I know it has been a long time since I have posted. A lot of things have happened since we got word that our dossier was received in Vietnam, which has prevented me from finding time to write until now. So, let me go back to the last post and explain. As many of you are aware, at the end of April we got word that USCIS was starting DNA testing on all relinquished children. Then, shortly after that, we received word that adoptions from Vietnam would be ceasing as of September 1, 2008. Any family that did not have a referral by then would have their dossier returned to the agency. I figured we would be okay but was told that our likelihood of getting a referral before then was slim.

Then, on my wedding anniversary date, we found that we had water in our basement. Even though we knew we were in what would be considered a flood plain, others who have built out here told us they have never had any flooding because they build 4 feet in the ground and 4 feet above. So, that's what we did! But with all the snow this winter and rain this summer, the water table was so high that the water seeped in. Four of our neighbors also have the same problem. At present, we are still waiting for the water to go down in our basement. It was almost dry Memorial Day weekend and then Sunday night we had 3-4" in a short amount of time and we were back to where we started. At least our basement wasn't finished. My brother-in-law who is an engineer had an idea of how to clear up this problem so that it doesn't happen again. I can only hope that it works and isn't too expensive.

In the midst of all this drama, we had the anniversary of my husband's death, the ending of the school year with some drama at the middle school, and the start of Driver's Ed. for Rachel and the Summer Reading program for me. But praise God it is finally summer and I can spend time trying to solve some of the many problems that have arisen here lately.

Next week Mari-Liis will be leaving us. We are sad to see her go. She has become a special part of our family and will always have a special place in our hearts. Rachel is already making plans to travel to Estonia her senior year (well, the summer afterwards) to visit her.

Please continue to pray for the situation between the United States and Vietnam to be worked out so that adoptions can continue. There are so many great things that the agencies do over there besides facilitating adoptions. It would be a tragedy for those to cease as well as children have to remain in orphanages longer.