New photos before we leave.

We received a couple new photos of Sarah today. Can't believe we'll see her in 5 days.

Uncharted waters...

For the CHI families out there, I sent out an email to some of you about the yahoo group I started. If you didn't receive an email from me and you're interested in getting back in a yahoo group for CHI Vietnam families, this is the email I sent out and the link.


Hello everyone,

I was disappointed that CHI shut down their yahoo groups but I guess it was understandable. I started my own as a replacement for those of us in the CHI Vietnam program, but I want to limit it to supporting each other, questions about travel, how our kids are doing, etc. I don't want to have discussions on the day to day operations of CHI. Here's what I put for the group description:

"This is a replacement group for CHI Vietnam families. The aim of the group is to provide a place for those families to remain in touch as a group to provide support, share information on travel, ask questions, updates on how our children are doing, networking, etc. But please do not get into discussions on the day to day operation of CHI that contributed to their yahoo groups being shut down. That is not my intended purpose and I'll have to give you the boot if you do. It's not censorship. I'm not the government. It's my group and if anyone wants to start their own group for that type of discussion, you have that right. Thank you for your understanding."

I've never moderated a group before and with our travel date fast approaching, I will have limited time to devote to the group, but wanted to get one started. I do have it set so that new members will be approved and moderated. I'm sending this to those families who I have email addresses for and who I know are CHI families. Feel free to forward this to others you have in your address book who might be interested. Thanks. Now, it's off to Isaac's cub scout meeting.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CHIVNR/

No problem after all.

Now, after being scared to death that our passports were missing, Fed Ex tracking shows the package was delivered yesterday at 9:30 a.m. Can't figure out why they told me it was delayed due to mechanical difficulties. A big thank you to Kelly for stepping up with her offer to help if needed. I'm glad we didn't need the help, but it's nice to know we have someone on the "inside".

If it's not one thing, it's another.

Last week Friday we sent our passports and visa applications by Fed Ex to the Vietnam Embassy. The package should have arrived yesterday. When I tracked the package, the Fed Ex website showed it was on the Fed Ex vehicle at 7:29 a.m. Monday for delivery. There was no further update this morning yet. So I emailed Fed Ex. This was the reply:

"Thank you for your inquiry. We apologize for any problems you experienced as a result of this incident. According to our electronic records, this shipment has been delayed due to mechanical difficulties. To help us follow up on this situation, please e-mail the followinginformation to us: The complete addresses and telephone numbers of the shipper and recipient, for verification- Package detail/package description. Once we receive these shipment details, FedEx will initiate a trace and contact you as more information becomes available.You may wish to continue monitoring your shipment to obtain updated status by using our online tracking page. http://www.fedex.com/Tracking We appreciate your patience in this matter and trust that your next experience will prove more favorable. "

A delay at this point is not an option. We can not travel without our passports and entry visas. Fed Ex had better come up with our package very quickly.

Good news and photos. What could be better?

Our G & R is scheduled!

We received the long awaited call this morning. Thank God. Our G & R is scheduled for Sept. 22, the first day of Autumn. We will be leaving Sept. 19. and we couldn't be happier. Did I really need to say that? I'll post some new photos we received today when I get home, if our internet is working. It was on the blink earlier today.

Still no new news, so another jab.

We still haven't heard anything about a travel date but still hope to sometime this week. So...

If you've been following the blog, you know I won't miss a chance to take a jab at the government since we were treated so poorly by a few local government Twits . By the way, Roald Dahl is one of Isaac's favorite authors.


What will I be when I grow up?