We in Thailand and have our son!

[momto7soon]

Hi all, We are in Thailand and have received our son. He is happy and energetic boy who loves to swim! I'm sorry that I didn't post sooner, things have been crazy, both in getting ready to leave and now here. The flooding here is terrible. Downtown Bangkok, where we are staying is sandbagged up and now water here yet but the outlying areas especially to the north and east are horrible. Many people misplaced. The Holt staff is very busy trying to help as many as they can. They are wonderful and kind people. Any fundraising efforts anyone can do, I know they would very much appreciate and will put to good use. Today we go to the embassy for our visa interview. Holt HSF would like us to ask them to expedite our visa and go home early, both for our protection in case Bangkok floods and because they are so busy helping their foster families with flood relief it is hard for them to spend time with us. We completely understand this. I wish we could stay longer in this beautiful country but I can see where this is probably not a good idea. Now on a happy note. Today, we had our DSDW meeting, it was very exciting for us as today we became our son's legal guardians but also the next exciting this that happened was while we were waiting the DSDW social worker brought our HSF Social Worker someone's Art. 16 letter!!! One of you is the lucky recipient!! I don't know who, since I wasn't told the name.......but one more step done. It was also exciting to see how the process here works!! Congratulations to someone!
Rebecca

[Tulip]

Rebecca, Thanks for your congratulations! We are "someone"! How cool that you were there and personally saw them issue our Article 16! That's neat to hear, especially as today's been a sad day for us- we were scheduled for December travel, but due to the flooding it's been cancelled and pushed out until February. Hard to hear this news, but based on what you're saying the flooding there is getting worse instead of better.
Congratulations on your son!! What an awesome thing that you were able to get him now before the flooding gets too bad. What a joy for your family. Best wishes as you get his visa and make the long trek home

[NeilandCatie]

Praise the Lord you are in Thailand!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you. I am sure you are sad to leave Thailand early, but I know you will enjoy the time with your son!!! I am so glad you were still able to go get him. This is such good news in all the bad news we are getting about Thailand.

I knew the Article 16 family was you Angie and I cried when I read this!!!!!!!!! We are praying for you so much.

Thanks for this post Rebecca and we will be praying for you and your family as you transition to being home!!!

Catie

[momto7soon]

Hi Everyone! We are home!! We drove into our driveway and our new son jumped out of the van, spread his arms open wide and with a big smile on his face yelled very loudly, HOME!!! Yes, after 28 hours of traveling we are home!! Our time was cut a little short but it was for the best. I'm very glad to be home and be able to start transitioning our son to life in America and into our family. He and our youngest two played until they all dropped from exhaustion. So far, so good. We are truly blessed. Bangkok is an amazing city, I'll share whatever anyone is interested in. The HSF staff is wonderful, loving, women. Very overwhelmed at the moment with the flood and all the needs of the children in their care and the foster families. Huge needs there, so pitch in and help, a lot of supplies needed right now and rebuilding in the future. Some of the littlest babies have been moved to new temporary foster families (ex-pats living in Bangkok) and are all being looked after very well. We were able to spend a lot of time with our son's week-end foster family and they took 2 newborns "flood babies" while we were there. Wonderful upper middle class family with lots of helping hands to care for the babies. The mom rallied her friends to step forward and take in foster babies during this crisis. They live in a beautiful high rise condo and are safe from the flood waters. It's good to see people rally together to care for these little ones. Blessings to you all!
Rebecca