tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-232463552024-02-19T01:09:51.352-06:00The Crazy "Carlson Krew" BlogI started this blog to share our journey of adopting the newest, little Carlson GIRL. I was adopted from Saigon, Vietnam & now we are making a "FULL CIRCLE" of adopting a little girl from Vietnam too. Stay tuned as God enfolds His plan, to Him be all the glory. Kim-Lan
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart...He will direct your paths." (Prov. 3:5-6)Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-36193934926334107062010-06-29T14:10:00.002-05:002010-10-29T11:05:04.170-05:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">After Encore's big annual Student Concert - I flew to Las Vegas to see the sites and sounds with Heather from GA!!! Oh my goodness, the bond & friendship from March 2007 after adopting our babies from Vietnam would be an amazing blessing far greater than I could have ever predicted. Thank you God for hand-picking the family we would share "Labor and Delivery" stories with at the MOST exilerating journey to our daughter!! </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Thank you HEATHER for your love & friendship. I can'twait to see you again asap!!!</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8pQJrtj4MxoVkGHuGQOJMv_pcOF4Y1pkUYegSI0kIZXCzvhhyGLZlOMNRtdjYh4zeSwNAhmokhmJYPi594DuzJA2uwWndjyYAmNmRSKvcNKOWsrQoiouFkQN35HfQbY-Ha71/s1600/nyc.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8pQJrtj4MxoVkGHuGQOJMv_pcOF4Y1pkUYegSI0kIZXCzvhhyGLZlOMNRtdjYh4zeSwNAhmokhmJYPi594DuzJA2uwWndjyYAmNmRSKvcNKOWsrQoiouFkQN35HfQbY-Ha71/s320/nyc.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Here's Heather and I ready to take a bite out of the BIG APPLE of NYC :)...haha</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KxFk-8DMeZuqlmXozl3JamUN9J985chbONSHhhkGd59YEcL9NlXYMuvYTlatsUsZZay_GIe_NaKr9tfxLz7Jj8D7VgUY5t7bqPFDbm_yeXkGFfN8U0dyirb0u8831gk9Gebd/s1600/our+hotel+pool.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KxFk-8DMeZuqlmXozl3JamUN9J985chbONSHhhkGd59YEcL9NlXYMuvYTlatsUsZZay_GIe_NaKr9tfxLz7Jj8D7VgUY5t7bqPFDbm_yeXkGFfN8U0dyirb0u8831gk9Gebd/s320/our+hotel+pool.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Here's a bird's eye view of the Mirage Hotel from our room!!! Ahhhhh</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt8v1w2F9RoSmPjSegr00gszKOUsT3mkSoHHLQSsTHhPinbnDhG0fVTksklfgfYaOGWFoEMXSulQy1_DlFU-E4FsEOsphahMn7VLYMCQhXq5M192LKtZmkKFXZ35fLYXjsu8m/s1600/6-23-10+HOOVER+DAM.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt8v1w2F9RoSmPjSegr00gszKOUsT3mkSoHHLQSsTHhPinbnDhG0fVTksklfgfYaOGWFoEMXSulQy1_DlFU-E4FsEOsphahMn7VLYMCQhXq5M192LKtZmkKFXZ35fLYXjsu8m/s320/6-23-10+HOOVER+DAM.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Heather is the SCIENCE buff with excitment in learning enough for the both of us!!!! This is HOOVER DAM - wow, what a site to see in it's magnificant beauty. It was so enormous, awesome, raw and stunning!!!</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Yes, laughing, singing, jumping around & asking questions are the BEST ways to learn, esp. with friends!!!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYc8YVNlMX2ujr3xEoS40U80OWdRKO5azByQAXPB1L2vZ2zLMAACItgnZFGDbd4CQrCude7uKuJTyviooWJ388uMnxOMHzkm1pOPGEtSnS15FihvxTbsBkgEppKLSBpm9t-OI/s1600/bellagio+fountain+h20.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYc8YVNlMX2ujr3xEoS40U80OWdRKO5azByQAXPB1L2vZ2zLMAACItgnZFGDbd4CQrCude7uKuJTyviooWJ388uMnxOMHzkm1pOPGEtSnS15FihvxTbsBkgEppKLSBpm9t-OI/s320/bellagio+fountain+h20.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Almost every night we were there, we would walk to the Bellagio for the DANCIN' Lights & Music show!!! It was so magical to see the syncronized song and lights twirling together like a ballet at the Opera. The dancer in me stood in awe and amazement as much as Heather probably did at Hoover Dam!!! Isn't neat how we are all different but can appreciate our passions, uniqueness and diversity in humanity??? </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-42032144981586590982010-04-22T23:03:00.000-05:002010-04-22T23:03:39.638-05:00Missing Saigon...<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdGH6qoCWQp0Pv1eH0auqnSHjMOfd8967x09QJYLeCNRhvqrWzuxmu6eT8Lk6TiP4AnItA5rozgJgrr5V-w-cgNWc6eFztlItPdcmlagCxpwNK8Phdq7u3JCdqhn-oD-DNJBq/s1600/P1020203.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdGH6qoCWQp0Pv1eH0auqnSHjMOfd8967x09QJYLeCNRhvqrWzuxmu6eT8Lk6TiP4AnItA5rozgJgrr5V-w-cgNWc6eFztlItPdcmlagCxpwNK8Phdq7u3JCdqhn-oD-DNJBq/s320/P1020203.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It's hard to believe I was in Saigon just over a week ago... It feels like yesterday and yet a lifetime ago as well...<br />I think I will always feel like I have ONE foot in the States and ONE in my homeland of Vietnam.<br />I will always remember this journey back to my homeland with Denise.<br />God went before us, was with us and continues to show us more of WHO He is in us today...our hearts...our memories...our lives....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4s6_G-pyg-UFOBn9vI6VgdOGD7g-V6NujXcLyHnY7nMN-UIPiuM_P-xgq-jurLewhREn-kn-oOG8J0UjP31udUXRP2odoRZ1bwqRl8UfmVHLqyRVr6nD2CaFpi-aochL1vW5/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG"><br />I<img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4s6_G-pyg-UFOBn9vI6VgdOGD7g-V6NujXcLyHnY7nMN-UIPiuM_P-xgq-jurLewhREn-kn-oOG8J0UjP31udUXRP2odoRZ1bwqRl8UfmVHLqyRVr6nD2CaFpi-aochL1vW5/s320/IMG_0293.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It’s been bittersweet to see the way of life here again on this side of the ocean, city life is so, so poor, dirty and <em><strong>desperate</strong></em>…<br /><strong>desperate</strong> locals looking for money to find next meal...<br /><strong>desperate</strong> homes needing renovation...<br /><strong>desperate</strong> economy needing restoration…<br /><strong>desperate </strong>hearts needing God...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OSHlsIIyjKQZPR4NyrE5EqsIGSMcHFR4RsG2zlN3YL8g3-USDMl6I4hBXWFxEz24-QkPrkKqZbkuDo9l3ymeReuz3ZMIODRmbq2l4BZWXVrAIcePKhrJ2zrgwpJhJsfubwQn/s1600/P1020420.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OSHlsIIyjKQZPR4NyrE5EqsIGSMcHFR4RsG2zlN3YL8g3-USDMl6I4hBXWFxEz24-QkPrkKqZbkuDo9l3ymeReuz3ZMIODRmbq2l4BZWXVrAIcePKhrJ2zrgwpJhJsfubwQn/s320/P1020420.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a picture with our new friends that we made, some from a boys' home/ shelter in the heart of Saigon...precious, sweet, generous people that opened their hearts and home to us. Thank you!!!</div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-19377147505320505632010-04-13T23:01:00.001-05:002010-04-14T09:20:28.386-05:00Spirit of Saigon & Mekong Delta<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2PmdFWi97BPeXsnWMKHkRGyuBZD15N43wbWfCcqgZz-M5KZ6OwBb8ua9gsyojBmcgkDxk-WIzplrQwxGu1huH8ik_plhYvjJ0hYYGRWN_jy3nfacbquiMoezJKym-cP1uC6U/s1600/P1020483.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2PmdFWi97BPeXsnWMKHkRGyuBZD15N43wbWfCcqgZz-M5KZ6OwBb8ua9gsyojBmcgkDxk-WIzplrQwxGu1huH8ik_plhYvjJ0hYYGRWN_jy3nfacbquiMoezJKym-cP1uC6U/s320/P1020483.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, there is just a few things you can carry by bike or scooter...we took a bunch of pictures of things carried around town. The Locals are VERY creative and resourceful in getting around town and carrying what they need!!!! I don't know where the time went but we are heading to the airport soon for our return flights back to USA!!! </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5TULFkYe1aw1iFpm5v2YNjsQnvyCSK3mp-7nED2iDx59RCHyv11PygX_K44YanlEYtXrEXMZmEkRkELLnoXvFZHyWhbugplHDHlVTfcRISACTwI5sJ0nGflO8l6hjUMh4ceK/s1600/P1020538.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5TULFkYe1aw1iFpm5v2YNjsQnvyCSK3mp-7nED2iDx59RCHyv11PygX_K44YanlEYtXrEXMZmEkRkELLnoXvFZHyWhbugplHDHlVTfcRISACTwI5sJ0nGflO8l6hjUMh4ceK/s320/P1020538.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">One of the highlights of our trip was going down the Mekong Delta by bus, boats and "canoe." It was VERY humid and hot...no exception from the city life. The Mekong Delta people are VERY primitive and had water buffalo and fish in the "pond" on the property. </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOd-1PW9476Go3RjRFA6x17K5fiuId1exzhhe2THCLdVmzSE2S0KT3w4Rk6SR3KVaiP-KhZkb3K0fsPaEilSsuKelRlV45KO6s8XelPxaLN93OZIrDK1FYB01ZWAkNaPaBbr3/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOd-1PW9476Go3RjRFA6x17K5fiuId1exzhhe2THCLdVmzSE2S0KT3w4Rk6SR3KVaiP-KhZkb3K0fsPaEilSsuKelRlV45KO6s8XelPxaLN93OZIrDK1FYB01ZWAkNaPaBbr3/s320/IMG_0510.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">We didn't buy rice hats here but had some given to us during our Mekong Delta tour. You can see the Asian side of Denise come out with this rice hat on her head!!!! :) </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IZkJiZANzkYBrrIV8SYO0djVUmMePfqxM8U0FwhfLCtwJivSixZdINbk6nOKQ9bVtvPxULYWlgOrxeJJ3BwYYUl-VphJ1GlVtS2Y34I5j5dGApeOgxCjUY8Oh8dYW7pacVHp/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IZkJiZANzkYBrrIV8SYO0djVUmMePfqxM8U0FwhfLCtwJivSixZdINbk6nOKQ9bVtvPxULYWlgOrxeJJ3BwYYUl-VphJ1GlVtS2Y34I5j5dGApeOgxCjUY8Oh8dYW7pacVHp/s320/IMG_0524.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">We got to see, taste and buy coconut candy made on the Mekong Delta Island. It was an interesting yet simple process for them. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">We were humbled to see how simple the VN people live. We are grateful the rich nation we live in, it's hard to explain without seeing with your own eyes how VERY poor Vietnam is still today. I will write more later...time to sign off...xoxo Ms. Saigon</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-58000879087308224892010-04-09T11:24:00.000-05:002010-04-09T11:25:19.547-05:00Thurs 8 April 2010 - My orphanage<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">The days are starting to run together and i don't know the dates anymore...but right now it's FRI PM here in Saigon, but FRI AM in USA??? I'm writing about Thurs. PM but your Thurs. had not happened yet...haha!????<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpQMkrrY5zIhKW6x0yhM4JJtSw5Ukxs1GZZJYuxt1b7bK0WWnDAcQXTpP8oDFD6Kh3IncOjB3P9fuPqosxpFQFOZGf-vwY85lXs1w68bP2Am95nZvTJb4UTw5dJLvwP1_umBx/s1600/P1020190.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpQMkrrY5zIhKW6x0yhM4JJtSw5Ukxs1GZZJYuxt1b7bK0WWnDAcQXTpP8oDFD6Kh3IncOjB3P9fuPqosxpFQFOZGf-vwY85lXs1w68bP2Am95nZvTJb4UTw5dJLvwP1_umBx/s320/P1020190.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We went with another Hoi Duc Anh (HDA) adoptee, Tricia (on right)...she was @ HDA only 2 mos. as a baby and then airlifted out in 1975. But, we have gone back together in search of anyone/ any information at that time. </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXH7amRPNk6UOb7vRNKi4NrSlI1NEEiK3nXe4ghWewdd4s3i8fQT85bkXAxaVeVzMcS8xUD9AfYQuwE4H1Q80mnU5uP-zUCsMN_LkgoT1t7SI_OGQ0SIE4PSuO-x6K9To0gDZ/s1600/P1020233.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXH7amRPNk6UOb7vRNKi4NrSlI1NEEiK3nXe4ghWewdd4s3i8fQT85bkXAxaVeVzMcS8xUD9AfYQuwE4H1Q80mnU5uP-zUCsMN_LkgoT1t7SI_OGQ0SIE4PSuO-x6K9To0gDZ/s320/P1020233.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We got a tour of the orphanage with Ms. Phung (on far right) and she is partially blind. She didn't start working at HDA after 1985 (which is now a School for the Blind after Saigon fell). She didn't remember me of course but did run into the "cook" at HDA that WAS THERE since 1970's - remembers the 200+ babies/ kids in my orphanage in the mid-1970's!!!!! Ms. Chau told me that she cared for the kids 7 yrs. of age and older so she did not remember me either. She speculates I was there at HDA since infant/ birth...but since i was a toddler, she didn't recognize me or remember anything about me whereabouts when at HDA. Ms. Chau was so sweet and i told her i would come back to see her in a few days (if/ when i had more information or questions.)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZHFX6upGIjHCoI5jKBrNwNmsx5ETHor-FXaLqgtrkPKCOT18P3HcpiBLBgNUDAMW9UjLmDIMyyAIz_yxCF-pnBQgXjkcIOVj1holFiVmZOCK_co4UatHs2LQkK-ijTLj0GZ-/s1600/P1020239.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZHFX6upGIjHCoI5jKBrNwNmsx5ETHor-FXaLqgtrkPKCOT18P3HcpiBLBgNUDAMW9UjLmDIMyyAIz_yxCF-pnBQgXjkcIOVj1holFiVmZOCK_co4UatHs2LQkK-ijTLj0GZ-/s320/P1020239.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had a photo shoot and DNA meeting and it was GREAT to hang out with fellow adoptees, sharing stories and hysterical and historical memories.) It's really pretty overwhelming and indescribeable to meet/ greet adoptees from my "hood," my background, my timeframe, etc... and here their stories, struggles, blessings...Wow. God has had His hand in all of this...i just sit back and watch Him at work. Yay God....</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgvaveQ8CWlGW1Z_e7LNpPiZmDWRhXuOu2wXRi9OlDmRx0ZkXTupzJxwjd9xWGiXIoBN_btZYSf4icujWwndFdjG2yr8Hl9E4Vv1nIVkNv83eokF7oSB-NBW7CCVx-5ZquXBi/s1600/P1020256.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgvaveQ8CWlGW1Z_e7LNpPiZmDWRhXuOu2wXRi9OlDmRx0ZkXTupzJxwjd9xWGiXIoBN_btZYSf4icujWwndFdjG2yr8Hl9E4Vv1nIVkNv83eokF7oSB-NBW7CCVx-5ZquXBi/s320/P1020256.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I don't have a group picture from last night dinner with the VN adoptees yet online but here is a pic. of "Bong So" (i don't know at all) = VN crepe-like thin pancake...stuffed with foods i don't know or like...haha. Actually this one had bean sprouts and shrimp, it was interesting... but Denise actually really liked it. We at the "Night Market" with about 10-15 other adoptees...it was a great bonding night and time together!!!