-what are Vietnam's intentions regarding PAP who are not matched by
Sept. 1, Could those families not matched by Sept. 1 be placed first in
line for upcoming referrals? Could children be matched prior to birth?

5.
DoS has received authorization to permanently double its staff size in
Vietnam in anticipation of an potential flurry of referrals by the end
of August.

6.DoS will enhance communication on all levels via
the internet, possibly establishing a specific website for Vietnam
adoption.

7. CCAI is following up on this meeting by writing an other letter to the Vietnamese government addressing the concerns brought up at today's meeting.

8.DoS, again, voiced concern about using its limited time for answering questions versus processing adoptions.

Still got the butterflies!

You know we have been told no way no how,with 9/1 approaching nothing can be done in time regarding getting a referral. I thought I was at peace with this, NOT. We have 4 good weeks left, there is still time for talks, extensions, miracles. I am starting to think that maybe just maybe something will come together for us. Might be just setting us up for a huge let down, who knows at this point? In all of this process, government reports, any bits of news, I really have heard goodness of Dr. Long, it does seem he would want as many orphans placed as possible. Its very hard to read our position.

Do you have it in you?

The fight that is, are you giving up, or maybe just "ONE MORE ROUND?" Here you go,the meeting is scheduled for this Friday so time is of the essence. The links for calling your contacts are to the right of this post. So at this point CALLING/Email would be the most effective.

Dear Families,

Please read below the JCICS posting and please email or call your Senators and Representatives today!

July 30, 2008 - CALL OR E-MAIL TODAY!

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption has invited the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to conduct a briefing of Congressional Members and Staff on issues related to intercountry adoption in Vietnam , Guatemala along with issues related to intercountry adoption in general. The briefing is scheduled for this Friday, August 1, 2008 in the U.S. Capitol Building, LBJ Room at 10:00 a.m.

Given the pending suspension of intercountry adoption and related services in Vietnam and the continuing issues of concern in Guatemala , Joint Council urges participation by all Congressional Members or Staff. It is critically important that Members of Congress and their Staff participate in the U.S. Government’s role in international children’s services, specifically intercountry adoption. Given the impact of current issues on children and families, Joint Council urges 100% participation by Congressional offices in this very important briefing.

In order to gain the largest possible participation, please choose to contact your Congressional Representatives and Senators and urge them to participate in the briefing by sending a staff member or Member themselves.

·If you choose to contact your representatives, please do so today by email or phone call, and request that they send Staff to Friday’s briefing.

This briefing follows the briefing conducted for Congressional Staff last Friday, July 25th by child advocates and experts including Joint Council. These briefings and continuing participation by Members of Congress in the ongoing issues related to international children’s services is critically important to the continuation of intercountry adoption as a viable solution for children in need.

Hague in the News

Should we stick this thing out? Switching countries will extend our wait unless we see a brief ray of hope waiting for Vietnam to get a new agreement. Here is the latest news,it seems very positive to me, unless I don't understand what I am reading. :)

Lawmakers back bid to join Hague adoption convention

A man pushes two Vietnamese kids in a stroller outside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1
International adoption responsibilities would be fielded by a single government agency if Vietnam joins the convention.


A majority of National Assembly’s Standing Committee members supported a bid to sign the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption Friday, scheduling a vote on the measure by the year’s end.

The International Adopted Children Bureau, under the Minister of Justice, would be solely responsible for approving international adoption applications if Vietnam becomes a signatory on the convention, said Deputy Minister Hoang The Lien on the sidelines of the committee session.

Currently, each provincial government ratifies its own international adoption applications.

ADOPTION FIGURES

Of 378 orphanages nationwide,

85 centers have been licensed to process international adoption applications.

Around 2,000 Vietnamese children are adopted into international families each year.

Financial aid to orphanages would also be handled by the central government agency if Vietnam joins the convention, said Lien.

The move would aim to ward off unhealthy competition between international adoption agencies and even among Vietnamese orphanages, he added.

