The Quick Summary

Hi all -

Yes, I fell off the face of the blogging universe. Adoptive families know why many of the Vietnam blogs have gone silent; for the few friends/family members who we've shared this blog with, here's the deal.

Y'know the Bog of Eternal Stench (quick, name the 80's movie reference!)? Basically, that's the current state of VN adoptions. USCIS posted this horribly disturbing message, closely followed by this one. Result: as of now, adoptions will not be processed for anyone who does not have a referral by September 1.

Remember when you were a kid and everyone would get in trouble because of the one bratty boy who just wouldn't settle down? That's basically what's going on here. The vast majority of Vietnam adoptions are ethical, but a very small minority of agencies/adoption personnel are causing problems for everyone; instead of making the troublemakers get out of the sandbox, all adoptions are being stopped.

Making sure adoptions are ethical should, of course, be priority numero uno - that goes without saying. However, there are ways to ensure ethical adoptions without shutting down the entire adoption system between the two countries.

As you can imagine, this hasn't been easy news to swallow. There was one particular Saturday that certainly wasn't pretty around our house (I recommend splurging for the Kleenex with lotion. The integrity of your nasal passages is worth the extra forty cents.).

I've exhibited unusual behavior since the news. I've cried over nonsensical things (though I did really love those shoes before the heel broke). When I carried a huge purse to work the other day, a coworker said she loved my "baby stealing bag" (she said it was big enough to hide a kid). I spent several moments seriously contemplating how she knew I was adopting, and further, how she knew I had contemplated nabbing one of the random children always wandering the toy section at Ross unattended*.

So, at any rate - we're sad. And mad. We're getting better, though. Hubby and I are now back on the pray/research/talk/pray/eat ice cream/pray some more wagon. It is kind of bizarre, exciting, and intimidating to think that, as of this moment, we have no idea where in the world our little children will come from - we are now charged (once again) with choosing the path that will lead us to our little ones.

So thanks to everyone who's told us they are praying for us - that's exactly what we need right now. I'm hoping one path or another becomes the evident choice for us soon. Please also pray for the other adoptive families, the orphaned children, and the government officials who have the ability to work out a new agreement.



*Disclaimer: I would never really steal a child. If a really cute kiddo turns up missing in, say, the south OKC area, I had nothing to do with it.