Mung Chua Giang Sinh!!

I get teary eyed as I think about the INCREDIBLE 2006 the Carlsons had this year...on many fronts, amazing JOYS and rays of HOPE with the referral of Maile (My-lee) Noel on Oct. 16. We started SEPT. 01, 2005 and now 16 mos. into this the "Adoption Pregnancy" - we feel like we are FINALLY in the LAST Trimester! I also remain humble and grateful for wrapping up the first semester of Encore Centre for DANCE!!! Wow, God, how can I ever THANK YOU for showing me your AMAZING Faithfulness in the midst of some storms, you continue to provide the RAINBOWS!!! And to my family, my Mom & the boys: I thank you from my heart to yours...for your incredible SUPPORT and LOVE to endure all the hurdles & challenges, you are so AWESOME! YOU ROCK!

We seem to still have so many more steps to go before bringing Maile home from Ninh Thuan, VIETNAM. I know you wonder ALL the steps involved, I do too! Hopefully this outline will help you (& me) to understand the painstaking process and please continue to PRAY for stamina & provisions spiritually, financially, physically & emotionally as we wait for GOD'S timing of it all!!!

After a referral of a child has been accepted and the family has returned the paperwork to Dillon, we will prepare the acceptance documents to be sent to Vietnam. The following is an outline of what occurs once your paperwork arrives in Vietnam:

Your dossier and acceptance papers are sent to Ho Chi Minh City to our attorney, Thomas. When Thomas receives your dossier, he will forward it to a translator. The translation process can take 1-4+ weeks.

After your dossier has completed the translation process, Thomas will send it to the International Adoption Department (IAD) in Ha Noi. The IAD will review your dossier, and, if they are satisfied with all the documents, they will give your dossier a log-in date. You can estimate you will travel within 3-6 months of this log-in date.

After the IAD has given your dossier a log-in date, they will send a letter to your child’s province requesting that the Local Justice Department begin compiling your child’s legal documents, which is also called the child’s dossier. This process can take up to 30 business days.

Once the IAD in Ha Noi receives your child’s dossier, they will review your child’s dossier and your dossier. After they are satisfied with all the dossier documents, they will forward your family's dossier and the child's dossier back to your child’s Local Justice Department in your child’s province.

When the Local Justice Dept. in your child’s province receives your dossier and your child’s dossier, they will forward the dossier documents to the People’s Committee and then the People’s Committee will set a date and time for the Giving and Receiving Ceremony.
Families should have approximately two weeks notice before travel.

From my dear friend, Michelle's favorite verse: Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..."

To Him be ALL the Glory! God bless you now & always as we enter another day and year... Kim-Lan & 3 boys (Don, Joseph & Samuel) & our baby girl (now '2') waiting for us 1/2 around the world

LOG IN Date = Dec. 25th for our Baby Girl!

Well, what a Christmas it has been!!! The week before Christmas we had one DR wall, all of our LR and 3 BRs painted to get ready for Baby Girl Carlson...not any too soon!!! Just found out TODAY, that we have a LOG IN Date into Vietnam (meaning our dossier is officially registered in the VN system!) We are told 3-6 mos. still to travel and of course, praying closer to 3 mos. than 6 mos...Ideally just after the 24th of MARCH and well before Encore Centre for DANCE's first student concert (set for mid June!)

God knows the timing of it all, He has been orchestrating them both all along... TWO dreams coming true, adopting my baby girl and opening my first dance studio!!! I am sure He will work it all out...Just wanted to share that exciting news...more details to come...

Here's to a STELLAR 2007, can't wait!!! Bring it on!
God bless, Kim-Lan and the CRAZY Carlson Krew
Prov. 3:5-8