Day 8: This Blog Post is Skull Free

After receiving feedback from this blog's #1 fan (Juneau's mommy), for today's post we have decreased the number of pictures containing human skulls from yesterday's high of 3 down to 0.

Also, I am extremely humbled to hear of all the people who are following our adventure through this blog. Yesterday alone we had about 700 hits to the site. We started this as just an easy way for our family and friends to know what was going on with our adoption but we are thankful for all the support and prayers we are receiving from everyone who has somehow stumbled across our humble little blog.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

This morning we venture out on a long drive northeast of Hanoi to a rural village known throughout the region for producing handmade pottery. We once again navigate the craziness of Hanoi traffic to reach the different kind of craziness that is driving down the "roads" of rural Vietnam.

Be sure to keep your arms inside the vehicle at all times.

Lilian knows the lay of the land well and takes us to the most well known, family pottery business that, at she says, "makes the high quality stuff that doesn't get sold to the local people." We take a tour of the operation where the clay, gathered from the local riverbeds, starts on the sixth floor of their building then progresses stage by stage as it moves down a floor at a time until reaching the shop where they sell the finished products on floors 1 & 2. It is amazing to see these skilled craftsmen carefully shaving and shaping each item and the ladies handpainting the intricate designs on the finished products just before they go into the oven for 15 hours (the pottery, not the ladies).

Oh look a cebu! Wait, that's a water buffalo.

(For the veggietales impaired, please see google)

The rice fields of rural Vietnam

Juneau continues to thrive. Today was a little rough for her because she is seriously teething so she is a little extra fussy at times. During those times she definitely does not want to be held by anyone else but me and freaks out if I leave the room and she loses sight of me. Even when I am holding her she has plenty of fussing moments. Otherwise, she is a happy girl and enjoys playing with her toys and laughing at Grandma and Grandpa. She is also the flip-floppiest sleeper you have ever seen. I am very thankful for the help my parents have provided in being here. My dad does all of the typical "dad" things and makes sure things are taken care of. My mom makes sure I am never in need of a freshly mixed bottle or bowl of rice cereal for Juneau and she doesn't mind changing stinky diapers.

I am so thankful for the prayers and support of so many. The coming week will have its own challenges and I appreciate your prayers as we attempt to clear the last few hurdles to bringing Juneau home. Monday she will have official medical check-up. On Tuesday, her passport is scheduled to be finished. It is important that it is completed on time and that there are NO TYPOS (correct birthdate, name spelled precisely correct, etc.). Then on Thursday comes the last big hurdle that it is imperative it goes well. At 2:00 p.m. I will take Juneau and go to the U.S. embassy here in Hanoi. I will undergo a short interview in order for her VISA to be processed. Pray that this interview goes well and there are no problems with the U.S. approving Juneau's VISA. Finally, after our interview, the VISA is processed and is supposed to be completed approximately 2 hours later. It is important that this step goes as scheduled because we are supposed to be on a plane at 11:00 p.m. that same day to come home (a plane which we obviously cannot board without Juneau's VISA).

So, this string of events needs the precise timing and no complications in order for us to come home when we are scheduled. The thought of all of this stresses me out so I covet your prayers that things will fall into place perfectly and I'll make it through until we are back in Honolulu on Friday without too many ulcers.

Finally, more pictures of our June-bug:

Standing Tall

I am NOT amused