Lien said lawmakers would also work to remedy shortcomings in local adoption regulations, which many people had capitalized on to forge adoption applications.

Under Vietnamese law, a child must be abandoned by their parents or orphaned to be adopted.

Vietnamese parents who send their children to orphanages due to poverty do so only temporarily.

But several criminals have faked documents leading agencies and adoptive parents to believe that such children were in fact abandoned.

Lien said a recent case of adoption paperwork fraud in the northern province of Nam Dinh would be a major deterrent.

Nam Dinh Province police arrested the head of a charity organization in Truc Ninh District on Thursday for allegedly forging adoption documents.

Nam Dinh authorities began investigating two local charity organizations for their alleged involvement in dubious adoption paperwork in mid-July.

Prior to Thursday, Nam Dinh police had arrested three people, including two communal health officials, for allegedly faking papers documenting the origins of babies they claimed to have found.

Lien also said authorities would discuss other mismatches between Vietnamese laws and the Hague Convention.

For example, under Vietnamese law, the maximum age for adoptees is 16, while the Hague Convention extends the adoption age to 18.

Additionally, the Hague Convention stipulates that adopted children must jettison their legal ties with their parents while Vietnamese laws still allow adopted children to retain inheritance and other rights from their birth parents.

Lien said Vietnam and the US may still cooperate to arrange adoptions in the future through a new agreement or the Hague Adoption Convention.

In April, the Ministry of Justice dispelled accusations in an official US report of systematic baby-selling in Vietnam, saying it was “totally untrue.”

Reported by Tuyet Nhung

Not going to Happen

After two years it appears that we will not meet the 9/1 deadline. I am a strong person, so talk to me with straight answers. No more hearing that "we are hopeful" or "you might be ok", so with the current agreement and new surprise of needing the DIA letter sent to us by 9/1, its not going to happen, no way possible. This is hard saying, but better than expecting good news or the call that never comes, re-thinking all possible scenarios, hopes that we will just get by. I will tell you we are so darn close, the only small saving grace is we get to keep our "blessed number" with our agency. So if Vietnam does reopen our place is not lost. (there is more to this mix but too much to go into now) We have not officially pulled out yet, wondering if any dates will be extended. Truly what's another 6weeks in the scheme of this. So for how I am feeling, lets just say numb for now, starting to get a little angry thinking how everything is going down. At this point I am more sad for the families, PAP's all the people that are just financially getting by to make the adoption happen. The children will get homes, just not in the USA. Adoption programs will continue. I will add, hopefully US agencys will contiune the humantiarian aid, and that Vietnam keeps track of the support US agencys provide to programs within Vietnam.

Waiting, and more waiting....

Ok, Ok see the theme here? My current song is specially loaded for J&C, Joyfull, NYPD,& Little River, two Mr's 5 in the Hive "ya all know who you are" and all the PAP's that are having one very very hard wait. Are we waiting for the dreaded 9/1 deadline or some sort of miracle? Time will tell, however this is not the end of the road, maybe a different turn. Remember live life with no regrets don't give up only to say years from now, "at one time we tried to adopt". I hear this statement from many people that see us with our kids, its sad. God put the burden of adoption in your hearts, you have to carry it and follow the "plan". This is our 3rd time, not easier, we are proof that things work out, specially in your darkest times,quiet times when you are alone with your thoughts.

Groovy

I could post all our worries, endless thought of what ifs, quits, other countries, constant re-hashing. All we can do is hang in there. Its no easier on other families either, I specially have extra prayers for 1st timers, this should be a joyous wait, some worries but not this horrible pit of darkness and helplessness. I hope come 9/1 many doors or windows are open for theses families.