<br /><br /></div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-43806642310731030742010-04-07T18:45:00.003-05:002010-04-07T19:45:20.402-05:00WED 07 April 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK7SeZBdCYetp1ogp0oSg_mtXaH3O1N96Qhc_V1VoqAXAWaQ_CpPsrgYxzL1B2vghY97FCstFmDoAqmQw3WBXDLfBR7r1L8LrtwWfxf0kt-Trx9p7c3fvOhAgVImxOvMxW4vI/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK7SeZBdCYetp1ogp0oSg_mtXaH3O1N96Qhc_V1VoqAXAWaQ_CpPsrgYxzL1B2vghY97FCstFmDoAqmQw3WBXDLfBR7r1L8LrtwWfxf0kt-Trx9p7c3fvOhAgVImxOvMxW4vI/s320/IMG_0242.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wed. we went to Dam Sen Park in HCM (Ho Chi Minh) City, District 11 where we met several UK VAD (VN adoptees) and one VAD from Austrailia, Germany and Sweden. It was really neat to meet them and start to hear their stories. 3 of the VAD were ON the plane that crashed in early April 1975 when Saigon was falling. Wow, that is amazing...again looking in the face of the God's handiwork.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza4STc6t7-awfR9E8-EbPs2k02E89wf9BUtzgtLpO3KzhUy1U-ywjJfs40nKUSIvDTcAk3bsK1tDTUEK0vSQObxeXm8cuJT2eBR3N2P0Nm5xpQ1-jEfAmIu3OYVa5PHapl5VJ/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza4STc6t7-awfR9E8-EbPs2k02E89wf9BUtzgtLpO3KzhUy1U-ywjJfs40nKUSIvDTcAk3bsK1tDTUEK0vSQObxeXm8cuJT2eBR3N2P0Nm5xpQ1-jEfAmIu3OYVa5PHapl5VJ/s320/IMG_0247.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is the group, I will try to name them from left to right, back row to front: (back) JoKim, Peter, Le Thanh, Victoria, Patrick, (middle) Kim-Lan, Safi, Emma, Dominic, (front) Tricia, Jackie<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_qkmzYuNWlmwj9NSTG6-ZtrZ9GVNFzKadDWrah4pkdPElXL5wwxY8hq_OA-o4k1QYUXflQYeSBKZ6qj44-1IUiQpy_q-2c1C6m7J7bPxGuHQvcpXFo6I2ar70ffnf7syzfIR/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_qkmzYuNWlmwj9NSTG6-ZtrZ9GVNFzKadDWrah4pkdPElXL5wwxY8hq_OA-o4k1QYUXflQYeSBKZ6qj44-1IUiQpy_q-2c1C6m7J7bPxGuHQvcpXFo6I2ar70ffnf7syzfIR/s320/IMG_0259.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The park was really pretty, made a large loop where there was gardens, pagoda houses, engined & paddle boats and even a small amusement park. We hung out there almost all day, it was SOOOO HOT & humid. It was probably 90's in temp & 90% humidity at least.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi007emHWYjKpShxlzatl2CyV7f9HTESN__IE5vIpjgppVPdjUS4-aHn833iddrEkKn5mXHLQQ-9_E8DwROGiyr_9xauUVtzC_TuAb0dUhgQVsyyOkNbSixRHLgmcxJIKvdbews/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi007emHWYjKpShxlzatl2CyV7f9HTESN__IE5vIpjgppVPdjUS4-aHn833iddrEkKn5mXHLQQ-9_E8DwROGiyr_9xauUVtzC_TuAb0dUhgQVsyyOkNbSixRHLgmcxJIKvdbews/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here's a cool dragon from the garden.<br /><br /><br />It appeared to me the UK VAD had already met up/ communicated much before the trip. They had established friendships and it was appearant there was a silent bond in place.<br /><br />How awesome is our God to reunite VAD from around the world, scattered from a result of a chaotic, crazy time of the VN War!!! God DOES make beauty out of our messes...<em> "And we know that for those who love God ALL things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose..." Roman 8:28</em>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-45611559807434851132010-04-06T21:10:00.000-05:002010-04-06T21:10:25.825-05:00We made it to Saigon!!!!<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZJfiR7CzywNhEGG9NPbflx3zYcnPzZHGui8t6b-nHSLYWGh1gUgDtRMkTuD1m0JY6QdtE0kRCUvbxPt2-2clwj_IgdEXrGprkoaf9AJJfrs9j5xPeT9h3NLsNvAo7s8lpI9F/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZJfiR7CzywNhEGG9NPbflx3zYcnPzZHGui8t6b-nHSLYWGh1gUgDtRMkTuD1m0JY6QdtE0kRCUvbxPt2-2clwj_IgdEXrGprkoaf9AJJfrs9j5xPeT9h3NLsNvAo7s8lpI9F/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Well...after 24+ hrs. of traveling and 3 flights from DFW to Seattle, then to Seoul, then onto Saigon...we made it. We made through all securities and check points... My first entry point into Vietnam was greeted by a VN custom man very upset with me that I had a VN name, USA passport, back to my Homeland and no speaky VN= he not happy with me. But, we made it through and then look for David Nguyen since he arrived before us, we were going to taxi to the hotel together. However, in the sea of 300+ VN locals looking for their party, I had NO idea where were going to find VN adoptee!!! I think all Vietnamese people "look the same same." (ha ha) </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLU_dZ0whRMqav2rcxfbxIYsDGM4TSOapkxqwrgZqKJuaB25hJ8cTBRXT7Kbp4ju7L2d9RRe4fioO7AQeTtw3LW4sngMMNTVPrTQT59wYvQFqhfqLKR-kg9ID7PNvu2rDlKj4/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLU_dZ0whRMqav2rcxfbxIYsDGM4TSOapkxqwrgZqKJuaB25hJ8cTBRXT7Kbp4ju7L2d9RRe4fioO7AQeTtw3LW4sngMMNTVPrTQT59wYvQFqhfqLKR-kg9ID7PNvu2rDlKj4/s320/IMG_0232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Then thankfully out of NO where, Anh Dao found me and Denise!!! David was with the welcome group by this point too, I was SO relieved. I KNEW at this point, we were going to be OK :). Like clowns packed in a car.... Anh Dao, Tricia, Jo Kim, David, Mike, Denise and I (PLUS the driver) got into a MINI-van to head to Sanouva hotel. (YES, 8 of us plus all of our luggage in trunk & on laps!!!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDGEpXCfPawW86rCVeyi_mPFNlzqcxz7n3rbD-rE6BX-6W_MWBQiZ8xmOCyJXhHaUTkj-Odem3-WpRbPuA-x2IG9CBWkUhx8YPaoDBO81wY57V8odutBN1_m5HoRM0nT2d8MV/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDGEpXCfPawW86rCVeyi_mPFNlzqcxz7n3rbD-rE6BX-6W_MWBQiZ8xmOCyJXhHaUTkj-Odem3-WpRbPuA-x2IG9CBWkUhx8YPaoDBO81wY57V8odutBN1_m5HoRM0nT2d8MV/s320/IMG_0237.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After settling into our room and getting rest, we woke up to look at our hotel views...here is outside our window looking down from the4th floor, narrow alleys, horns honking and simple living here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlouZSn6MChf5Ly7jJQGrMavJws3_ePGfaDs1AORQZ-wq_XMR6-FCjlH0yGrLKPoiebRBWWSL1NfF1TXHKLM0Uq6IXPDP0OelXTzKt4FrGy3EJhh5fH2aSpQovnNzGyKE5P3T9/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlouZSn6MChf5Ly7jJQGrMavJws3_ePGfaDs1AORQZ-wq_XMR6-FCjlH0yGrLKPoiebRBWWSL1NfF1TXHKLM0Uq6IXPDP0OelXTzKt4FrGy3EJhh5fH2aSpQovnNzGyKE5P3T9/s320/IMG_0238.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Right below our window looking down was VN locals making Pho soup on the streets. We opted for the hotel buffet for breakfast instead which included pureed "vegetable" soup, fried rice, eggs, seafood spaghetti, jack fruit, watermelon, juices and "cafe su da" (Yummy VN coffee, just like how Don makes for me.)<br />Well, we are off to meet some VN adoptees and go to the park...signing off. <br />xoxo Ms. Saigon</div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-64981110366651352142010-04-06T04:03:00.002-05:002010-04-06T04:09:58.352-05:00April5-6, 2010 No night fall here on planewe are at Seoul and I'm struggling头typethis message in English。 I am on a provided<br /> free Internet computer and it's inJapanese。 Hence, the symbols that婆婆 show up。<br /><br />为head头saigon浓雾,ha ha 。。。。We leave soon - justwanted 2 say hello, chao ban!!!!<br /><br />xoxoxoxo please hug my babies and tell them how much i love and miss them!!!!!<br /><br />see you in vietnam...<br />ms. saigon :)Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-16796046561232076352010-04-05T05:30:00.002-05:002010-04-05T05:40:06.407-05:00Saigon bound....I think i'm still in shock that the time has come for me to head to airport for Saigon, VIETNAM. I've waited and anticpated this trip for months and now departure time is upon us. I am traveling with my friend, Denise, who has 2 daughters beautiful, adopted daughters - now teenagers!! One is from Vietnam and one is from India, they are precious and amazing young ladies!!! I am not sure how i feel...I am groggy froggy for sure right now but getting ready to head to the airport. Our first leg will be to Seattle, then Seoul, Korea, then on into Saigon, VIETNAM. Please pray for us, our safe travels, health and whatever God wants to do in our lives through this journey.<br /><br />I will keep you posted should you be interested to see Vietnam through one set of eyes, these orphan eyes.<br /><br />Signing off now...See you Saigon!!!Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-5782547479665371042010-04-02T18:32:00.009-05:002010-04-03T10:23:24.758-05:00A weekend to REMEMBER!!!!!! March 26-28, 2010<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Well, the journey to revisit the beginning years of my life has begun...I am not sure that I will have closure, answers or complete healing in the coming weeks or months that lie ahead...but I am trying to let God hold me through this journey. Last weekend, Don and I flew into Atlanta, GA for Ms. Betty Tisdale's An Lac Orphans Reunion in Columbus, GA!!!!! </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JGcU8AVOS_A1KxkKPWMIThMAPzGKG-dRfTjh-KDTNthYwWpedzEKs6L41iaVfJGo3yt23WSvBE-5jyUdqVpVB-MjYGO9e9B36QpUjhEtMtQ5HDM_lzMXMyYBSJWkpMWUi1YB/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JGcU8AVOS_A1KxkKPWMIThMAPzGKG-dRfTjh-KDTNthYwWpedzEKs6L41iaVfJGo3yt23WSvBE-5jyUdqVpVB-MjYGO9e9B36QpUjhEtMtQ5HDM_lzMXMyYBSJWkpMWUi1YB/s320/IMG_0089.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">My American Twin, Heather & me :)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br />After arriving into Atlanta, our dear friends that we met in Vietnam- 3 years ago - to adopt our babies met us at the airport to go to dinner. We have been blessed beyond words to have Jason, Heather and Rocco Willis to travel, bond and connect with during our adoption pregnancy & after. We got to see Rocco on his birthday weekend, reminiscing when we were coming home to the States with our babies on Rocco's longest and first birthday ever. Because of the time zones & traveling, March 29, 2007 ended up being like 36 hours :). </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAupmmZqd6u5hkNGsomwZLuo0Qb4e-WNRfoc0wFEb5bVv0TnXb7UtdBz6_hgP1jlw62OGaiQPebzo2AQh3xTTd8hyZS0WhTjeUG81LU87WTFLPHNZ11dnYcST7OTaNYruxOHJ/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAupmmZqd6u5hkNGsomwZLuo0Qb4e-WNRfoc0wFEb5bVv0TnXb7UtdBz6_hgP1jlw62OGaiQPebzo2AQh3xTTd8hyZS0WhTjeUG81LU87WTFLPHNZ11dnYcST7OTaNYruxOHJ/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Kim-Lan with Ms. Betty Tisdale & Ms. Truc (Mdm. Ngai's niece)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">It was an honor to meet and thank in person the woman that helped get me out of Vietnam, 35 years ago. I was in one orphanage then transferred to An Lac, then airlifted out with over 200 other babies. I arrived in the States mid April, landed in CA, then onto GA. I was then escorted to Detroit, MI on Tax Day = April 15, 1975 to my mom & grandma. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Truc at the airport and finding our way to the Columbus shuttle together. Ms. Truc was Madame Ngai's niece, the VN Director of An Lac Orphanage. Mdm. Ngai came to the States after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and died 3 years later, 1978 at the age of 73. We had a memorial service for Mdm. Ngai at her grave site. Local & Fox National News covered the whole weekend.<br /></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UVV9iQAEhpVByBa6ZOP6A4eMs7YVh1VxZBT-jBsw1XaG2JmVivljm9lCWwOCKRwrNTxOtjVPjjQ7bPh0T77TffCrRVSH-D__qo_if1jTov6waINrZvju2RUYk7QApfAVrwbl/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UVV9iQAEhpVByBa6ZOP6A4eMs7YVh1VxZBT-jBsw1XaG2JmVivljm9lCWwOCKRwrNTxOtjVPjjQ7bPh0T77TffCrRVSH-D__qo_if1jTov6waINrZvju2RUYk7QApfAVrwbl/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">There were over 50 adoptees gathered here to honor, thank and hug Ms. Betty Tisdale & Ms. Truc. </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjazA8HclB_hqFY_AwOFUD1oDrC-IKj36DleHTMQ6XvAhnQlic8nko_0wtbkENMA2eTqTWPLqWj1oU5t-E-Jc7tkyqpbNICc7TD3wAz-c4FN8HX2soDESeH79EOOma8bSANF75/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjazA8HclB_hqFY_AwOFUD1oDrC-IKj36DleHTMQ6XvAhnQlic8nko_0wtbkENMA2eTqTWPLqWj1oU5t-E-Jc7tkyqpbNICc7TD3wAz-c4FN8HX2soDESeH79EOOma8bSANF75/s320/IMG_0193.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Well, I got to meet the FIRST, taller, prettier Kim-Lan in Ms. Betty's life!!! Betty's 4 daughters came to the GA reunion and they are so beautiful, precious and kind in person as I imagined they would be. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">From Left to Right in the picture above: MaiLara, Kim-Lan (me), Ms. Betty, Xuan, TuVan, Kim Lan (Betty's daughter). </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I am packing now for the next BIG trip to Saigon, Vietnam - in less than 2 days....WOW!!!! Yikes...I'm not sure what I'm feeling but I am thinking, I can't believe the time has come, months of planning, dreaming, praying, waiting...coming down to this moment in time. <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-91770620901043265222010-03-14T23:49:00.001-05:002010-03-14T23:49:59.244-05:00Officially FOREVER OURS 2day - 3 yrs ago!!!<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLDRYAtf-BBBuxYD_c2dui9d6FFmq6XYQr02m3_E0ryhYmrVPW9E8M_OHdwgVBCzzsA9AAuLGJjOZpJgP7-GrWqa69d1iKHhSYWZ8X0-sWbQgKpHfj4C9cb-1hU8Ra0XOUUPb/s1600-h/IMG_3743.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLDRYAtf-BBBuxYD_c2dui9d6FFmq6XYQr02m3_E0ryhYmrVPW9E8M_OHdwgVBCzzsA9AAuLGJjOZpJgP7-GrWqa69d1iKHhSYWZ8X0-sWbQgKpHfj4C9cb-1hU8Ra0XOUUPb/s320/IMG_3743.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here were are the "Giving and Reciving" Ceremony that we had long to receive from our adoption agency. Maile slept through the whole ceremony, but it was still official...and officially for real, forever!!! (Prov. 3:5-6)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0lLQjQvuA4aYDhcK1yQ46yZkrjrws3BwxvFNqcjtrOcyY4Wlclp1TYaaeQ31-yDQmGbpiGF5vZ2vFMztgmjVJBGV22Wio0CoKuza9v7pmlaWCT-yf7rV1VZEpoXIZBDGSlTk/s1600-h/IMG_3821.