Today we're two, tomorrow will be three....

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So. . . get on your way.
- Dr. Seuss

In less then 14 hours we’ll be officially and legally parents for the first time. Wow….!!!!

As we wait the last of the many “waits” in this process we have occupied ourselves with getting ready, resting, and relaxing (as much as possible). But as much as our nerves are on edge, we wonder what our new son is thinking? Is he aware of what a major change in his life is going to be taking place? Does he realize that these two strange people from the other side of the world are about to take him changing his life completely as he knows it?

So, the wait now becomes transition (for all three us)….a transition period that involves establishing trust, bonds, and a life-long relationship that will include all the trials, tests, and barriers that any parent and child face. (In other words, the difficulties of being a family.) We believe (as many in the adoption community) that adoption is as much of a miracle as having a child through birth. We are here for a reason; we are drawn to this young child that we are going to meet for the first time tomorrow to be our son. It is difficult to apply logic to such a situation. Why us? Why him? We can certainly explain the process, we were next on the “list,” he was next on the “list,” we were matched. Is it really that random? Is it really that simple? That is question for philosophers, scholars, saints, or some higher authority…we are none of the above….In our humble opinion, we feel privileged and honored to be here today, a part of a “miracle.”

Enough with the metaphysics, we’re here to get our son…

The weather has been muggy and warm..Basically Vietnam in May (or NJ in August)..Today it rained off and on al day....No complaints....

We spent today figuring out our tech issues, getting cameras to work, packaging the gifts, exchanging money, and other logistics…As we were touring the hotel, we found the spa, and they had massages for $17.00 per hour…Can you believe that…and so we sprung for a massage for each of us. (BTW-We both thought is was the best massages we ever had, and every part of it would be legal in the US. –Okay, maybe just in the state of Nevada – just kidding, they were great!) We also went to Ben Thanh Market…for those of our friends / relatives who live in our area (Philly / South Jersey), the best example would be a cross between Reading Terminal (without the Amish people) and Berlin Farmers Market (without the rednecks). So it is a ton of vendors selling everything (and we mean everything) including food products, clothing, shoes, electronics, house wares, jewelry, and much more. It was a truly awesome, cultural experience. Tonight, in celebration of our last night as a “party of two” we ate dinner at a local Vietnamese restaurant called the temple club. It is considered a very high end restaurant (evidently Bill Clinton has eaten there). Very good food, and very reasonable compared to US prices…

Tomorrow we will post an update with pictures, etc, after we get back to the hotel. So check back regularly….We should get back to the hotel by noon Vietnam time, which is about 1:00AM EST…We will be as prompt as possible, but you never know how long it will take.

Please find some pics and video from our travels today…

Picture of Ben Thanh Market


Two pictures of the square in front of the market...





Typical intersection in Ho Chi Minh City...


Video from our hotel of the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City...The car horn is a important piece of traffic safety equipment...I believe "car horn" is the official second language of Vietnam..Pedestrians, proceed at your own risk...