The good old camera came out today. I am enjoying my camera tons. Last year I ordered a family yearbook from shutterfly. So this year I am even more organized. It is too much keeping up with the scrap booking, ordering prints, ending up with tons of supplies and photos all over the place. The yearbook was about $170 for over 12 months worth of photos and events all in a leather bound book. I LOVE IT! The trick is order at the end of DEC, that's when all the discounts come out, I had a 30% offer. Great deal. Today we finished our tie-dye craziness. Even dyed the pillow cases!

Time for Thanks: Very Important timeframe

Please consider one last push to your reps. The links for your contacts are to the right of this post. *Never regret that you should of done more, so here ya go...

Dear Families,
As you may know, both Congress and the Senate will recess from August 11-September 5With the MOU expiring on September 1, while our representatives are away, it is critical that we continue to show our support for a new or an interim MOU.
We, along with our representatives, JCICS, CCA and ASPs and many others have worked tirelessly to encourage the Department of State to support a transitional agreement as Vietnam works toward acquiring Hague compliant status.
I am asking first, that you extend a note of thanks to your representatives for their assistance in making our collective voice heard and along with that correspondence, a plea for their help in securing a definitive reply from the Department of State prior to the August 11 recess.
For your convenience, below is a draft of a letter to copy/paste and send to your representatives. Phone calls,FAXES, snail mail and personal visits, of course, will help.



Dear __________________________,

Your time and effort in supporting the establishment of an interim agreement that facilitates the continuation of adoption between Vietnam and the US have been greatly appreciated. As a signatory to the letter for Secretary of State Rice on my behalf, I'd like you to know that your efforts are unprecedented in the adoption arena and certainly, a credit to living in a democracy. Thank you!


As you are probably aware, both Congress and the Senate are scheduled to recess from August 11- September 5 while the Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam expires September 1. I would like to respectfully request that your office strive to obtain an official statement regarding the implementation of an interim agreement from the Department of State prior to August 11, 2008.



Respectfully,

Shame on Both of you!

I have taken quality time to review all the signatures on the lettter to Sec. Rice in support of adoptions in Vietnam. I do not see SENATOR BILL NELSON OR MEL MARTINEZ of FL. Ok fine, if you were not going to sign say that. But NO, both offices told my mother and all her friends in the Condo that they signed in support. Shame Shame, of all people to lie to, it would not be my mother or her friends. They are not happy. If the Senators lie about this what next? Signing in support would of been a very positive gesture, no real effort on their parts. All I can do is shake my head, do these people think we are stupid? Of course I was going to check. I am still pissed at the McCain for not signing. There is nothing I can be told to calm me down. He should of supported this PERIOD!

Things that are bugging me...

1. That Senator McCain did not sign in support of the letter to SOS Rice. OMG, he is an adoptive parent, his wife HUGE in helping the orphans in Vietnam. Come on now, what was he thinking?

2. Getting mad at NBC, I wanted to teach my kids the game show "Family Feud" the other night, sounded like fun. The first two rounds were Sex related or getting even with ex-lovers((&*^&*^%??? What the heck happened to that show? Not to mention seeing the "Hell Boy" constantly popping up in commercials and on the bottom of the screen through several shows even during "America's Got Talent".

3. Creating a wonderful garden, only for it to be over run with bugs eating all the beautiful plants. That is a huge defeater. Even squeezing them is totally gross.

4. People thinking that their kids look cute with food all over their face. (its only cute if its your kid) I don't want to look at that! *We did a worm snack treat at the library today, and GROSS.. nasty pudding coated gummy worms hanging out of kids mouths, even the big kids, with Mom's smiling on. SORRY.. not cute.

Photos of 7/4 Rafting Adventure on the river.

Happy 4th of July America!

