"Back to the Future..." - Now in SEOUL!!!!

29th March 2007 - HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY ROCCO!!!!!!

We are 1/2 way there, well actually only about 1/4 way...we still have another 15+ hours flight from Seoul to DFW...but killing time in our 4 hrs. lay over to say we have made the first leg of our journey home!!!!

We just said good-bye (I hope it's actually "see you later" than "good-bye") to the Willis Family...it was a teary eyed farewell to see this incredibly sweet, innocent Rocco on his FIRST B-day and know he will grow UP sooooo much in our absence from seeing him everyday for 2 weeks. It has been an honor and joy to travel with the Willis Family and Rocco Jase (Tuan) is a blessed littl' fella to get Jason & Heather as parents. For sure, the rocky roads, trials & tribulations God's gives us is for the TIMING of His plan...Rocco is meant to be with the Willis' and Maile Noel with us...while we wanted the adoption process to go FASTER (as all waiting families do), we KNOW now how PERFECT God's plan was for us to be destined & united with our babies. And it was HIS timing for us to be with the Willis family, along with Kennedys & Rusts to travel together. While we didn't get to know them too well since they went to Vinh Long, it was sooooo neat to see our families grow with babies in just days together, it's an amazing bond & journey.

While waiting for their plane to board first, Heather asked me the highlight of the past 19 days together (other seeing our babies for the 1st time) and we just rattled so many GREAT memories we shared together as families & new parents on a journey with our FOREVER babies!!!!! I thought I could tough it out and not cry saying farewell to them as they boarded their plane, I couldn't do it...just like the past 2 weeks flashed back with joy & down-to-the belly laughters...sorrow came knowing we will miss out on so many MORE great memories to share with them. The next time we see Rocco, he will be probably twice his size at least, walking, running, talking, eating to keep up with his Papa, etc....We will miss out on those littl' joys, but the bond we have shared in this journey will bind our hearts forever & I know we'll keep in touch....we just have to!!!! It's a GIFT for our babies too...not just the parents.

I can't even imagine the JOY, RELIEF, EXCITEMENT, LOVE & HEARTFELT THANKS I will feel when I see our family & friends in a matter of HOURS!!!! In about 14-15 hrs.+ Maile's life is going to REALLY start over and she doesn't even know it.... this incredibly shy, quiet, dossile, sweet girl has blossom to sing & talk in Vietnamese, grab the phone from my ear to speak (hear who's on the other end), taken DADDY by his hands to lead him places SHE wants to go, laugh so hard that your heart dances with laughter too!!!!! She is an amazing gift & we cannot wait to share her with the world...

I have no idea how Maile (Thuy Trang) will react when we arrive HOME, I assume she will go back in her shell & cling to me as she did when we arrived in Seoul...I do know we will all be EXHAUSTED and probably pretty rugged looking, but MORE THAN HAPPY to be HOME SWEET HOME...with my 3 boys, mom & NOW Maile & close family/ friends...what more could a girl ask for???

Cannot wait to see you soon!!!!! Signing off in Seoul...see you DFW :)!!!!! Don, Kim-Lan & Maile