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0lLQjQvuA4aYDhcK1yQ46yZkrjrws3BwxvFNqcjtrOcyY4Wlclp1TYaaeQ31-yDQmGbpiGF5vZ2vFMztgmjVJBGV22Wio0CoKuza9v7pmlaWCT-yf7rV1VZEpoXIZBDGSlTk/s320/IMG_3821.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We stayed at the nicest Ninh Thuan Hotel (probably the only one)...Heather and I took Maile and Rocco to the pool/ South China Sea beach on the property out our hotel!!!! Maile was 27 mos. and Rocco 11.5 mos. old, they were PRECIOUS to watch explore, hold and get to know in our beginning weeks with them after delivery :)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kBiVZbAH66QfkgY9x3df448aGs-NBkYRwK7iYdCamf6Y9zcdMADCjb_8kqmJwhj3wVlQ58lr-4w0KbFNzqkZ5269eDrMkdf-NGyYRXwhzQez4RpLw9scss-hzB0hp-fJ6St8/s1600-h/IMG_3826.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kBiVZbAH66QfkgY9x3df448aGs-NBkYRwK7iYdCamf6Y9zcdMADCjb_8kqmJwhj3wVlQ58lr-4w0KbFNzqkZ5269eDrMkdf-NGyYRXwhzQez4RpLw9scss-hzB0hp-fJ6St8/s320/IMG_3826.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Maile let me hold her, take care of her and snuggle/ love on her...it was an incredible time of bonding and letting her attach to me. I am honored, humbled and amazed on how well she transitioned into my love and care for her...accepting me & my love for her with open arms and heart. She NEVER cried with me, not from the moment I held her throughout the whole trip...only if Don held her or if she was scared or hurt... (Jer. 33:3)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialxpoJ0xFxJADbh5AbRncnZpAV4bkkOrtt-zMlK7MrJvkXMHImQMK7phqMuV7GvILl3ho_yEko3X-olnjrUw5U_DLIyvLbUHCApBQZU_56ZXzHNe7iZ15pVpIyn0jDOZgOQfP/s1600-h/IMG_3863.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialxpoJ0xFxJADbh5AbRncnZpAV4bkkOrtt-zMlK7MrJvkXMHImQMK7phqMuV7GvILl3ho_yEko3X-olnjrUw5U_DLIyvLbUHCApBQZU_56ZXzHNe7iZ15pVpIyn0jDOZgOQfP/s320/IMG_3863.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We had a GREAT G&R dinner that night celebrating our babies new lives with us. The caregivers & directors of the orphanage celebrated in Vietnamese style = FAMILY style, hugging, singing, welcoming us all into their lives for the moment in time. It was magical, surreal and totally GOD to orchestrate it all!!!! (Phil. 1:6)<br /><br /></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-72232554583609525162010-03-14T23:27:00.001-05:002010-03-14T23:28:41.492-05:00First time i saw your face....<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPeSF4KB8jzWNiOtLoLGd3xjgI5JJrZJBMlyJDIyHzaNRbhqDoTcU930gsqRWvijs_aYbEoh911isesKTNwxT0d29yFYzRcFktttF6H6zDNsHoJnBAIsuW7yHRLT0Dx_qKfFv/s1600-h/G&R+day-3-14-07+first+day+@+beach+3-12-2007+2-48-41+PM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPeSF4KB8jzWNiOtLoLGd3xjgI5JJrZJBMlyJDIyHzaNRbhqDoTcU930gsqRWvijs_aYbEoh911isesKTNwxT0d29yFYzRcFktttF6H6zDNsHoJnBAIsuW7yHRLT0Dx_qKfFv/s320/G&R+day-3-14-07+first+day+%40+beach+3-12-2007+2-48-41+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />i want to never forget what it felt like to see MYSELF in my daughter's eyes...holding her on the balcony of Ninh Thuan's orphanage.<br />I remember the warm breeze briskly sweeping over our heads as i held her close to me...she seems so tiny her, tentative, scared and rightfully guarded of what was going on & the future that lied ahead of her...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqs3q3GSYaz6GlE18okr6Jl57-_puBUrY754ODzTYVhfxSWoPsKKhL29MTtCtZG7m0BLXhDULpPCIr32LJpCDTpg8pKyrX7yE6I0aSbmBzb1pgxdMwFq80OoWnpEEeGfogl5p/s1600-h/Willis+Family+II-Heather+favorite+PIC+3-12-2007+3-01-29+PM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqs3q3GSYaz6GlE18okr6Jl57-_puBUrY754ODzTYVhfxSWoPsKKhL29MTtCtZG7m0BLXhDULpPCIr32LJpCDTpg8pKyrX7yE6I0aSbmBzb1pgxdMwFq80OoWnpEEeGfogl5p/s320/Willis+Family+II-Heather+favorite+PIC+3-12-2007+3-01-29+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We could NOT have had a better family to travel with...we are honored and blessed beyond words to go through Labor & Delivery of our babies with the Willis family!!!! Look at Rooco squeezin' his Mama's cheek and arm around Daddy!!! This was after many tears shed, snuggling and reassuring Rocco he was in GOOD HANDS!!! Well, Rocco was ALWAYS in GOOD HANDS because GOD was carrying Rocco in the palm of His hands!!! We love Jason, Heather & Rocco, a bond and shared memories that will reign in our hearts forever.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlK7csKfT1pTeNDgHT8hr3pH70-UVfuuvBXlyN3QzkyhMK2DGeGiHC8R15xr1TF8nxQxD2ufQBx2R0dvErRXMFBwp2L001C6gXawU1VX8gNRK3YPOOGYr7Zysvq_4xyCUPyjC/s1600-h/face+-+instrumental.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlK7csKfT1pTeNDgHT8hr3pH70-UVfuuvBXlyN3QzkyhMK2DGeGiHC8R15xr1TF8nxQxD2ufQBx2R0dvErRXMFBwp2L001C6gXawU1VX8gNRK3YPOOGYr7Zysvq_4xyCUPyjC/s320/face+-+instrumental.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Look at our baby girl's litle face...oh wow!!!! We had prayed, waited and stared at her referral pictures 100's times a day for over 5 months...then to HOLD her IN PERSON and see her face IN PERSON was surreal. Thuy Trang was NOT as prepared as we were to receive her but she let us take her in, care for her, love her and start the journey of reassuring her she was NOW with her FOREVER FAMILY... March 14, 2007. Wow, God...thank you!!!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj099da97_yq-HIwDB0zyGguO3zcq1QCqvVi1EVqSWFf5fUtQOdlVBkqHuC6VKI3nksYjwxIq4j__YnNLSnI7GjFjQUE5VKJxwFUYlA9GLrUKDFYkpP5jZIIK3Q_WpV8t3Uk73V/s1600-h/leavin+Maile+last+time+at+NT+3-13-07+3-12-2007+4-05-49+PM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj099da97_yq-HIwDB0zyGguO3zcq1QCqvVi1EVqSWFf5fUtQOdlVBkqHuC6VKI3nksYjwxIq4j__YnNLSnI7GjFjQUE5VKJxwFUYlA9GLrUKDFYkpP5jZIIK3Q_WpV8t3Uk73V/s320/leavin+Maile+last+time+at+NT+3-13-07+3-12-2007+4-05-49+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Oh my heart ached to leave her that 1st day...Look at Maile staring at us, "So, you are going to leave me, like everyone else who has come and gone???" - is what I imagine her saying!!!! Rocco is sitting on floor behind her and VN caregivers off in the background. It was sooooo difficult to somehow communicate NON verbally, we would be back the next day to get her FOREVER!!!! My heart still aches and cries bittersweet tears to want to tell Maile's birthmother, she is in good hands...we love her...we choose her....we will take care of her heart and life. It's NOT by accident her birthmother's MOST courageous act of LOVE ended up to be our answered prayer on this side of the ocean. We have 2 amazing, brave and strong BIG brothers who love and adore their littl' sister too. Wow, again God... I say THANK YOU!!!!<br /><br /></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-39173337203249852232010-03-13T22:39:00.001-06:002010-03-13T23:32:01.045-06:003 years ago TODAY -March 13 - we met our babies for the FIRST time<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-qlwCorRYnPDUBKd-0rAkpGrHDqIXDANCwrtVa8LzQjUkDGbDKCrpmb5vWeDdSGOZdBcr23erQXzfCyGKw09buuM0OzSFUy42UH4-BljZN-r2OuxgYodbejs0qhTwFZYsF9y/s1600-h/Heather+%26+KL+ready+to+see+our+babies+3-12-2007+2-03-15+PM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-qlwCorRYnPDUBKd-0rAkpGrHDqIXDANCwrtVa8LzQjUkDGbDKCrpmb5vWeDdSGOZdBcr23erQXzfCyGKw09buuM0OzSFUy42UH4-BljZN-r2OuxgYodbejs0qhTwFZYsF9y/s320/Heather+%26+KL+ready+to+see+our+babies+3-12-2007+2-03-15+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Oh my goodness, this picture was taken moments before entering Ninh Thuan Social Services (Rocco & Maile's orphanage). Heather and I had our hearts pounding and palms sweating!!!! We were in Labor & Delivery together of our adoption pregnancy... ALL coming down to this Moment in Time = March 13, 2007 - 15:00 hr!!!!!! Meeting less than 50 hrs. prior to this moment, God would BOND us FOREVER in a journey to our babies that would last a lifetime!!!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52Wo59VU_n7a6R1cthgBhPOqL2GiMZ0r2DjpmB_fit35r96Bf_BYEhZq6jBPpRnS-pUz7sbd9yJxSk4S42iH8NxD3WDz6q4M-hwDi04LwzE95PV1F_PVNbi2IeFx4sx5mM_9J/s1600-h/Maile+on+top+steps+3-12-2007+2-04-55+PM+3-12-2007+2-04-55+PM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52Wo59VU_n7a6R1cthgBhPOqL2GiMZ0r2DjpmB_fit35r96Bf_BYEhZq6jBPpRnS-pUz7sbd9yJxSk4S42iH8NxD3WDz6q4M-hwDi04LwzE95PV1F_PVNbi2IeFx4sx5mM_9J/s320/Maile+on+top+steps+3-12-2007+2-04-55+PM+3-12-2007+2-04-55+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">As we parked at the orphanage, we could see the babies at the top of the steps. I could NOT believe MY baby was looking at us NOT knowing what would lie ahead. Maile Noel (Thuy<br />Trang) would be the one at the top of steps in yellow shorts looking, watching and maybe NOT even hoping we were there for HER!!! I don't know what ran through her precious little mind, but they would soon whisk her away to change her clothes. Rocco was already summoned and being dressed as he would come onto the scene - MINUTES after WE met Maile for the FIRST time!!! Climbing the stairs to her was SURREAL like a scene out of "Chariots of Fire" - we could not climb them fast enough, felt like slow motion....</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuT-wkgMAc76Dv2-g7HRlGPgcFPiN_ukZJam-c0q6tyUvvIdhjw0aHaoDcuDzACiillbDQ3zmM76CmMBXc8jDt0R_utgv6DdHxDAey3zXrvUJqCajYSh4aTzCpqu0sJzc1X43/s1600-h/Maile+first+CRY-with+Ba-+3-12-2007+2-15-50+PM+3-12-2007+2-15-50+PM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuT-wkgMAc76Dv2-g7HRlGPgcFPiN_ukZJam-c0q6tyUvvIdhjw0aHaoDcuDzACiillbDQ3zmM76CmMBXc8jDt0R_utgv6DdHxDAey3zXrvUJqCajYSh4aTzCpqu0sJzc1X43/s320/Maile+first+CRY-with+Ba-+3-12-2007+2-15-50+PM+3-12-2007+2-15-50+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I held Maile and she didn't cry, get scared or budge...she let me HOLD her and talk softly to her. But, when Daddy held her for the first time (above) ...She was SCARED TO DEATH to see "white monster" holding her!!!! Her little cry - was actually loud, but i had NEVER heard her voice, cry, talk, nothing... She CRIED when Don held her!!! Instinctively, I took her from Don to relieve them both, she STOPPED crying!!! I don't know, but can only HOPE, they prepared the "older" kids that their "forever families" were coming to get them?? </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I don't know much about Maile's days while there or leading her to get there to begin with... but I DO KNOW </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">God is good... ALL the time!! And ALL the time....God is good!!!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtucJ-AwT5FafuUS-a5UZYBOa0YYcPY1GAVJHygL79hDHdYJBzCW4xoycgH8mJX0wqqPvmGJAZ8SyL0-tmbcONGfodzCURBQSChmwPYTkuLWscg1DMP08yECuOiSuFmENeJ0hW/s1600-h/snuggle+II+3-12-2007+2-28-58+PM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtucJ-AwT5FafuUS-a5UZYBOa0YYcPY1GAVJHygL79hDHdYJBzCW4xoycgH8mJX0wqqPvmGJAZ8SyL0-tmbcONGfodzCURBQSChmwPYTkuLWscg1DMP08yECuOiSuFmENeJ0hW/s320/snuggle+II+3-12-2007+2-28-58+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I had SO many precious moments with Maile... we STILL call her "Thuy Trang" (Twee Jang) or Trang-y (Jangy). She let me hold her, touch her, explore her body, hair & eyes... I SAW the reflection of ME in HER eyes...wow!!! She was/ is so precious, sweet and so unsure of what to expect. I don't blame her one bit... 2mrrow 3/14 marks the actual G&R date - Giving & Receiving Maile.... i will try to post more pictures. Sharing Labor & Delivery with the Willis Family was one of God's greatest blessings He poured out to us on this journey!!! THANK YOU Heather & Jason (& Rocco) ...and THANK YOU GOD for them!!!! (Phil. 1:3)</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-45841122939730914502009-12-25T15:08:00.002-06:002009-12-31T18:32:16.096-06:00Mung Chua Nam Moi<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDO8Cd7X7n3sK07A1A1VieW7viifbR59k8_KYy5gZGT0mdM2vGNQYkf-rG3xiR3nt8LofUuM8nDZ9dvKYvZuPTE8idDq2jVdpT2zq1Q3-YScZFvLc2eGjm_6LdnDolF6SHSGS/s1600-h/IMG_9896.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDO8Cd7X7n3sK07A1A1VieW7viifbR59k8_KYy5gZGT0mdM2vGNQYkf-rG3xiR3nt8LofUuM8nDZ9dvKYvZuPTE8idDq2jVdpT2zq1Q3-YScZFvLc2eGjm_6LdnDolF6SHSGS/s320/IMG_9896.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Christmas Morning...look at our little angels looking for the reindeer tracks from Santa!! It was a great Christmas for our "babies." You might be able to see through the window, we have a little snow outside. It was the first time in 100 years that N. TEXAS got a white Christmas!!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaQ1cVODv_lW8ynjRmJ_O8eMJOuOGN7_PQq_lPOSsKmC454EDul8Z9Zh9jvszvH2JrP9GXJjJ0pkX6CrXP5LfejP-vLIi-AFvpVG50z0eZ95ImvySWBn3QydjCKJZKnjksX2o/s1600-h/IMG_0005.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaQ1cVODv_lW8ynjRmJ_O8eMJOuOGN7_PQq_lPOSsKmC454EDul8Z9Zh9jvszvH2JrP9GXJjJ0pkX6CrXP5LfejP-vLIi-AFvpVG50z0eZ95ImvySWBn3QydjCKJZKnjksX2o/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Look at these happy faces with cool gifts: </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Joseph = hockey gear; </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Maile = rock star guitar & sunglasses; </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Sammy = new basketball </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV3d9mHPfdVR-Mf8fSiA4h2skBm2fCWMgMnCopxKB7B19ZqfmojG91kpmbgbbSbvu2tpIpmoM9JoitiCUMORMYiwAhj1W6j_OQxlT6q4MCTuGrKjUKcSDnp_sCbln_6Rvd-fY/s1600-h/IMG_0013.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV3d9mHPfdVR-Mf8fSiA4h2skBm2fCWMgMnCopxKB7B19ZqfmojG91kpmbgbbSbvu2tpIpmoM9JoitiCUMORMYiwAhj1W6j_OQxlT6q4MCTuGrKjUKcSDnp_sCbln_6Rvd-fY/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Grandma Lizzy enjoying her grandkids...and holding picture ornaments. </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWco-6vVlD1HfJjmXnFJ1xhcSAX-hzsdUF8kIuSYT99KJ_Z_-K6OKOgjUqD-wOAiLgZc9WF4fcRK0eMc8BMTaRODrZ0WLPhPq15uFGADkMBzNonSJKVJ7bjW3fOEPBYWrWdmCi/s1600-h/IMG_0014.