We had a wonderful day today. Our adventure started with a white water raft trip. It started with the manager saying that our son was too young and maybe if he cried it would ruin the trip for the rest of the rafters. Oh my, yes my heart did sink, I had email and phoned 3 times to this company to confirm the ages in our group. All times we felt welcome. Needless to say, we did take the trip. Michael promised the man he would be good. If I was to brag, I do think he acted better than most of the children and adults. (this could of gone either way) We have been talking of this trip all week so what a huge disappointment if we had to call the whole thing off after the car trip and arrival. If anything the trip was more for me, I just needed a stinking break! Other than day trips, I am starting to look forward to following the Olympics, due to start 8-8-08. Watching the sports and the world come together gives you a deeper meaning of proud to be an American. Here are a few photos of todays adventure,we rafted about 6 miles in the river below. Does this not look like nature touched by the hands of God?

Feeling a little better

Sorry for being a downer, every little positive bit of info I read, I have a way of making it negative in my mind and keeping my hopes low. I did have a call with our adoptoin rep, we are still hanging in there. It did make me feel better after speaking with her. The agencys truly feel the calling efforts are making a difference. So please try to keep up the efforts and make sure your personal Senator & Congressman did actually sign the Letter to Sec of State Rice.

Notes from President Bush and Prime Minster Dung of Vietnam

"The President expressed his commitment to continue the development of
intercountry adoption cooperation between the United States and
Vietnam that ensures the best interests of the child, respects his or
her fundamental rights, and prevents the abduction and trafficking of
children. The Prime Minister underscored that Vietnam shares these
goals and stressed that Vietnam will speed up preparations for an
early accession to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions. The
Prime Minister also welcomed U.S. technical assistance in facilitating
this step."

Here's the link to read the rest:
http://www.whitehou se.gov/news/ releases/ 2008/06/20080625 -4.html

Thank You Senator Martinez! FL (UPDATE 7/11 **MARTINEZ NEVER SIGNED! Huge disapointment, thanks for NOTHING!(Clinton did sign Thank You!)

Ok, my sister JOJO and Mom aka "condo callers" have both reported in that Senator Martinez from sunny FL has signed the "Child's Right Campaign" letter to Sec of State Rice. The Martinez staff was very concerned with our issues and we truly appreciate the follow up efforts they made with us. Thanks Again!

I and several other families still are wondering whats going on with Senator Clinton from NY?? I have heard this is her first day back to Senate. Still, you would think work and discussions would still be made in her absence. Her website is very clear that she will only support you if you are from NY. Here is the phone number 202-224-4451, good luck and please let me know how you make out.

What do you think about this?...a bit more positive

Excerpt from today's announcement:

"The United States and Vietnam are working to develop an intercountry adoption agreement
that ensures the best interests of the child, respects his or her fundamental rights, and
prevents the abduction and trafficking of children, including U.S. assistance to facilitate
Vietnam's early accession to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions. Eighty-five
percent of all U.S. Official Development Assistance to Vietnam focuses on health issues, and
our cooperative efforts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and combat Avian Influenza are the
hallmarks of our bilateral health relationship. The United States is providing International
Military Education and Training to Vietnam and using Economic Support Funds to help ethnic
minorities in the Central Highlands. We have also discussed the possibility for a Peace Corps
agreement with Vietnam. The United States has engaged actively with the Vietnamese on
various regional and global issues, particularly in light of its non-permanent UN Security
Council seat in 2008-2009"

For full announcement, you may read it at Adoptnewswire. com or at State Department's
Website.

Good Old NY- "Senator Schumer did not yet sign"UPDATED POST

AS OF LATE THIS AM: SENATOR SCHUMER DID SIGN. THANK YOU SENATOR SCHUMER!


*Senator Schumer 1-202-224-6542 Please give him a friendly call requesting his support. Thanks!


Joint Council is pleased to announce that the letter from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption to Secretary Rice regarding intercountry adoption and child protection in Vietnam has received over 130 Congressional signatures.

Given the visit to the United States by the Prime Minister of Vietnam over the next few days, it would greatly benefit our collective effort if additional calls to Members of Congress were made immediately.

While many families and adoption service providers are not directly involved with Vietnam, we urge all families and service providers to participate in A Child’s Right Campaign by calling your Congressional Senators and Representatives today!

