FINALLY! CEREMONY FINALEMENT
Trip Start
Jun 17, 2008
1
15
24
Trip End
Sep 03, 2008
Vung Tau,
Vietnam
Thursday, August 21, 2008
We didn't write about this momentous event last night because we were really tired. It was a long day.
Cheese!
After having waited all morning on Tuesday and finding out that we wouldn't go until 8AM the next morning.
Family Picture!
We left the hotel at 8h30 for our 2h30 drive to the Adotion office or something in Vung Tau to sign the papers.
2
Yes, once again we left late.
Stephanie and Stephane
The ride was fun because everyone was happy and looking forward to this event that will only last 10mn for each family.
Family Picture!
We were all dressed up
Waiting to leave
and were afraid that one of the kids would throw up (like Lyam did in the cab). So we all had a change of clothes. But they all slept through the 2 hours in the van.
Adoption office
Still waiting!
The ceremony was quick,
YES!
very quick, 5 signatures and a few pictures and that's it.
Lyam and Dad
We are actually signing something
While waiting
THE ceremony picture
The family
Family 2
family 3
BUT, we needed a stamp ... you guessed it...once all the signatures, pictures were done... it was 1130 and the person in charge of the stamp (a very important job) had left for lunch! SOOOO we had to wait until 1330. We had lunch at Highland coffee, where there were regular food for Stephanie and Stephane, went shopping for diapers at the local Plaza. The Plaza, a mini department store, was FULL of employees. Yep, there were only us. I think this was too upscale for the locals.Soooo, we went back to the stamp person and waited another 30mn to get all 4 sheets stamped. We were getting impatient by that time because we wanted to get back to get our passports done. The ride back was fun too, except Mathisse, Stephanie's and Stephane's son, was hungry. Lyam and Mya slept most of the way. We finally left at 2pm and got back at 4:39 at the passport office and it was closed.
Man, this adoption process has been one adventure after another of delays and waiting. Mind you, we only waited 8 months for the whole process.
But it is all worth it when we look at Lyam.
Workers across the street
Building a 3rd floor