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWco-6vVlD1HfJjmXnFJ1xhcSAX-hzsdUF8kIuSYT99KJ_Z_-K6OKOgjUqD-wOAiLgZc9WF4fcRK0eMc8BMTaRODrZ0WLPhPq15uFGADkMBzNonSJKVJ7bjW3fOEPBYWrWdmCi/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Look how cute our Joe Joe Hockey Star is...He is so adorable, striking, ready for the ice and now stands taller than me!!! Oh how I love my "babies." They are the light of my life and gifts from God far more than I could ever ask for or deserve. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Chua Mung Nam Moi = Merry Christmas & Happy New Year in Vietnamese</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">We pray God holds you throughout the New Year and tells you WHO you are, not the "things" of this world or by people, status or jobs... Jesus Christ came INTO THIS WORLD to be a light and offer HIS gift of salvation for all those who open & receive His gift. May you KNOW He died on the cross for your sins and rose again to have eternal life. (John 3:16)</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-91816443761361990372009-06-27T19:45:00.000-05:002009-06-27T19:45:59.768-05:00Whoa...where did JUNE go???<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">27 JUNE 2009...Yes, I know it's been a long while since my last entry...I don't know even know when the last one was. My American "blonde" twin Heather in GA says I need to update my blog so here is the BRIEF re-cap of the last 2 weeks in a tailspin, crazy, mind blowing but give GOD ALL THE GLORY events!!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44t_Gny1tpgNQ-0IOaQDpD5Fb7-gosA-owaG4oBi04uAdSGcgD4dQnZROivZGchAZGXH3Zs6FfuNveqj5IbnZGSo5Kx_hdOxTbO1vqae7U9c9zWlnY6bLER9p90MSLLCPjPo8/s1600-h/Carlsons+%26+Dillons+6-13-2009+2-26-30+AM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44t_Gny1tpgNQ-0IOaQDpD5Fb7-gosA-owaG4oBi04uAdSGcgD4dQnZROivZGchAZGXH3Zs6FfuNveqj5IbnZGSo5Kx_hdOxTbO1vqae7U9c9zWlnY6bLER9p90MSLLCPjPo8/s320/Carlsons+%26+Dillons+6-13-2009+2-26-30+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />God totally made me step OUT of my comfort box and into the arena of NOT only PUBLIC SPEAKING event, but share about MY PERSONAL JOURNEY of being adopted and then adopting our daughter, just over 2 years ago, March 2007. I had the distinct honor to be asked by Dillon International Adoption Agency to be the KEYNOTE SPEAKER to Vietnam Heritage Weekend this past JUNE 13, 2009!!! Yikes, I had NEVER spoken over 3 mins. in my life, did they even know this before asking me??? There was pressure leading up to getting ready for my DANCE studio annual season-ending concert, then this speech thrown in ONE WEEK before my Student Concert!!! God is good, He let me share slideshows, pictures, my heart, my fears, my story...past, present and future. I could learn some things I'm sure, but overall very well recieved by all. BEST compliment of all was when JERRY DILLON, himself (upper RT in pic), that I emotionally engaged the audience and he thinks I have a natural and hidden talent in PUBLIC SPEAKING!!! wow!!! </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8bvqo58lfHq-epgxUzlwlLLbWB1yzlqxU-cqm6zkv3VkFxTKpfDxcSQea5-U47yJTGgwFbJ7jP03SwEomWe_t8CZEKXFrjmSN0Xd2GNojdC6yp6eVnhHWbByeApwKMZYYTsm/s1600-h/Maile+%26+Alex+-NT+6-13-2009+2-33-25+AM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8bvqo58lfHq-epgxUzlwlLLbWB1yzlqxU-cqm6zkv3VkFxTKpfDxcSQea5-U47yJTGgwFbJ7jP03SwEomWe_t8CZEKXFrjmSN0Xd2GNojdC6yp6eVnhHWbByeApwKMZYYTsm/s320/Maile+%26+Alex+-NT+6-13-2009+2-33-25+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This adorable picture of Maile & Alex reunited from days in the Ninh Thuan Orphanage...the 3 little boys that Maile hung out with in the orphanage were back together again, out of their SANTA outfits and into "All American" clothing. CUTE as can be....SWEET as American Apple Pie!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQ6aW6N8y4fFWNjr_YF2bpIRHJnRUXOvBBFwqIknZPgHta-690y9pkQ9BdTWdzmQkUtatP49cEZB4wH2h0NH-6_oRQe1e0DB0S1AwcCBG0-ED9xdAThB_bAyYGqf8EEONHPH5/s1600-h/Carlson+kids++%26+Sam+%26+Alex+6-13-2009+2-36-09+AM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQ6aW6N8y4fFWNjr_YF2bpIRHJnRUXOvBBFwqIknZPgHta-690y9pkQ9BdTWdzmQkUtatP49cEZB4wH2h0NH-6_oRQe1e0DB0S1AwcCBG0-ED9xdAThB_bAyYGqf8EEONHPH5/s320/Carlson+kids++%26+Sam+%26+Alex+6-13-2009+2-36-09+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I believe that Maile was prepared in being "trained up" to handle her BIG brothers here in TEXAS with the help of her playmates - SAMUEL (Left of Maile in Pic) and ALEX (Rt of Maile in Pic) with her Big brothers (on top of pic). Wow, as I shared in my speech, the FINGERPRINTS OF GOD has carried me through many hardships, heart breaks, blessings and honors in my life. And I see HIS HAND in it all when I kiss my babies good night...and then again in the morning!!! I am humbled to be Joseph, Samuel & Maile's Mommy...FOREVER!!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9iudyoBInIEVJ4XUtFlAV0nV_ifyS2rRVtzFUIrI3j7HtdtVfJuL39HKiPIgg_KfyXjW2KsNa60w5yAg-P6uUhNS88NzlwgaLoum4vItGHXzzHF_NOqr0V5EQwB6H6cqM6QG/s1600-h/encore+691.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9iudyoBInIEVJ4XUtFlAV0nV_ifyS2rRVtzFUIrI3j7HtdtVfJuL39HKiPIgg_KfyXjW2KsNa60w5yAg-P6uUhNS88NzlwgaLoum4vItGHXzzHF_NOqr0V5EQwB6H6cqM6QG/s320/encore+691.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />To my "Joe Joe," "Sammy Shoe Shine," & "Smiley Maile"....wow, to share my life, dance studio, passion in ministry to lead and love others, our dreams, hopes and fears...together--- I THANK YOU. We had an AMAZING year end concert, one week after my speech. Sat. June 20, 2009 we had almost 2 SOLD OUT shows (approx. 600 seats) to cheer, love and support my Encore DANCERS!!! I KNOW God was FAMOUS that day as we rocked the house for HIS glory...DANCING with PURPOSE for Him!!! We serve a Mighty God.... Heather, you're right... Jer. 33:3 "Call unto Me, I will answer you and show you Great and Mighty things that you do NOT know..." I made it through a tough season, leaning, crying and seeking God. He was FAITHFUL to show me HIS ways, HIS love, HIS truths. I cannot wait for a NEW season at Encore...renewed, stronger and better than ever!!! Yay God!!! </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-36952218239186775372009-03-09T21:42:00.003-05:002009-03-09T21:52:42.626-05:00I come...Just as I am...<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Today 3 9 2009 my heart aches on many fronts, it's a season of growth for me...and I am feeling the growing pains. I have had to come to learn to stand on my own 2 feet, finding my identity in Christ alone...no one else, not my husband, mom, family, friends, job, etc... We had an "Encounter" with God at church this past weekend and it was humbling and encouraging to feel God's presence. It is VERY hard for me to wrap my brain and heart around HIS blood was shed for ME too, there is forgiveness for me as well. I DO have the Faith of a MUSTARD SEED, so I thought that alone would be enough. However, I know the enemy is trying to weigh me down, I feel I'm under attack. I KNOW the Enemy will NOT win, but my heart is searching healing, love, grace and peace...<br /><br />My American blond, sometimes red head "twin" Heather shared with me this past summer the SIMPLE ASIAN VERSION of a verse that I have come to find great peace & comfort in, <em><strong>" Call unto me and I will answer you & show you great & mighty things that you do not know..."</strong></em> (Jer. 33:3)<br />Where there is brokenness, I am seeking God to restore...<br />Where there is betrayal, I am looking to God for trust in the truth...<br />Where there is rejection, I am searching to God for acceptance...<br />Where there is guilt & shame, I am praying for God's grace...<br />Where there is loss, I am hoping for God to fill me...<br />Where there are fears, I am waiting for God's peace...<br />Where there is lonliness...I am counting on God to hold me...<br />Where there are tears...I am holding onto God's LOVE...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYBB2hUOoB5-5DInPEtgzDF0DQGOV_jRHQ8E9K0B9_XX19iVpbIisXciP56BSvhPLEULPQmsThbFNRK6aBcMFr7tT5lgLLEBHsiXni7Oh58t6PYwAsUwE03BzMv3CS4on9cM1/s1600-h/Maile+now+3-15-08+3-15-2008+1-17-16+AM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYBB2hUOoB5-5DInPEtgzDF0DQGOV_jRHQ8E9K0B9_XX19iVpbIisXciP56BSvhPLEULPQmsThbFNRK6aBcMFr7tT5lgLLEBHsiXni7Oh58t6PYwAsUwE03BzMv3CS4on9cM1/s320/Maile+now+3-15-08+3-15-2008+1-17-16+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />2 years ago we were packing and anxiously anticipating our travels to get our baby girl, Thuy Trang from VIETNAM. We would be traveling to meet lifelong friends, the Willis Family - Jason & Heather, who would be receiving their first born son!!! THIS SAT 3/14/09 We (& total 4 other families around the USA from our agency) will be celebrating our 2 years anniversary of our "GIVING & RECEIVING DATE" of getting our babies FOREVER!!! Wow, look at how amazingly well Miss Maile Girl fits into our family of 5 now!!! She is tenacious, sassy, incredibly sweet & sensitve, determined, so smart and most importantly...FOREVER OURS!!!! </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDOxKb1U3UaP45w6z2ctWMeuMU6y1AmQRY3XhnGrPUb12Q-9ZFRP0hc9FNU3HNp45O5mWKOy9z_sU-h6D-pDKBsGIChnLLlra44ag8HN8vq6O_iaDzi_Ft5gMbqsIYKHwf5pm/s1600-h/Maile+xo+Joe+&+Sam+-Mar08.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDOxKb1U3UaP45w6z2ctWMeuMU6y1AmQRY3XhnGrPUb12Q-9ZFRP0hc9FNU3HNp45O5mWKOy9z_sU-h6D-pDKBsGIChnLLlra44ag8HN8vq6O_iaDzi_Ft5gMbqsIYKHwf5pm/s320/Maile+xo+Joe+%26+Sam+-Mar08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here are our sweet babies from last spring, true love...forever true!!! Could I even imagine it getting any better than this?? I think not.. We love you Joseph & Samuel & Maile Noel...we are honored & privileged to be your parents. We thank God for you everyday!!! We pray to the core of your souls, you know how VERY MUCH we LOVE YOU & so PROUD of you, not what you DO in life, but WHO you are in Christ!!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJMt0RdbGp2hwJAufF6-EVRZ8Rj0ZiA7QjXeaEfXFe6_H6Vr3jR239j2Owl72ah4Qxdi2eOBEy7jZx8QfB_zYZPxfm7eR_ZsN1H57sR_4jCHVAs5rVFQoz6j_gYPNCE_kaFrr/s1600-h/Maile-Taylor-Savannah.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJMt0RdbGp2hwJAufF6-EVRZ8Rj0ZiA7QjXeaEfXFe6_H6Vr3jR239j2Owl72ah4Qxdi2eOBEy7jZx8QfB_zYZPxfm7eR_ZsN1H57sR_4jCHVAs5rVFQoz6j_gYPNCE_kaFrr/s320/Maile-Taylor-Savannah.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of my FAVORITE pictures of Maile with dance friends, Taylor & Savannah, back stage getting ready to dance in Student Concert. How sweet are these glitter girls...ahhhh makes my heart DANCE to see them!!! Encore & these dancers (all of my dancers at the studio) are a dream come true...to see the Handiwork of God in HIS purpose & glory be shown through the ministries in DANCE!!! Wow, THANK YOU GOD!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xilwFZg9WM12MCEQIZKhOOtflQIhHy9W-VSIGJ-a-Fc6C5TjF-5QfRB1HdXYoJLKBLRKN74htkfOxTVAKVwHyZdQerWQ0EJCKqOLh7Ndu6_99uGNPaw_5JlBOyevcGL5NNs7/s1600-h/P1030524.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xilwFZg9WM12MCEQIZKhOOtflQIhHy9W-VSIGJ-a-Fc6C5TjF-5QfRB1HdXYoJLKBLRKN74htkfOxTVAKVwHyZdQerWQ0EJCKqOLh7Ndu6_99uGNPaw_5JlBOyevcGL5NNs7/s320/P1030524.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />"If they could see us now..." We have all come a long way and continue to strive to serve Him daily. I heard this song today and the lyrics made me cry...just to feel so vulnerable to God, trying to do the best I can...yet it's NOT about MY WORKS on this side of heaven...it's about coming to Him "Just as I am" (by Kristen Michelle Reynolds for lyrics). Here's some of the lyrics:<br /><br />I wondered how to come to You,<br />I did not dare believe it true, that You regard the orphaned ones:<br />beloved daughters, worthy sons,<br />the broken and the barren too,<br />I heard I could find some rest in You.<br /><br />What kind of love in injury's place,<br />would leave instead the stain of grace?<br />So I come in sorrow and I come in shame.<br />I come to the cross with my pain.<br /><br />Just as I am, without one plea,<br />but that thy blood was shed for me<br />and that Thou bidst me come to Thee,<br />O Lamb of God, I come, I come.<br /><br /></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-27440740534447099132009-01-03T23:23:00.003-06:002009-01-03T23:32:15.595-06:00Chuc Mung Nam Moi = Happy New Year 2009<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Thank goodness 2008 is over and we begin a New Year... Last year was NOT horrible, but not great to be completely honest. It was year of loss, grief, sadness, rebuilding and growth for me. I KNOW God will continue to use me for HIS glory as I push through the pain of change, learning and growing closer to Him and others that He blesses me to be in relationship/ friendships with. Just like my "twin-kie" Heather and my "S.A.V." (Simple Asian Version) of the bible verse: <strong><em>"Call unto me and I will answer you, show you great and mighty things that you do not know..." -</em> Jer. 33:3.</strong> I get a sense of renewal in beginning a New Year of HIS Grace, Hope, Love & Mercy...May it bring healing, truth, unconditional love and friendships that are built on HIS foundation of honor, respect and integrity.<br /><br />This is a poem from Heather that she shared on her blog. Having the honor and privilege to visit our "2nd" family: Willis in GA after Christmas, I see more and more the blessing of seeing the bond & friendship building from Maile & Rocco sharing days from the Ninh Thuan Vietnam Orphanage to days together on this side of the ocean!!! Wow, that is a GIFT from God...and to love & respect the Willis Family even more than we could even imagine for their hospitality, love and generosity is humbling and overwhelming! When you read this poem you will in the following pictures how these littl' lives could grow and heal when LOVE comes into their heart/ lives!!!! THANK YOU GOD for giving us these babies that YOU hand picked for us!!! Forever grateful...Forever changed!!!