Please take a moment now and contact your Congressional Senators and Representatives and ask if they have signed the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA) letter to Secretary Rice. If they have, please thank them for their support. If not, please ask that the Senator or Representative add their support and signature to this important letter.

Still going strong! ***UPDATED ENTRY

Please keep contacting your representatives, senators, congressmen asking them to support the CCAI letter to Condoleeza Rice. It is having an impact!
E-mails are good, phone calls are better. As per CCAI this morning, due to the large number of representatives responding, CCAI has postponed delivery to Condoleeza Rice until later in the week. They want more time to give everyone the opportunity to sign on.

Also, the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung is visiting the US this week 6/23-26, for a number of reasons but mainly to strengthen economic dealings. He is scheduled in D.C., California to meet with Barbara Boxer and also in Houston. If you live in any of these locales, this may be an extra opportunity for you to promote an extension allowing for continued adoption from Vietnam.

****Senator Boxer has signed the letter to SOS Rice, Senator Boxer is in total agreement in working on an agreement to keep Vietnam open to adopitons.

The Little Red Hen

We read a version of "The Little Red Hen" last night, but in this version they all get eaten in the end. So why do I tell you this? Today I had the best helpers in the entire world! Who will pick the berries? Who will wash the berries? Who will cut the berries? Who will mash the Berries? You got the picture? Needless to say we had a pretty carefree day. The urge to log on to the computer happened a few times, but I enjoyed the day and stayed off. Hope you enjoy these photos.

Bring on Summer.....what ever will be will be

Ok gang AP's, PAP's, supporting Family & Friends, time now to enjoy, take a deep breath and let the cards fall where they may. Yes the Vietnam situation will always be on my mind, but darn it... We had a very hard winter and now time to enjoy some summer! It seems tradition always starts summer with Berry picking, followed by Cherry picking, followed by long days at the beach. So looking forward to this routine. Our daughter has 1.5 days left of Kindergarten, its gone way too fast. Yesterday she brought home her art work for the year. It made me cry. Her art is so simple, happy and carefree. I pray she always stays this way. Our son is biting at the bit to help with yard work specially if it involves using the garden hose! Daddy and him picked some strawberries this am (2 quarts!) I give him credit. Tomorrow we will truly attack, my goal is at least 10 quarts with a 3 & 5 yr old. There are only so many trips one can take to the berry farm with the price of gas and all so we have to make use of that trip. The price is $1.75 each, not bad, in the store it's easily over $3.00. OH, ps if you like the art work collection...all I did was use an ugly picture frame from yrs ago, I actually had it ready to go in the trash. Let your kids decorate the frame with leftover scrapbook stickers, fill with your favorite collection and wa-la!

Did you know??**UPDATED INFO

***PLEASE FAX YOUR LETTERS PER THEIR REQUEST TO 602-952-8702

Did you know that Senator John McCain's wife Cindy is huge in helping the orphans of Vietnam. She is very involved with operation Smiles, she will help the children get the surgery's done on the Navy ships off Vietnam. Another fact: they are also adoptive parents! In the 90's they adopted a little baby girl in Bangladesh.

So if you feel the urge to ask Senator McCain for support here is the information.
Phone Number 703-418-2008 option 5 to leave a message. I will post the link above this message to email your request. I used the topic, tell me about an event. Keep your note brief and short. A long rambling message will not get attention. Also include the request that he signs the letter to Sec of State Rice for "A Child's Right Campaign" Ok that's all for now, sure would like to hear some positive feedback for all your efforts.

Ding Ding "ROUND TWO!"

June 18, 2008

Joint Council's Child's Right Campaign has been well received, and the letter to Secretary Rice, advocating for a new MOU for Vietnam, is now circulating to all of the congressional offices.

