Tuesday, February 19, 2008

In Ninh Thuan!!

Beware, this may be a book. We arrived in NT yesterday and checked in to the most wonderful hotel. This place is so great I am trying to convince Jim to let's move to VN!! Anyway, we then went to the orphanage and visited. Samuel was at school so they sent someone after him. We watched Dawn and Shawn be united with their Thomas and that was sweet! Then Samuel arrived and his nanny changed him and then just put him in my arms. I loved on him and just held him. We sat on the floor and tried to play a little. We also gave out candy and Cheerios and Gold fish. All were big hits!! I was really doing more parallel play because he wouldn't look at me. At one point I noticed his nanny crying which really broke me up. We mostly just sat with his beach ball we brought. After the big kids got there he got up and played and we actually kicked the ball back and forth. At one point an older girl took the ball and ran to another room and wouldn't let Samuel in. He looked at me and pointed for me to get the ball. Such a wonderful mommy moment! Jim asked a few questions and was disappointed to find that he does not like fish. An asian who doesn't like fish??(Remember Jim is Japanese) Soon it was time to go.
Just a note, Jessica, the nanny really loved the pictures you sent. They all oooohed and aaaaahed over it. For you other NT families, we have tons of pics and even some video that I will try to get to Jynger ASAP! The kids are amazingly healthy and well cared for.

Today we visited again. This time they kept Samuel from school. He more or less just hung out. I was able to make eye contact a few times which was great! The Lees' brought some beenie babies and he picked out a fish and elephant. Then he still had his ball and train from yesterday. We also gave him one of the bears we brought. You should have seen him trying to hold all of this stuff. He would not let it down. He would stack it all in his flattened ball and tote it around. Then he would dump it and start again. We were able to ask a few more questions. He really is a great child! Just before we left the nannies were feeding him. Unfortunately his nanny was not there today. Oh, Tina, I gave them the pictures of Alex and everyone was so excited. When I showed Samuel he just smiled. Not sure what the others were telling him, but he liked it.

Notes to those yet to come. This place is an absolute dream! Relax and enjoy it!
For those at New Life: The bears were an absolute hit! Thank you so much! The kids are great and we are really having a great time.
To my sweet babies: I love you and we will be home soon.

13 comments:

Nadra said...

Amy...great post. I'm so glad you have finally met Samuel after all this time. What a special moment. Praying that the transition is smooth.

Thanks so much for taking pictures of our little guy and loving on him. It means so much!!!

Enjoy the rest of your time in Vietnam and post when you can.

Julie said...

I'm so glad to hear everything is going well. I can't wait to see those pictures of you and Jim with Samuel. A wonderful time for your family.

And thank you so much for taking pictures and giving Bennett some love from us. You made my day.

Jessica said...

I am so glad to hear you are getting to spend a little time there in in Ninh Thuan. It is beyond words isn't it?!?!

Thank you so much for taking the pictures and note to Phuong for us. =)It means the world to us to finally get to say thank you.

Tina said...

Amy,
I'm so glad to see your post. I can't wait to see pictures of you little guy with your family. He is a true blessing! Enjoy your trip.

Tina

Susie said...

Hey Amy, we want picutres!!! Enjoy Ninh Thuan...it is beautiful. Will continue to pray for Samuel and that he learns to love and trust you. Is his caregiver Minh? I think that was Ella's caregiver's name. Can't wait to see you at home with him! Susie

Laura said...

What an incredible moment for your family! I'm thrilled to hear that you've finally laid eyes on that precious boy. I will be praying that he will continue to learn to trust and enjoy you too!
Have a great time in Ninh Thuan, and see as much as you can! The Cham towers are beautiful and the local villages are really fun to explore. Foreigners are such a novelty compared to the city that we felt a little like pop stars =). The hotel can arrange a tour guide for you - we used Lan, a very sweet, knowledgeable girl about our age, who spoke wonderful english - and I think they charged us $12 for the day! If you ask for her, I'm pretty sure she's in charge of marketing and is not a tour guide by trade - just their best english speaker. I'm sure you're probably quite tired, but it's well worth the extra effort!

Anonymous said...

Amy, it is SO good to be able to hear about your time with your Samuel. God is so good! We will continue to pray for your time there and your trip home!

Anonymous said...

How precious! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Carla C

Bill, Paula & Will Cook said...

Wonderful! Sounds like you are having a the trip of a lifetime! :) We'll keep praying for health and smooth transitions!

Leigh said...

So VERY happy for your family! I am glad the trip is going smoothly. Enjoy it...you'll be on the plane home in no time!

Heather M. said...

Amy, so great to hear from you that things are moving along! :) I hope that Samuel adjusts smoothly to his new family. Enjoy your time in NT & HCMC.

Heather M.

Anonymous said...

Amy & Jim I just wanted to say hello. I have been thinking of ya'll. Amy thanks for the heads up on plane arrangements. Hopefully Mike will help arrange these seats. (HA HA) By the way I got sugar from Grace last night. She told me ya'll had made it to Vietnam. Hug Samuel for us. I hope things will continue to go great. Love Tamara

Anonymous said...

Amy, I am so excited for ya'll. Enjoy getting to know little Samuel. I'm praying for you and Jim as you are living this adventure. Can't wait to meet Samuel. Glad the bears were a hit. Love Ya'll Patty J