<br /><br /><strong><em>Every call has a beginning. A quiet moment when God whispers a promise to a mother’s heart A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts the journey set before him. A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…Casting its first light on a chosen threshold. A gentle knock..a closed door opens. A sacred invitation sent by the Father..Leads to the other side of the world. Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows Praying for someone to care.. And then one morning, On an ordinary day An orphan’s life changes... God sends them a second chance...Through you.--author unknown</em></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_FW35VXoIKoVMgz9In4haEIzRcS7ANkiAdiog0vpcqf8bzGqx-uFY_NeYiJ7QwBxxsOOJKfUsB83AC4MTCoMOqxS2F7jS7ZWSt42Qh_UjNTdVVRu1PS0JoOEHOyWXRK5z7bw/s1600-h/IMG_8826.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_FW35VXoIKoVMgz9In4haEIzRcS7ANkiAdiog0vpcqf8bzGqx-uFY_NeYiJ7QwBxxsOOJKfUsB83AC4MTCoMOqxS2F7jS7ZWSt42Qh_UjNTdVVRu1PS0JoOEHOyWXRK5z7bw/s320/IMG_8826.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />(L to R) Joseph, Drew, Samuel, Maile & Rocco sharing in Sunday Lunch at Jason's Grandparents trailer on their property. As predicted like our last visit in June, everyone got along great...played, laughed, cried, whined :), rested and played some more... It felt like we were "back home with family" on the Willis property/ farm. We love you. THANK YOU....</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC_YL-ap2FLCdz1ValfyGC___q5MTK7NeWY5vwW6lTqBTdvrKcjwbOSak23cASq7vaXHEYZIGG41DiOVcv7pE_wyqJXJQZ94y_85iOJSX9rnZ8QkJOrabsTD3DXj180aQAMT9/s1600-h/IMG_8830.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC_YL-ap2FLCdz1ValfyGC___q5MTK7NeWY5vwW6lTqBTdvrKcjwbOSak23cASq7vaXHEYZIGG41DiOVcv7pE_wyqJXJQZ94y_85iOJSX9rnZ8QkJOrabsTD3DXj180aQAMT9/s320/IMG_8830.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div>My Twin-kie, Heather, took my crew and niece/ nephew out on one of her CRAZY go-cart rides...it was a chilly 40 degrees out so they had to bundle up esp. with the crisp winds blowing around in farm country. I decided to sacrifice my spot so there would be room for the kids! :) They had a great time and Sammy asked for an "Encore" performance everyday after... ha! We LOVE you Aunt Heather :)...<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO42EtoI33Fi81lkiYSWj2fHST5LAZrG77U4qNwalSZMBp3s4yVzNf2htZNEXAG74huGo3RXDT-o65kj8ScHpiAKOUVLehE39cPnu5uI6YriLDDfnrjxs5N-v2X3XniXpDRpU/s1600-h/IMG_8863.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO42EtoI33Fi81lkiYSWj2fHST5LAZrG77U4qNwalSZMBp3s4yVzNf2htZNEXAG74huGo3RXDT-o65kj8ScHpiAKOUVLehE39cPnu5uI6YriLDDfnrjxs5N-v2X3XniXpDRpU/s320/IMG_8863.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a sweet pictures of the Mommies and our babies...Rocco stands just a inch or two below Maile...Rocco's growth in height and words were amazing to see/ hear!!! He has shot up just from 6 mos. ago of seeing him!!! We are back at "Cave Spring" GA - where the fresh spring water flows from the rivers down to the springs from the caves and you can drink "straight from the tap." We enjoyed a "warm front" with weather beaming 60-65 degrees outside with warm breeze and sun rays dancing around us. It was a fun and relaxing am with the "3 Musketeers" - Joseph, Drew and Samuel and our littl' peanuts in tow: Maile & Rocco. They are so precious.</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGc_RRafHOsy02nJT07-sFhlNt0z-BoZU_T_-AnF9kqV-kpzkO74ZWlznELInRybOlhcyZelmyFqgG5kzKz5lkvh8eMPvZJ3pLbH4S9nciSSEOuDNGbA2z0xwHUHWbj4mrXJ9/s1600-h/IMG_8902-1.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGc_RRafHOsy02nJT07-sFhlNt0z-BoZU_T_-AnF9kqV-kpzkO74ZWlznELInRybOlhcyZelmyFqgG5kzKz5lkvh8eMPvZJ3pLbH4S9nciSSEOuDNGbA2z0xwHUHWbj4mrXJ9/s320/IMG_8902-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I can only post 4 pictures at a time with this photo program and one of my FAVORITE photos is the last one I took before leaving GA!!! Uncle Jason kissing Maile "good-bye" (I mean, "see you later!!!") How sweet and content is that littl' Maile girl's face with Uncle Jason's kisses on her cheek. Our Maile Noel THUY TRANG took to Jason right away in Vietnam (before "Ba" = Daddy) and it's almost like this kinship she knows/ remembers how strong and safe Uncle Jason feels to her. Feeing SAFE in the arms of a man is my heart's desire ALWAYS for my baby girl...my prayer is God would allow my babies to RUN 2 HIM, Trust in Him, Love & Serve Him COMPLETELY...and feel SAFE in the Palm of HIS hands to carry them through EVERYTHING in life. This side of heaven is so tough...but we serve a Mighty God who will NEVER forsake us. He is ALWAYS wanting relationship with us, waiting for US to go to HIM, not US thinking He has left us...Hard concept for me to wrap my brain around. I have been learning to TRUST everything I have, especially MY HEART, in the Palm of God's hands and NO imperfect "man" here on this side of heaven... (Prov. 3:5-6)<br /><br />Willis Family: We love you...we thank God for you...(Phil. 1:3) - we can't wait to see you again!!! </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">xoxo Kim-Lan & crew<br /></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-91986542906344781872008-10-16T04:14:00.005-05:002008-10-16T04:25:17.798-05:00If they could see me now...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAVCNJJsUI9p7B5SYYDjaYdNkrIwL_yc4Xb7lblq5ZlwRtVsbzzTSZ_xOlD3Kt4MSI8v-da_uM61IhdLuo0mtJnEp3U3PKpalvhKwAkWp_dp0t9W75t-5GNRe3AjYz1-_oUES/s1600-h/instrumental+interlude+begins.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAVCNJJsUI9p7B5SYYDjaYdNkrIwL_yc4Xb7lblq5ZlwRtVsbzzTSZ_xOlD3Kt4MSI8v-da_uM61IhdLuo0mtJnEp3U3PKpalvhKwAkWp_dp0t9W75t-5GNRe3AjYz1-_oUES/s320/instrumental+interlude+begins.jpg" border="0" /></a>Picture this: One little Orphan girl, 3.5 years old, 33" and 23 lbs. in Saigon, Vietnam...end of the Vietnam War when Saigon is "falling" and Operation Baby Airlift is underway...this would be the one of the FIRST photos my Mother would receive of me - a snapshot into her future daughter's eyes. During a period of time when there was so much uncertainty, change, chaos...one brave, single woman would have the COURAGE to adopt a little Vietnamese toddler! <strong>COURAGE:</strong> It is not the action in <strong>ABSENCE of FEAR...</strong>it is the action <em><strong>INSPITE OF FEAR...<br /></strong></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqSFrwdftHLNvs0eRnzCEZmUO8FVVFTrTRpCL092uy3RdkKrsSiIvDn7yV9PDWmv8ChhmFrot8N8Pot2QhtBIsByxV0wwIbzZS7OpgjAqW-XNwoJlJT6K7pK9n9YJ8p6b7Ff5/s1600-h/instrumental+interlude+I.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqSFrwdftHLNvs0eRnzCEZmUO8FVVFTrTRpCL092uy3RdkKrsSiIvDn7yV9PDWmv8ChhmFrot8N8Pot2QhtBIsByxV0wwIbzZS7OpgjAqW-XNwoJlJT6K7pK9n9YJ8p6b7Ff5/s320/instrumental+interlude+I.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you to my Mom & Grandma for having the COURAGE to raise me and do the best you could!!! Without a father figure or brothers or male role models in my life, I am learning from my God-given friend :) that self-reliance, self worth and self survival comes from leaning and trusting in God through my WEAKNESSES (not just my strengths!) My GA *twin* girl :) - shared a verse with me this past summer that I meditate on now daily - <strong>Jer. 33:3</strong> and the SAV (Simple Asian Version) translation = <em><strong>"Call unto me & I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know..."<br /></strong></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuLhFJqFgI3fZ9rrzoUd6VgkMm0UZzHpAQ1aJCs1pCe_sBYdwncq5rLUejBcdfAfd0kuNGlRBa0dChDy-ykXDXHFfUeHFvfeNV2m03W_JaJo-1rZYg-2XhrlxboQCLnTFjLQM/s1600-h/Maile+Noel+Thuy+Trang+as+ORPHAN+in+VIETNAM-Oct+2006+11-26-2006+4-59-27+PM.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuLhFJqFgI3fZ9rrzoUd6VgkMm0UZzHpAQ1aJCs1pCe_sBYdwncq5rLUejBcdfAfd0kuNGlRBa0dChDy-ykXDXHFfUeHFvfeNV2m03W_JaJo-1rZYg-2XhrlxboQCLnTFjLQM/s320/Maile+Noel+Thuy+Trang+as+ORPHAN+in+VIETNAM-Oct+2006+11-26-2006+4-59-27+PM.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Little would we realize from the photo above, of my 3 generation women family, would then lead into our 3rd generation adoption legacy. My mom was adopted by my Grandma (& Grandpa, he passed away before I came along) and then my mom adopted me as toddler from Vietnam . Then Oct. 16, 2006 at 5:15pm - this would be the one of the FIRST photos that I would receive of MY daughter- a snapshot into MY future daughter's eyes... If you look closely from MY orphan picture and my orphan daughter's picture, you will see the common "look" of fear, strength, survival and tenacity...However, my daughter would not be the "lonely only" child but have 2 amazing big brothers to protect her and one awesome daddy who loves her and thinks she is sooooo pretty & beautiful. Those are gifts to Maile that will transcend her lifetime...I weep at those thoughts and grateful she will have a different foundation to build her littl' soul from. Thank you God.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPbF4iTtVaBV_haViwapCBJE1HaeKYkkRX2l2rJX0939_U2eIg0V4wz9pffSJnabSkx3mL4bQfUm-rS1RUNmaixAYICgTjwWJVqev3PXtEJWFfLvHozgq32s_mG0nWq75kwlv/s1600-h/Maile-cropB&W.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPbF4iTtVaBV_haViwapCBJE1HaeKYkkRX2l2rJX0939_U2eIg0V4wz9pffSJnabSkx3mL4bQfUm-rS1RUNmaixAYICgTjwWJVqev3PXtEJWFfLvHozgq32s_mG0nWq75kwlv/s320/Maile-cropB&W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of my FAVORITE photos of Maile in recent months. LOOK at her NOW...THOSE EYES!!! WOW!!! Our littl' Thuy Trang is thriving, growing, so beautiful & strong...Her English, verbal skills and comprehension is amazing, she LOVES school, dancing, talking about her "friends" and stands so tall and confident at almost 4 years old and now 35" and 25 lbs. (already ahead of me from where I was at that age!)<br /><br /><strong><em>Maile Noel:</em></strong> we KNOW God has special plans for your life and we cannot wait to see HIS purpose & will for your life. We are honored you have shared your gift of love, hugs, kisses, joy, singing & pure innocence with us. We pray for you (& your brothers) to receive the greatest gift you could ever get on this side of heaven, the gift of SALVATION, to truly know Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. <strong>We pray Jesus will direct your heart and pathways in life as you TRUST in Him in ALL your ways... (Prov. 3:5-6)</strong> While this gift is FREE for you, the rewards are PRICELESS...Please know how very proud we are of all you, Joseph, Samuel & Maile, you are our heartbeat and the reason we live, breathe and work so hard!! We love you forever!!! xoxo your FOREVER MOMMY<br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-22321331885039453822008-09-04T22:25:00.001-05:002008-09-04T22:32:12.760-05:00Happy Birthday Noc Nguyen<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><strong>Thurs. 04 Sept. 2008<br /><br />Across the ocean-across the sea....A life born in Vietnam that would now affect me...<br />Maile's birthmother birthday is today, is she alone -is she OK? Does she know her baby girl is fine & English is what she says?<br />Noc Nguyen we thank you for giving us hope, Now with Maile with us- Our rainbow in the storms, we can cope!!!<br /></strong>I am forever humbled & changed by His amazing grace & plans for our lives...<br />(<em>For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord...Plans to give you a Hope & a Future...</em>Jer. 29:11)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YEp2gbHzckU_XWoaysQMHT-9SsbnQtBGvVP_IvtdZOaF4S1CQP6vHQU37DHnk63raGKW1UCf7z81k5SI7HwrEulDYTFhzyoN1LrXncIG27aLMHTfnjP2KIkWqarvLtptYVID/s1600-h/maile+being+fed+in+NT.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YEp2gbHzckU_XWoaysQMHT-9SsbnQtBGvVP_IvtdZOaF4S1CQP6vHQU37DHnk63raGKW1UCf7z81k5SI7HwrEulDYTFhzyoN1LrXncIG27aLMHTfnjP2KIkWqarvLtptYVID/s320/maile+being+fed+in+NT.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This picture is a freeze frame from a video of Maile being fed at lunch time in Vietnam just months before we would get to feed her!!! She appeared to be so dossle, weak and totally dependent on her care givers...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CjJ_BQs0_KpsyjSxsDCYJGfyaptjUtq62wdNX39FpuK95fWk6kND3VPFDhBv6CA5XkTXeecwwI9jp7oYB70vtS3scuRmMbv7xWe74QeUB7N5nJn4CyK8fi-tzQlUu-39QZbH/s1600-h/8-one+for+you+2-22-2007+9-11-24+AM+2-22-2007+9-11-24+AM.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CjJ_BQs0_KpsyjSxsDCYJGfyaptjUtq62wdNX39FpuK95fWk6kND3VPFDhBv6CA5XkTXeecwwI9jp7oYB70vtS3scuRmMbv7xWe74QeUB7N5nJn4CyK8fi-tzQlUu-39QZbH/s320/8-one+for+you+2-22-2007+9-11-24+AM+2-22-2007+9-11-24+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now, look at these eyes, Thuy Trang Nguyen, strong & determined to survive all that life gives her. With 2 boy playmates by her side she would be well trained and equipped to fend for herself in the coming days as God prepared her for her 2 big brothers!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsLoqZriYHOSiddeS525sDM_lxUsjdqOmeNOQFZrElr83ly7JABouLCyMwsudDQ_3KJCYHblG1jW2IEEWhZXJ3dHGC6pVdmjlNMEaVrQ-34P3TtUT-eKFlNhIJuUA2q7nIOzP/s1600-h/yet+to+come+-+instrumental.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsLoqZriYHOSiddeS525sDM_lxUsjdqOmeNOQFZrElr83ly7JABouLCyMwsudDQ_3KJCYHblG1jW2IEEWhZXJ3dHGC6pVdmjlNMEaVrQ-34P3TtUT-eKFlNhIJuUA2q7nIOzP/s320/yet+to+come+-+instrumental.