Joint Council is asking families to call their elected officials on Thursday, June 19th and Friday, June 20th, in support of the campaign. Joint Council has previously asked for your support, but the next two days will be crucial in obtaining the support of Congress for this important bill. Details on the A Child's Right Campaign can be found below. Joint Council has received overwhelming support for this campaign, and we appreciate your phone calls and e-mails on such short notice.

*get your contact info under the photo of "BABIES IN HANOI"

Heres to a busy Thursday and Friday!

Calling Efforts

This week I have spoken to Congressman Oberstar and Senator Landrieu, they are both members of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. There are a group of officials currently in Vietnam advocating for the "pipeline" families. Hopefully they will return with a good report. Both of my conversations were very positive, here are some quotes "We don't want the DOS to simply throw in the towel" I told them "you are saying everything we want to hear" Where should we focus our efforts. The reply was **continue to ask Our Senators and Congressman to sign the letter to Condolessza Rice.** On a side note, our last round of callings was what I would call a "dress rehersal" because of miscommunications, the letter at that point was not even drawn up, it was in very early stages. As of Last Friday, all parties agreeded on the "wording" and hopefully its typed and in route to be delivered. Any whooo, we should really do one more round of calling, at this point why not? My game plan will be to wait until Joint Council announces that the letter has been sent, maybe at that point it will be online for our review. Links and contact info under "Babies in Hanoi photo" on the rightside. If you have not yet signed the online petition for BRING OUR CHILDREN HOME please do so now,(link above) the signatures are past 2500, good results, but NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

Joint Council Update *keep calling Senators and Representivies

June 13, 2008 ****Continue calling Senators and Reps' to sign the letter to Sec Rice phone numbers links on right side of this post.*********

In advancing our advocacy for every child’s right to a permanent, safe and loving family, Joint Council will lead a delegation to Vietnam on June 17, 2008. The delegation is a collaborative effort and includes: Tom DiFilipo of Joint Council; Paul Singer of the Global Orphan Care Initiative and Joint Council Board of Directors; Linh Song of Ethica; Gary Gamer of Holt International; and John Meske of Faith International. During this trip, the delegation will present the key elements of A Child's Right Campaign including our Recommendations, to officials of the Vietnamese government.

With dual goals of maintaining the myriad of services provided to children and families—both directly and indirectly—through intercountry adoption and strengthening protection from unethical practices, corruption and abuse, the Joint Council delegation will advocate for a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Vietnamese and U.S. governments to go into effect September 1, 2008.

A Child’s Right Campaign Update

Joint Council continues to communicate with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA) Co-Chairs regarding a collective letter to Secretary Condoleezza Rice that promotes the continuation of permanency services through strengthened protections and a new MOA. It is our understanding that the CCA Co-Chairs are continuing to develop this letter, which will be distributed to all Members of Congress early next week.

Joint Council will issue a notification when the letter has been distributed, as well as an update on when the letter will be forwarded to Secretary Rice.

We offer our thanks to the families and friends of Joint Council, along with our Member Organizations, who continue to participate in A Child’s Right Campaign for Vietnam. Your ongoing advocacy efforts on behalf of the orphaned and vulnerable children of Vietnam both inspire and motivate all of us at Joint Council.

Normally

I am normally the one people come to with their problems, I am the one that will make problems go away, fix things, make it better. Everything is just crashing down, day by day, every update from our agency spinning me out of control. Basically I work from sun up to dusk, keeping busy, playtime, garden, housework and a very full schedule. When night sets in the tears come. No one understands, this has been good intentions going very wrong. Two years of financial family sacrifice, planning, keeping calm and emotions in check. Trying so hard to not let this consume me. I am so tired. I also have my doubts, however I reason myself back into thinking this will all work out. How come numerous other agency's continue to get a steady flow of referrals, when our agency has been seeing decrease every month? Maybe this is all way to big for me. I keep searching for any positive news. We have done the calling, letters, faxes. Its truly surprising that I have really gotten only one weak response. That or I am still very naive in expecting a reply from the start. Well here's to a new week, come good or bad...its on the way.