Pictures and Videos of Victoria

Since it's official that Victoria will be our child, I feel it's okay now to post the first pictures and videos that we received of Victoria.

Our very first picture of Victoria at 4 months old

6 months old

9 months old

9 months old

We will get Victoria at 11 months old and judging by how much she has changed in all of her pictures, I bet she looks even more different now.  Can't wait to see her!

We got the call!!

We got the call and will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam at 12:40am Monday morning!
We are so incredibly excited that this day has finally come.  It has been a lot of waiting and now we are in a mad rush to get everything organized for the trip.  I am already booked to work for the whole week, otherwise I would have taken this week off to get everything done.  So this week is going to be crazy.

We don't actually get Victoria until the 1st of December but found cheap tickets leaving on the 24th and decided that this was an opportunity for David and I to have some time together.  I'm going to miss the boys so much.  I can't even think about it because it makes me so emotional.  I know they will be well looked after and have fun with the grandparents but still, it's tough for a mommy who hasn't been away from them longer than one night.

So exciting!!!

Happy Birthday Adam!

The photos say it all about Adam's big personality.  I just love this little man.  He brings me so much joy.

Weekend Walking

We did a lot of walking on the weekend.  On both Saturday and Sunday we walked the trails at Burnaby Mountain.  Of course, stuffed animals came along.  We love spending time outside, especially when it isn't raining.  While we were walking, we imagined having Victoria with us.  It won't be long.  We look forward to building memories with her.

DA has issued final letter

Exciting news!

The department in Vietnam has issued the final letter in regards to our adoption.  We are now awaiting for the Thai Nguyen province (where Victoria's orphanage is) to schedule a giving and receiving ceremony so that we can book our flights.  The estimated travel time is end of this month or early December.  So excited!!

Prayer needs:

1) We are still awaiting for Part 1 of our Citizenship application for Victoria.  We could still travel without this but it could complicate things.  We would then be applying for Victoria to become a permanent resident which would mean we would likely spend more time in Vietnam.  This would be upsetting because we do not want to be away from the boys for an extended period of time.  Please pray that we will receive this soon!!

2)  It has been very busy around home lately.  I have been working full time to help with the adoption costs.  Anyone who has children knows how hard it is to balance work and family life.  Although we do not like to think of money when it comes to welcoming home our third child, the adoption has been a huge financial burden.  Please pray that we would trust God in His provision and that we would not become overwhelmed with the financial aspect of the adoption.

The boys lately

Isaiah has been doing very well these last few weeks.  He loves Kindergarten and has been fine staying the full six hours minus steroid week.  Steroids make him very emotional/moody so we've decided half days are best for those weeks.  He has picked up a lot of French vocabulary already and enjoys teaching Adam the new words.  Adam as a result knows how to count to five in French and sing some songs in French as well.  So sweet!

Isaiah recently had an appointment at Childrens' where he received chemo in his spinal fluid.  When he got home, he gave "Mouse" the same procedure...poor Mouse!  He even put a band-aid on his back.

Isaiah and Adam both finished their skating lessons.  Both boys loved being on the ice and improved a lot.  Isaiah passed his level and looks forward to more lessons in November.  Adam's classes were all full but I'm hoping we'll still be able to get him into a class.

I think I mentioned in an earlier post their new obsession with stuffed animals.  I was told to make Halloween costumes for Hippo and Mouse so this is what I did for an hour today.

Adam has grown so much lately.  He's wearing 4T clothing which is weird because Isaiah just grew out of 4T.  I think they'll be wearing the same size by the summer even though they are two years apart.  Adam has really been loving reading in his bed.  He knows a few stories by heart which is so fun to listen to.  He has also been giving me some weird smiles when I take pictures.  I just love his spunky personality.

Brothers after church