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Amazed and relieved to make it home on USA soil...Miss Maile Noel snuggled close to me as we passed US Customs and ready to greet family & friends. Of course then the TANGERINE STORY comes into play minutes after this photo (we were NOT so happy!!!) you will have to read March 29, 2007 post to get the full effect of the details that would make me irate & frustrated with Don's confession...(ps - it involves fruit...hence the TANGERINE story!!) Ha ha, NOW we can laugh about it... :) LOL...</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C0D1dzAn7u0HIv2poV5PHr9XAp9DXhyihAQXtK-2yqad6Y7c-1vQbJRy4dMnHYfL2hiT7gisj8ksD4xiwlon8OJLVw9XD-BduPSaQquVYffwmDr1XJe4I5v4lKPUDKs-gyS3/s1600-h/IMG_7964.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C0D1dzAn7u0HIv2poV5PHr9XAp9DXhyihAQXtK-2yqad6Y7c-1vQbJRy4dMnHYfL2hiT7gisj8ksD4xiwlon8OJLVw9XD-BduPSaQquVYffwmDr1XJe4I5v4lKPUDKs-gyS3/s320/IMG_7964.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We are all settled in as a family of 5. Miss Maile hits the ground runnin' each AM, yelling, "Ba, I'm a awake!!!!" Princess Maile Noel Thuy Trang is the light of our lives, rainsbow in the storms & a joy in our hearts. My kids, all 3 of them, are the reason I live, move, breathe and DANCE!!!! I work tirelessly for them daily because I want to teach them hard work, dedication, commitment, etc. will allow them to pursue their dreams in live and through Christ they can do/ be ANYTHING!!!!! We serve a Mighty God, for that, I'm humbled by His mercies being NEW every AM and His Grace being sufficient for me!!!! THANK YOU GOD for the 3 pairs of eyes that call me, "Mommy!!" - THANK YOU for Encore Centre for DANCE, THANK YOU for drawing me closer to YOU in the trials in life to once again show me, YOU ARE GOD & carrying me in the Palm of YOUR Hands... I love you Lord!!! xoxo </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-74608275655930098692008-08-24T22:37:00.002-05:002008-08-24T22:47:44.595-05:00LOCK IN with our Encore DANCERS!!!<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2h2p1ZnUDeY0TkLDKXmxlensqdCw0JVpdOnkmRP2_uI-Jejoc3n_A7b7uu_nKwHEF1gvdL-bQpMzLlKNN9eI3ixmc-FteLMaGhF3-JBKKe2P-20AIxxRcwXQMkk_LpoMQk88/s1600-h/CVS-KL+&+homies-3am.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2h2p1ZnUDeY0TkLDKXmxlensqdCw0JVpdOnkmRP2_uI-Jejoc3n_A7b7uu_nKwHEF1gvdL-bQpMzLlKNN9eI3ixmc-FteLMaGhF3-JBKKe2P-20AIxxRcwXQMkk_LpoMQk88/s320/CVS-KL+%26+homies-3am.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We had so much fun FRI Aug. 15, 2008 with our <strong>Encore </strong>Company DANCERS hangin', playin', cleanin' & "runnin' around town" at 3am...YES, I said 3am. Like in "tradition" of our 2nd annual LOCK IN before our OPEN HOUSE Aug. 16, we walked, visited and shopped at CVS & Walmart!!!! <strong>I love my girls, they are PRECIOUS!!!!</strong> I KNOW more & more WHY God called me to open Encore...to love, minister, teach & be with these young lives! I'm honored and humbled...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-B_mVRFPCg-lSoVlQz6eMNSpjaCBGld05Dqhae8bciur5HzVQGv5jDm1AZO8VGxwTklMB30IuUzw4a4dlI6-Z5NbSeCvAzjLxAGSLPVANnagOLiQrEsu9jjNZCO8Bfbm78JT/s1600-h/CVS-check+us+out+II.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-B_mVRFPCg-lSoVlQz6eMNSpjaCBGld05Dqhae8bciur5HzVQGv5jDm1AZO8VGxwTklMB30IuUzw4a4dlI6-Z5NbSeCvAzjLxAGSLPVANnagOLiQrEsu9jjNZCO8Bfbm78JT/s320/CVS-check+us+out+II.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here were are showing "our guns" - <strong>deliriously TIRED</strong> and maybe even <strong>"slap happy"</strong> but I don't know who was slapping who...haha. We didn't even get KICKED out this time :). I guess because last year, I WAS the only "adult" with them and the worker at CVS wanted us to be "supervised." This time Ms. Melissa kept us in line :)...and it was still SO FUN.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmTvPLCsoqR03qjeFiUUWRw6rLEtHnC36rQy01b1IntJ-ohO6nFkK_d-cvwUILeaQ1ATCMZ0dq3pDekp8Qu7vJh4tG_yqUbmxqnPyYark0Jk9dXxvZ7l2pXqxfHzRL7mQc44N/s1600-h/CVS-drive+thru.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmTvPLCsoqR03qjeFiUUWRw6rLEtHnC36rQy01b1IntJ-ohO6nFkK_d-cvwUILeaQ1ATCMZ0dq3pDekp8Qu7vJh4tG_yqUbmxqnPyYark0Jk9dXxvZ7l2pXqxfHzRL7mQc44N/s320/CVS-drive+thru.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here we are "RUNNING" through the DRIVE THRU at CVS...The Pharmacy was still open & I'm sure the Pharmacist thought we were crazy...probably wanting to give us <strong>FREE </strong>sleeping pills...ha ha. LOL -- I did NOT post the picture that Olivia took of me trying to order "Pho" (Vietnamese Soup") from KFC... Idk why no one answered my request :). I guess because it was 3:30am and <em>they were NOT open and do NOT make Pho there...</em><strong>Wrong place, wrong time!!!<br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nf279vfAXA0V68OsCVa17EZG_wYxV-A-jeT34DI-3vEg9Sv2WmNnEvhOVYfmRHSqeKgAoOXnVZVvJrEQXYXsdqq-w7ekCJt-e-K6eies3pAAOYxIgVPAVZQ3UKXTWCz3P_ax/s1600-h/lock-in-sacked+out430am.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nf279vfAXA0V68OsCVa17EZG_wYxV-A-jeT34DI-3vEg9Sv2WmNnEvhOVYfmRHSqeKgAoOXnVZVvJrEQXYXsdqq-w7ekCJt-e-K6eies3pAAOYxIgVPAVZQ3UKXTWCz3P_ax/s320/lock-in-sacked+out430am.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, after wandering around Walmart, dodging trouble and attention from lurking Police around :) (J/K) and running toward (?) I mean AWAY from sprinklers...we sacked out in the studio... We got a whole 3 hrs. sleep from 430am-730am before I woke everyone up to kick them out to get cleaned up and return for Encore's 3rd season OPEN HOUSE!!! Wow, 2 full years under our belt and God remains steadfast in training me up in many ways at <strong>Encore </strong>& trusting and leaning on HIM...always!!! <em>(Prov. 3:5-6)</em> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><strong>To each of my Encore DANCERS,</strong> please KNOW I love you, I pray for you and I KNOW God will do great and mighty things in your lives (Jer. 29:11) - so while you DANCE with me at Encore - I will do all I can to<em> build you up in Mind, Body & Spirit...</em>that you may KNOW <strong>"YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS YOU!!!"</strong> <em>(Phil. 4:13)</em> I love you. So, here's to movin' on by <strong>HIS glory & grace...we DANCE with</strong> <em><strong>Purpose!!!!! </strong></em></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-53197706870576389612008-07-24T23:21:00.001-05:002008-11-15T02:45:33.715-06:00With HOPE....<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">"We can cry with HOPE, we can say Good-bye with HOPE...we know our Good-bye is NOT the end..." (from Steven Curtis Chapman's song lyrics "With HOPE") </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gQdH-lODnVgNxz4P1bpdwrAVAhtUYEUj_qXGEAncdvgDR1UtsLn0JmwIqoq0nI7EIo0kgCTKabHto8C2T1b7qUW5cmgjXw5MftDPizEYwyExHB-evFH5ZM-md4cBa4utOV3x/s1600-h/IMG_5023.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gQdH-lODnVgNxz4P1bpdwrAVAhtUYEUj_qXGEAncdvgDR1UtsLn0JmwIqoq0nI7EIo0kgCTKabHto8C2T1b7qUW5cmgjXw5MftDPizEYwyExHB-evFH5ZM-md4cBa4utOV3x/s320/IMG_5023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I cannot explain how/ why certain people touch our lives the way they do...but with an affinity to "older/ wiser" ladies, I immediately was drawn and loved Michelle's Grandmas when I first met them & adopted them into my heart and family's lives!!! Grandma Joycee so vibrant and energetic...Here she is holding Maile days after bringing Maile home from Vietnam last spring at Jeremy's first b-day party. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UJra4nLRFlPHqyqWDMcXuTs6Eye4seHL2nw4XYxROZi52bFdpEjlX-FnB-uOHjoDGgfh172RzM79VmTIwiGuSUcxnXbo3FaWDow83fPv5Ab_OiWar2A9SG3E85N6pWsxtLr7/s1600-h/Carlsons+with+Grma+Cain-July+4-2007.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UJra4nLRFlPHqyqWDMcXuTs6Eye4seHL2nw4XYxROZi52bFdpEjlX-FnB-uOHjoDGgfh172RzM79VmTIwiGuSUcxnXbo3FaWDow83fPv5Ab_OiWar2A9SG3E85N6pWsxtLr7/s320/Carlsons+with+Grma+Cain-July+4-2007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Last 4th of July 2007 - we hung out with "Grandma Sugar Cain" while Michelle & her family went to Colorado. Poor Grandma Cain was diagnosed and battled colon cancer since Jeremy's birth, back in March 2006!!! She was a precious lady, strong in her Faith, wise with many years of life experiences...I enjoyed so many little conversations on the couch with her. We would watch her soap & Crossword Game on TV...I didn't care, really...I just wanted to sit by her and be with her!!!</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQHc-H03Phd_ACM5z0up_EhCY_wXe_3xKI1FdZ8hkjmA3UBAt9aXcTrZWo4fWZzI2mVg1kbVooGLjjIGw8kGSoXYaYzuflQ3Y6NPRxAvZbBm6eR52Wr6w9vSiWz8CppqIBf2m/s1600-h/Grma+Sugar+Cain+&+the+girls-Nov+07.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQHc-H03Phd_ACM5z0up_EhCY_wXe_3xKI1FdZ8hkjmA3UBAt9aXcTrZWo4fWZzI2mVg1kbVooGLjjIGw8kGSoXYaYzuflQ3Y6NPRxAvZbBm6eR52Wr6w9vSiWz8CppqIBf2m/s320/Grma+Sugar+Cain+%26+the+girls-Nov+07.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Here is Michelle (to the left of Maile & Me) with her mom (L) and Grandma "Sugar Cain" as I nicknamed her...this picture was from last Thanksgiving! Little would we realize in DEC 2007 how the New Year would bring such loss and grief ahead. I guess it's sometimes better NOT to see the crystal ball and know like how God knows!?? Living through the last 6+ mos. have been hard enough, day by day...to see loved ones struggle, fight and try to hang on...losing the grip of life is hardest on the ones who love them so much. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdU_WXnhV1ckHqQJMPJIZ0a5zOJXiZHy38Kw8qYO5YTf_HIzUmNsQqZsUqKVxW3EBkGDvP7fctP6T-hCWDmEVeUD-gM2HfG3jqGnhNNWkJoSg6geVJfFctZQhEsPcuK65AjNo/s1600-h/Kim-Lan+w-Grma+Joycee+&+Grma+Sugar+Cain.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdU_WXnhV1ckHqQJMPJIZ0a5zOJXiZHy38Kw8qYO5YTf_HIzUmNsQqZsUqKVxW3EBkGDvP7fctP6T-hCWDmEVeUD-gM2HfG3jqGnhNNWkJoSg6geVJfFctZQhEsPcuK65AjNo/s320/Kim-Lan+w-Grma+Joycee+%26+Grma+Sugar+Cain.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Ugh, this photo was taken this past March 2008, just months before losing these precious little ladies. A light went out on Sat. May 31st with losing Grandma Joycee (on L. in pix). Her heart was so strong and yet her body so weak from the ravenous pancreatic cancer that she lingered on and fought as long as she could. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Then Grandma Sugar Cain's light (on Rt. in pix) went out this past Friday AM on July 18th, 2008. It also happens to be the ANNIVERSARY day of Don's dad (my "Poppy") dying!!! Such grief, sadness and loss...oh shoot me now! I can see and feel the heaviness in the hearts and spirits of Michelle and her family...it's present in mine too. I EMPATHIZE with the pain of such loss of someone so close and living with them for years. I cannot bare to see the couch EMPTY at Mama Karen's house...ugh. THIS side of heaven stinks - esp. when we are the ones left behind...until we see them again someday in Heaven!</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Lord, please help us to make sense of it all soon...give strength and comfort quickly. I pray for a PEACE beyond all understanding... </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">"The Lord is my refuge & my strength..." Psalm 46:1<br /></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-19258893974534551252008-07-01T22:37:00.003-05:002008-11-15T02:45:35.298-06:00Cave Springs, GA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNVbKgTh-9k1gpKXslpyszV9Imv30dU1T0_qzxdYm5ZZlSqp7pvVWMsSw5XMHxd4hK9ezlPAF45YadwasE6i5bdpw5LE8BwzloLLDt-AvEJ146ftMl5v1NeJfWN4Q5eNAmo-Q/s1600-h/IMG_8101.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNVbKgTh-9k1gpKXslpyszV9Imv30dU1T0_qzxdYm5ZZlSqp7pvVWMsSw5XMHxd4hK9ezlPAF45YadwasE6i5bdpw5LE8BwzloLLDt-AvEJ146ftMl5v1NeJfWN4Q5eNAmo-Q/s320/IMG_8101.JPG" border="0" /></a>Now we KNOW the charm & reason for the namesake of "CAVE SPRINGS" Georgia!!! We went to walk through a real cave in downtown Cave Springs (population of 900!!!) and drink straight from FRESH Spring water...Wow, what a magical day, I wish time could have stood still! The breeze was warm and the waters were fresh and crisp. The kids LOVED ducking, kneeling and squeeling in the cave (which was FREEZIN' inside).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwVHXcY0E3Ny3ZQa4-xvt5JGqfJxs-MxehP0jj6CeeJy55j3p5-KiIN8td2A5gSHBeTMPb6j4K0LIUfTcE8ambGBtRTqSXGHRtqckHgFV3sd98XBJmfv0DOirVOkNU9Hj4hFA/s1600-h/IMG_8103.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwVHXcY0E3Ny3ZQa4-xvt5JGqfJxs-MxehP0jj6CeeJy55j3p5-KiIN8td2A5gSHBeTMPb6j4K0LIUfTcE8ambGBtRTqSXGHRtqckHgFV3sd98XBJmfv0DOirVOkNU9Hj4hFA/s320/IMG_8103.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The sweet older man (on the left of the 1st pic. - let us in the cave and gave us dixie cups to drink from the stream!) It was a precious moment to see all of us drinking from the "stream of life" - so pure, so fun, so simple... We were ALL kids & couldn't get enough of it...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMoAekf2_2-dn12xoxhyHLOy8nn5r-6bjj6fA9BaijYxPXWkf7gQycuMQX_cxQN3F7JkOcsp_mfov4n-B9CQPLjlCLpl06QGF148xfeeo1TawVSdCmSuhdhYe3WAU9BOIdRwd/s1600-h/Carlsons+in+Cave+Springs-GA.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMoAekf2_2-dn12xoxhyHLOy8nn5r-6bjj6fA9BaijYxPXWkf7gQycuMQX_cxQN3F7JkOcsp_mfov4n-B9CQPLjlCLpl06QGF148xfeeo1TawVSdCmSuhdhYe3WAU9BOIdRwd/s320/Carlsons+in+Cave+Springs-GA.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's the Crazy Carlson Krew all together in the cave - snuggled together and enjoying the moments of exploring, hiking, climbing and discovering this hidden treasure in Cave Springs. There was ONE steep hill of steps and we ventured up most the way, only Aunt Heather was brave enough to get to the top called, "The Devil's Chair" - yikes...NOT sure WHY, but I did't want to find out either. I again in FLIP FLOPS, did not want to return to my Vietnam days of hiking slippery steps and end of tumbling down. I had a good track record before and wanted to keep it that way! :)<br /><br />Something people may not know about me, I do NOT like getting WET - I don't mind swimming for the most part if I can DRY off a<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8rU_VOr1boEthlTYwpHY1cGGlkVotW2mRbokypwon23YKG-jFEIQv_aI1Xp1_cc8COstwLo197EPe46t5nGpB5jgTn4gTqU0FH_pknVpq6qba7E8LcvxfPBQDSmFlKha2Zq4/s1600-h/IMG_8127.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8rU_VOr1boEthlTYwpHY1cGGlkVotW2mRbokypwon23YKG-jFEIQv_aI1Xp1_cc8COstwLo197EPe46t5nGpB5jgTn4gTqU0FH_pknVpq6qba7E8LcvxfPBQDSmFlKha2Zq4/s320/IMG_8127.JPG" border="0" /></a>nd be warm again. But feeling WET & COLD - ugh...they do NOT mix with me!! Right outside the cave, the spring waters filters out to a pond where the kids could feed the turtles, fish & ducks...A few feet over is a river that the rest of the crew & Heather & Rocco (but NOT ME) took full opportunity to do...yay for them! :) It was a splice of time to behold & soak up, sun rays beaming down with warm breeze twirling around and if I would have had a COUNTRY TIME LEMONADE drink, it would have been the PERFECT summer day!!!<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-86122409015109830982008-06-22T22:12:00.017-05:002008-11-15T02:45:38.253-06:00Georgia and It's Southern Belles!!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214915975561768178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5BP_hXrZHGDJcP6CTlRxviQbajk26Vp0cDrzdqcG3I2r2JtvFT9Z_3QtiCQjF2MQUECo46HC-cjd7mQnfj6RUZDsCBioIsBipobtQCbhV9VOqq-ARWjdv4pf8ygteLZTs_gT/s320/June+22+Carlson+family_9_24.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify">Well, we made it here to see our dear friends, the Willis family (Jason & Heather adopted Rocco), whom we met, traveled, lived, laughed & cried with for almost 3 weeks in VN last March 2007 when adopting our babies from Ninh Thuan, Vietnam! Both Rocco & Maile lived & played together everyday at the same orphanage and just found out even slept side by side without realizing their fate would bond them forever. We traveled STAND BY on SWA on Fri. June 20, which I don't know I would do again with 3 KIDS & husband. Getting ALL 5 of us on one plane to our final destination of Birmingham, AL (where the Willis family would then pick us up to take us to GA) would prove to be a very long day...ALMOST as exhausting as traveling home to USA with Maile! After settling in, Rocco warmed up very quickly to our kids and they have been playmates since. ABOVE Pix: We are in turquoise shirts, reunited with our Ninh Thuan Buddies, like time had stood still and picking up where we left off...from last meeting, March 29, 2007 (Rocco's 1st B-day & saying good byes in the Airport.)</div><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214914556028696770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjibg820abkZoTc9gddmZFF9SJETNKLbY5-341hg_1oGYsS2VdMTomuJEb8WDUUW4qPnlgKSBQKF6qR70ekQGIrGrG8elF8YRh6Ruy5acGICdcWTAUnM2Tr_zsHYl2kVeRn2o2/s320/June+21+Carlson+family_9_8.JPG" border="0" /> Our first full day with the Willis' will be a hard day to beat - we got to hang with them on the WILLIS FARM, just 5 mins. away from their country home and with over 130 acres of raw land, 2 ponds, barns, cows, bulls, turkeys, deer, etc...there is A LOT of work to be done!!! The Carlson crew got to DRIVE the Tractor (seen in the ABOVE Pic.) and if YOU thought I was a crazy driver in FRISCO with my Suburban, you should see my drive this tractor. I tried to spear the 1200 lbs. bale of hay you see above and lifted the handle too soon. YIKES...needless to say, the hay tipped over on it's side and we rammed into it like a brick wall. Other than a bruised ego and a golf cart of Don, Heather & my kids watching (& laughing) - we were ALL okay (physically) :). Working on the farm (well as least when the Carlsons come to visit) - it becomes a day of VERY INEXPENSIVE Entertainment...the Willis' enjoyed educating us (*ME*) on how the "shredded wheat" looking hay after a VERY labor intensive project turns into "circles" - called bales of hay!!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214913388792129458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AP9W4FSiemORuN8gyIzWfNE_fac3YDBbPBowr2UGPt8o3LfgcOcNaDVczAPlakMuEz2WcFkxCPz5sLi2pE5jBUDN_H1ktP_-hXrpVazUnBNgbCFZJvljQI0Bb8zu4Hnxq9Qq/s320/June+21+Carlson+family_9_11.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Now, if that was NOT enough, getting behind the wheel when HEATHER IS DRIVING is far more HAZARD to my health (both mental and physical) than I would ever imagine. She decided to take us on these ZEALOUS golf cart tours up and down hills, dirt paths, forest, etc...to show us the land. Poor Joseph, my conservative, sweet son would YELL & SCREAM, "Slow doowwwnnnn, Don't forget Maile's in the cart!!!!" It was halariously precious!!! But the FUNNIEST site Heather and I will NOT ever forget was when Heather asked Samuel, Maile, Joseph & I if we wanted to feed the bull & cows??? Well, not even 30 secs. later, we look back to watch JOSEPH's "Forest Gump" RUN (about 10 blocks) back to where Don, Rocco, Jason & his parents were!!! Joseph was running so fast, there was a trail dust clouding up behind him as he ran, bless his heart!!! We was so terrified.....NOW, I know rightfully so, HOW SMART Joseph was - getting out while he could!!! </div><div align="justify"><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214910996158193394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXAXyi29XlS56FwsXtDs56CUznUb7vo6CHhf2x4GAvIZXSLQNC-UR4T9wZd3GR712X89wxMBrlNsSXCiyoxfYLMDeXWcrs9Y3BgVCSXY1z-QgjGXsPmtMkqnbd8JLINseqEot/s320/June+21+Carlson+family_9_18.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215231642728317874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlseH4PAk8arfVVPI84BXnJw_dwQIjoePBzSn3B8HxxUpOc2RrXys192EXLjnAa-A0JqAv1fX0i2chawsXylrh-QZGBBeSVXKoFPc4nOEysIruriqxrYhbGjWG8k55b8jG-Nt/s320/IMG_8043.JPG" border="0" /></div>Heather gathers the feed & hay & puts it on the back of the golf cart & teases them with a taste to get them to "follow her to another location!!" (here's a "FAMILY PORTRAIT" as Heather calls it - with the WHITE BULL in the back - TOP photo) Well, little would we realize HOW FAST Cows can CHASE after their food. This "safari" ride turned VERY SCARY for a few LONG seconds as I felt like we were in the movies on a GREAT ESCAPE mission. Maile was screaming, I was trying NOT to look back, but then had to get a pic. of the "MAD COWS" coming after us...it was surreal, scary and almost life threatening had they gotten any closer & flipped our golf cart with us in it like a pancake-(see LOWER photo)!!! YIKES...NOW we can laugh about it, but that was definitely a terrifying moment for Samuel, Maile & I...and maybe even my dear friend and crazy woman driver, Heather :). Haha...That is definitely one for the books to tell the grandkids someday! All's well that ends well....whew....close call, but we are A--OK! :)<br /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214911990771749458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C_wH7sHRUBvod9zQ-3sAHwkH0itRZAjN9fyrarFDa26cif4rxSO-CBpqVYOd4lruettDIVFcgXAgawMe-japJdPZLJwjAoQvd4HWfgafDxjMb9YDQ6l5gTiC4L6ELujWWqeQ/s320/June+21+Carlson+family_9_59.JPG" border="0" /> SAT PM - June 21st - we got the privilege of meeting Sandra & Glenn, neighbors across the country road of the Willis' to have our kids ride on their sweet horse, Liberty. Both Rocco & Maile's first time and they were champs, so brave & strong!!! Joseph, Samuel, Maile & Rocco loved it and here's a precious pic. (ABOVE) of Rocco & Maile saddling up as s duo on the horse...a whole 45# combined - if that (Rocco - age 2 yrs. old & abt. 31.5" tall and 20.5# and Maile - age 3.5 yrs. old & 33.5"tall and 24.5#) They are SO SWEET with each other, we wonder if THEY sense or remember any of their EARLY days together in Ninh Thuan, they were both there together for about 8-9 mos., day in and day out...hmmmm....<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214915342184548610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKJ1znFwsNPTuyzFYlxk28bofljMLOAf6eK6MaenKjXxte0c2lojO6opGkLGjv4dSl5z4CMKc2SojE5e_hUxSreZx0awaSJ1GMDCWv29RO-RzOr-EnUiT1ojBIGk8pv-7TI7y/s320/June+21+Carlson+family_9_77.JPG" border="0" /> Here's the VIETNAMESE clan from around the world, Joseph & Samuel met Rocco for the first time a couple days ago and love on him & play with him like a little brother!!! All united for the visit and we are blessed and amazed on how well they get along and love on each other... We have thoroughly enjoyed our time so far with the Willis family, hearing JASON preach as Senior Pastor @ his church, Lakeview Baptist Church this AM was an honor & highlight as well. We will also participate in the LBC - VBS program this week while we are here and already made a round of Putt Putt golf together...We are humbled and BLESSED by the friendship, kindness and generosity from sharing time, the Willis' house & church family & their lives with us...Wow!!!! THANK YOU God for them, what a gift not only for us...but the legacy of our sweet Ninh Thuan babies!!!! We see the handiwork of God everyday but especially through the eyes of our adopted children who teach us about Love, Loss, Life and yet...Trusting again.... (Jer. 29:11) </div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-56066496947795961382008-06-17T03:20:00.004-05:002008-11-15T02:45:39.045-06:002nd Season comes to a close...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR1f3h4o0h8NQLts2uH8OCNttyiCRyJTkP_u2fU4gvzLQLPuegn5a3eV-ogyBCPpGiK3Pw5VjnmiXuSsVgl0SCWzw47IILVsOG-wodzncaKShO5EI8gqNGplkwd1rRXULBUf7/s1600-h/IMG_7950.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR1f3h4o0h8NQLts2uH8OCNttyiCRyJTkP_u2fU4gvzLQLPuegn5a3eV-ogyBCPpGiK3Pw5VjnmiXuSsVgl0SCWzw47IILVsOG-wodzncaKShO5EI8gqNGplkwd1rRXULBUf7/s320/IMG_7950.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wow, hard to believe how time flies and the last entry was so long ago...I have been sooooo crazy, busy, and crazy busy :) with my DANCE studio's year-end Student Concert. We have boldly celebrated the ministry of DANCE in a Frisco ISD H.S. and it was ALL God to put it all together... There were little glitches in each of our 3 shows (!!) we hosted on SAT June 14th, but all in all, <strong>God ROCKED the House!</strong><br /><br />Here's a few of our Co. dancers at our last audition that will be joining us next Season. I cannot wait to see God work through us for HIS glory!!! I firmly believe in more and more in my life that GOD does have a plan for us, if we are OBEDIENT to the Calling..."<strong><em>For I KNOW the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..." </em>Jer. 29:11<br /></strong><br />This season's theme was "Dancin' with JOY" and I hope and pray our DANCERS felt the JOY we have for them as well as God as we teach them about Christ & dance steps along the way too! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjklW04nGHksMIAs9vNs3GAnUxpN7pTnq6ipkKVnQnidgwJpT9P22oGK2TqkQEIB5a58zAPRq7KIoGQNvicaTE3-oOTMyFfkqyAcdFCN47FT1SnBm3zWfTGlMecQOdUhhgOky/s1600-h/fill+us+with+the+light.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjklW04nGHksMIAs9vNs3GAnUxpN7pTnq6ipkKVnQnidgwJpT9P22oGK2TqkQEIB5a58zAPRq7KIoGQNvicaTE3-oOTMyFfkqyAcdFCN47FT1SnBm3zWfTGlMecQOdUhhgOky/s320/fill+us+with+the+light.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I had to publically apologize at each concert that my fear is to forget a DANCER'S name in the program. While I proofed the 24 page program as well as my husband and Ms. Michelle, NO ONE picked up the absence of MY SONS name in the program!!! Joseph looked at the final proof and in 10 secs. said, "Mommy, how come our names are NOT in the program?" I said, "WHAT???" Ugh... Well, I guess I lost the Mother of the Year for that one...I'm SO SORRY Joseph & Samuel...please forgive me. I am so inadequate and underserving to be your Mommy and yet God humbles me and blesses me DAILY with your presence in my life!!! THANK YOU for being the incredibly precious, young men whom love their Mommy and learning to serve & follow our Mighty God. I LOVE YOU FOREVER....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFvibDoqbHHJMm1dNElVcxohAk9xBVfiFagRf4hzo4lP6pgxuaRc9HmRb-bFKRxUFALdn1dp7kZVMOgpKyrC7iAuVSsgyF6AlQnbMahRGp1OfhPm1bMtKfhvZFiUVjK3fTmg-/s1600-h/business+card_encore+copy.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFvibDoqbHHJMm1dNElVcxohAk9xBVfiFagRf4hzo4lP6pgxuaRc9HmRb-bFKRxUFALdn1dp7kZVMOgpKyrC7iAuVSsgyF6AlQnbMahRGp1OfhPm1bMtKfhvZFiUVjK3fTmg-/s320/business+card_encore+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a> Desiree Chapman with Just One Year (JOY) Photography took these sweet pictures of my crew & our "adopted" littl' brother, Matthew (Michelle's son) whom tapped to SPIDERMAN & Miss Maile made her debut in BALLET with "Me & My Teddy Bear" and TAP "Thank Heaven for Littl' Girls" dance! I was soooo proud of her for NOT crying and freaking out on me as she has in the past. She seemed to soak up the lights, stage and opportunity to wear GLITTER....is she HAND PICKED for us or what!??? Again, I'm humbled and blessed by her life in ours... <em><strong>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart...in ALL your ways acknowledge Him & He will direct your paths..."</strong></em> <strong>Prov. 3:5-6</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1FtIw4FnA36QKuBeQQvdSEaKoqieJE3K15JfYmPwElK-G63hMD5-AZ-TNE8e1hJBJBf4vHLxpY4kKgymQ4urTtfBS3tQVyerNEcQ8q1TokRjr949LNkc5zT7fIJ39Sxdb8Xk/s1600-h/light+of+day+-+4+sec+hold.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1FtIw4FnA36QKuBeQQvdSEaKoqieJE3K15JfYmPwElK-G63hMD5-AZ-TNE8e1hJBJBf4vHLxpY4kKgymQ4urTtfBS3tQVyerNEcQ8q1TokRjr949LNkc5zT7fIJ39Sxdb8Xk/s320/light+of+day+-+4+sec+hold.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />During the last picture weekend at Encore Centre for DANCE, I tried to get a few action shots... The last time I had a picture of doing a side leap like this was jumping on a bed in a N.Y. Hotel when I WAS a Co. DANCER. Ha ha...that was many moons ago, I'm surprised I could walk after this photo shoot.<br /><br />Here's to another season that awaits us in the coming weeks. However, I am enjoying a little reprieve and I am JOYfully looking forward to a family vacation to see OUR BUDDY ROCCO (& his parents) in GA that was Maile's littl' orphanage friend in VIETNAM over a year ago! I wonder if they will recognize each other??? We CANNOT wait to see their family as we share the BOND of getting our babies from Vietnam and celebrating ROCCO'S FIRST b-day when heading HOME with his FOREVER Family, last March 29, 2007!!!<br /><br />We will see you soon Buddy! Love & Miss you... xo Kim-Lan & crew <br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-43695161395872095142008-03-14T02:32:00.000-05:002008-11-15T02:45:40.175-06:00FOREVER OURS day Today!!! 14 March 2007<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="color:#993399;">14 March 2008 </span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="color:#993399;">TODAY we celebrate our ONE YEAR anniversary of getting <strong>Maile Noel Thuy Trang Carlson</strong> --FOREVER in VIETNAM at this time. I so vividly remember the memories, anticipation and emotions racing through my body, heart and mind as we explored our new daughter and her/my homeland!!! WOW, what a difference ONE year makes. She has come out of her shell, so strong, silly, funny, independent and she can be SASSY too!!!! She instinctively knows how to whine, have drama fits and tantrums (in public) and get her Daddy & big brothers wrapped around her finger!!!! Maile amazes us on her English, the way she puts things back in place & in order and doesn't want to be left behind...really wants to be involved :) (she is LIKE her Mommy!!) Whenever I am talking to the boys' about getting something or going somewhere, Maile pipes in, "Maile too!!!!" or "NO Mommy Bye-bye!" It's so cute and precious how much SHE REALLY does understand!!!!</span> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="justify"><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Thank you for your prayers, we still need them. Both Don & I are working FULL time (probably MORE than that!) and trying to find balance, peace and harmony in such a crazy, busy, fast-paced world. WE LOVED VIETNAM, the spirit of the people, their lifestyle...how SIMPLE and relaxed it was...time was no object and families sat around on the streets (literally) eating Pho (soup) & chatting in 100 degree with what felt like 110% humidity! It was surreal and humbling to see how RAW the Vietnamese people were, SO HAPPY with SO little!!!! God is working on me in many ways through this adoption, "training ME up in the way I should go...so when I'm old I won't depart from it!!?" I hope!!! I see my orphan eyes in hers often, the reflection is piercingly similar! I pray God equips me to endure and be prepared for the issues that will ultimately arrive from her adoption story as her heart questions & her history unfolds.</span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxMfWQ0lnkXUDmhcoVkeK2Mp4SxCgjsEdS5ODIJkM0iViu64IZT_d23R9TpPANXnbGeoJeur8FlYXqfRYY8pKfK4eGbvqi3zOLI6-S9S1aPZY7XnCxXgaYb42LVE8sFVeST_1/s1600-h/IMG_3675.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxMfWQ0lnkXUDmhcoVkeK2Mp4SxCgjsEdS5ODIJkM0iViu64IZT_d23R9TpPANXnbGeoJeur8FlYXqfRYY8pKfK4eGbvqi3zOLI6-S9S1aPZY7XnCxXgaYb42LVE8sFVeST_1/s320/IMG_3675.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><span style="color:#000099;">With so much anticipation of THIS Day, "Giving and Receiving" our children from the VIETNAMESE courts to our families forever - it would ALL become official in "their" eyes!!! :) Whew...Heather and I holding the CALENDAR date of the 14th in our hands after meeting with the Directors of the Ninh Thuan orphanage right before the ceremony!</span><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyRDLmAylaNuEMKgfp9hodOJ8SeTanGj_r1mIaIz9bXEFgruun8CIXsyR8TcymU6ISbdA_x5yUVDP8zbC9hPtQ7yTPH-NCNNs4QZC3UiL5kJ1s-hYKcqx2tutsQnMLV81YFX-/s1600-h/37-what+will+be+3-13-2007+8-43-39+AM+3-13-2007+8-43-39+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyRDLmAylaNuEMKgfp9hodOJ8SeTanGj_r1mIaIz9bXEFgruun8CIXsyR8TcymU6ISbdA_x5yUVDP8zbC9hPtQ7yTPH-NCNNs4QZC3UiL5kJ1s-hYKcqx2tutsQnMLV81YFX-/s320/37-what+will+be+3-13-2007+8-43-39+AM+3-13-2007+8-43-39+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><span style="color:#000099;">Maile was so sleepy while waiting for the ceremony to begin...she ended sleeping THROUGH the WHOLE ceremony! At least we KNOW it happened and it is all official - and on record & in hard copy too :). I was amazed and honored she felt comfortable enough in my arms to trust herself to go to sleep...wow, this is ONLY on DAY 2 of meeting her & holding her for just a few hours!</span><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhKaQ786TynUEecA8YihRK8LKpud6xcTYsvCUxDBwSd_OV7mXTK2G3_OF2MMHzdz9Nmw5HifXWrGKvOVVhxMZxHZU-WhOK76tswkftOVzx1_HdmGJZ_beSm5ZCWeP5kURAKj2/s1600-h/IMG_3824.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhKaQ786TynUEecA8YihRK8LKpud6xcTYsvCUxDBwSd_OV7mXTK2G3_OF2MMHzdz9Nmw5HifXWrGKvOVVhxMZxHZU-WhOK76tswkftOVzx1_HdmGJZ_beSm5ZCWeP5kURAKj2/s320/IMG_3824.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">After our G&R ceremony, we had our first "play date" of hanging out at the Pacific Ocean Beach and by our hotel pool side. You can see an awake Maile guarded and reserved to the "new life" that awaits her, wondering "WHAT IS GOING ON?" She did NOT speak or smile for DAYS. I will be posting more of her progress in the coming days as you see her BLOOM and open up lie a rose!!!</span><br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xdmGDmKXSkwO8ttw_hNoFhd9_zMV5k6d3zAIn7aUL3pHz0TCtEQE7I_yuu278I4mlNhaFSaGwb08qP74x074fOqwiW01F8kjoJYwQBbeVl5pmmsuhsV6-08l8Rw6ASK8I4Gk/s1600-h/IMG_3863.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xdmGDmKXSkwO8ttw_hNoFhd9_zMV5k6d3zAIn7aUL3pHz0TCtEQE7I_yuu278I4mlNhaFSaGwb08qP74x074fOqwiW01F8kjoJYwQBbeVl5pmmsuhsV6-08l8Rw6ASK8I4Gk/s320/IMG_3863.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">The evening of 14 March 2007, the VIETNAMESE workers/ directors from Ninh Thuan Orphanage threw us a big G&R ceremony party in style with 4-5 course meal and generously loving on us and congratulating us on taking their Ninh Thuan babies home forever!!! It was such a joyous celebration, it was bittersweet to let them hold Maile for their last time as my daughter remained confused on the whole situation. Overall, the evening was so enjoyable and humbled by the VN people's spirit of generosity, kindness, love & acceptance of us!!!</span></p><p></p><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23246355.post-88501200716032778672008-03-13T08:27:00.001-05:002008-11-15T02:45:41.475-06:00ONE YEAR ago...MY orphan eyes meet HER orphan eyes!<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Filled with so many memories this week of our journey to VIETNAM to bring home our daughter!!! It has been ONE YEAR already of that chapter in our lives, the culminating ending of a two year process in adoption pregnancy!!! After seeing her referral photo every day for FIVE MONTHS, we were finally going to be "delivered" our baby girl, Nguyen thi Thuy Trang at 27 mos., 30.5" tall and 20.5 lbs.!!!! We have such joy and thankfulness, I vividly remember the anticipation of meeting her for the FIRST time after arriving from our 23 hours flight from DFW to Saigon, VN and not wanting to "tour the city" the day before our drive to Ninh Thuan. I remember Heather (the other mom going to my orphanage to get her almost one yr. first born, son!!!) and desperately trying to get our agency to send us to Ninh Thuan a DAY sooner to see our babies, but the itinerary was set for us to "shop and rest" the day before our long bus ride to Ninh Thuan. FINALLY, 6am on 13th of March 2007 - we were leaving Saigon to take our LONG bumpy, can't get there fast enough bus ride to Ninh Thuan, Vietnam!!! The shores of the South China Seas (Pacific Ocean) would soon tell us we were near by!!! I remember getting to the hotel checking in, scurrying quickly to change, freshen up and "look nice" to meet my daughter for the first time. She would never notice, care or realize if I had my hair messy, smelled or looked ratty..."HELLO!!! She has NOTHING, lives in an orphanage after her mother dropped her off the DAY BEFORE she turned 18 mos. old" What was I thinking. As we embarked the parking lot, we saw the children gathered at the top of the stairs looking to see what "foreigners" had arrived. I saw, Maile (My-lee) Noel Thuy Trang Carlson for the first time. The caregivers soon whisked her away to change her once they knew we had arrived. Tears were streaming down my face, heart was racing, the MOMENT was FINALLY here as we rushed up the stairs of the Ninh Thuan Orphanage. It felt like the "Chariots of Fire" moment running in SLOW motion to get to the finish line.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwYgH1SIASLRMaGaEv8UEzJw4f5_tZFYCETKePqKba-zNHzZ3C8MczxS3kCCEBXGHsKk6o61kDRe1BZPcHxjDMghHMLeg8dt_OtXVngBpnc5dXnUXuBjSP-q04KZLVQTvil0X/s1600-h/31-counting+down+3-12-2007+2-07-05+PM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwYgH1SIASLRMaGaEv8UEzJw4f5_tZFYCETKePqKba-zNHzZ3C8MczxS3kCCEBXGHsKk6o61kDRe1BZPcHxjDMghHMLeg8dt_OtXVngBpnc5dXnUXuBjSP-q04KZLVQTvil0X/s320/31-counting+down+3-12-2007+2-07-05+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>As we arrived at the top of the balcony of the orphanage, not even a minute later before I could get my camera out, Maile was dodging at me...THIS is the photo I got of her right before arriving into my arms!!! Such wonder, bewilderment, shock on her little face in her sweet, white littl' dress and no shoes on!!!! Oh my goodness, my daughter and I would now meet! I wondered, "Does she KNOW about me? does she KNOW I'm going to be her FOREVER Mommy?" "Will she like us?" So many questions racing through my mind that would only answer as time marched forward...<br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_V4NYdDa_NSvJwm_djeCBY0tF6pWHlFOCXbkMm1UFlixZa3CUwXb3cJAR9gr1yTZpuyfcDvXyh0Ivw7CEXAF5KCZBiAWlT73igxS6j1Ff8lfRu-8R9nf4P_saHh3j05o-bmv/s1600-h/33-i+love+you+3-12-2007+3-24-46+PM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_V4NYdDa_NSvJwm_djeCBY0tF6pWHlFOCXbkMm1UFlixZa3CUwXb3cJAR9gr1yTZpuyfcDvXyh0Ivw7CEXAF5KCZBiAWlT73igxS6j1Ff8lfRu-8R9nf4P_saHh3j05o-bmv/s320/33-i+love+you+3-12-2007+3-24-46+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Maile (we called her "Thuy Trang" in VIETNAM so she would know we knew her name & have kept it legally now as well) - but she NEVER cried when I held her, she took everything in with those BIG dark brown eyes in which I could SEE my reflection in. Wow, it was an undescribeable moment in time to just want to hold her and tell her, "It's going to be OKAY now!!!" I practiced very basic Vietnamese phrases, "Mommy loves you," "Pretty girl" and tried to keep telling her that in my AMERICAN (Texas) accent! Yikes.<br /></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5T-zOb7rG_abd-1D9SurV64nWNU15UmKVLMiWopigpwg2v2PElHoZn0I5Las7E7RKA5_Vzy18RPPUiRirMnv4j4ZPiNZ6ClQR4kVyoWdINs6fNsEKZenfC3d4aIJzPwAiVHj/s1600-h/34+-like+the+rain+that+falls+3-12-2007+2-15-50+PM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5T-zOb7rG_abd-1D9SurV64nWNU15UmKVLMiWopigpwg2v2PElHoZn0I5Las7E7RKA5_Vzy18RPPUiRirMnv4j4ZPiNZ6ClQR4kVyoWdINs6fNsEKZenfC3d4aIJzPwAiVHj/s320/34+-like+the+rain+that+falls+3-12-2007+2-15-50+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>When "Ba" (daddy) tried to hold her for the first time, she CRIED...the FIRST time I would see her cry...oh that face!!!! Her littl' eyes disappeared and her mouth gapping open with full set of teeth!!! She was so distressed with this WHITE MONSTER holding her after I had just had her trying to reassure her "it's all good." I was even more stunned that she CALMED down and never cried when I held her that first day. Surely the workers MUST have said something about getting a "new Mommy" or something, PLUS me BEING and LOOKING Vietnamese was my trump card.... I really think that was invaluable in helping Maile relate to me :)!!!!<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcj9Vu6N7IXu8nukFs9bsZBdMVP5sWMgsUgdQyKZKMveCQhKIoXvTf_ezsaR-F8dpgnHbGQDllnqreSsm1MzYj2mMc9wYi4gKXAEqMNFN4rNOAz2ZmJHMzljw87vqUfoHhAry/s1600-h/1st+hug-Maileon+Mar13-07+3-12-2007+2-48-41+PM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcj9Vu6N7IXu8nukFs9bsZBdMVP5sWMgsUgdQyKZKMveCQhKIoXvTf_ezsaR-F8dpgnHbGQDllnqreSsm1MzYj2mMc9wYi4gKXAEqMNFN4rNOAz2ZmJHMzljw87vqUfoHhAry/s320/1st+hug-Maileon+Mar13-07+3-12-2007+2-48-41+PM.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>THIS IS one of my MOST FAVORITE photos of just holding her, thanking God for her, wanting the warm, brisk breeze to dance through our hairs and NEVER let go...I did NOT want THIS moment to end!!!! I was in total disbelief that my DAUGHTER was now and forever going to be mine...well, by the next day, 14th of MARCH 2007 - it would all be official!!! Wow, THANK YOU God for being so Mighty, all-knowing, loving and powerful to bring this little life into ours. "Trust in the Lord, with ALL your heart, lean NOT on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge HIM and He will make your paths straight!" - Prov. 3:5-6<br />Forever changed, forever touched, forever grateful.... <div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ms_Saigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262038637237447578noreply@blogger.com0