Friday - Tagaytay and a Camel

On Friday we took a trip out of Manila to Tagaytay to see the Taal Volcano, zoo, a palace that was never finished by Imelda Marcos. We stopped by several roadside stands, for directions, some to buy fruit. Good thing Rhea was with us or we would never have known what some of the fruit was. Only thing I consistently recognized was pineapple and cocunuts. I'll give it to Sydney she tried almost everything Rhea gave her unless it involved intestine lining, bone marrow, brains or heads of some varied animal. Sometimes it was only a taste but she did try.

We stopped by a small roadside zoo in Tagaytay. The boys had been cooped up too long and needed to run a little. Ha! The place was small so they couldn't go too far except for the side that plunged down a jungle cliff (again Mike's parenting of "they'll only do it once" was vetoed and they were banned from that area.) Any way they'd run from animal to animal about 2 areas ahead of us. Unfortunately I was worried as the kids could actually reach over to the cages within reach of the tigers, lion, one very unhappy monkey and an array of birds with beaks the size of my hand, so there was a lot of me saying no don't touch. Well as kids tend to think Mom doesn't know what she's doing (in any language) Lucas was 10 steps ahead, rounded a corner and up until this time was pretty fearless that is until he turned that corner and came face to face with the world's ugliest camel. I think he may be able to broad jump for the track team as we're pretty sure he cleared 15 feet straight back. Needless to say he was behind one of us until we left the animal area.

Amazed, Humbled, Proud and Inspired.....

I'm not sure I'll get pictures posted before we lose power (don't know why but power will be shut down from midnight to 4 a.m.)but I wanted to write about a very special part of our Tagaytay tour today.

Our tour director, Rhea used to be a social worker at an agency called CRIBS. She knew of a children's orphanage in Tagaytay (Chosen Children Village) that is home to up to 100 special needs orphans who have not been able to be adopted. The special needs run from cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness basically many high needs.

Rhea asked if we'd like to stop by and see the work and home they provide for these children. We weren't sure how the boys would handle walking back into an orphanage situation but said ok as long as they boys seemed to be handling it ok.

The directors were gone but a staff member gave us a tour of what is a truly amazing place. What they do with so little funding is absolutely astounding. Physical, occupational therapy, aqua therapy as well as an on site school. The children cared for range from babies to 24 years of age.

As we toured, the guide told us the children were about to go to lunch, we rounded a corner to the playground where about a dozen children were sitting in wheel chairs, toddlers were playing on the equipment and all those who needed assistance were being aided by those children that were able. It was such an amazing cooperative loving effort these children were demonstrating to one another.

As we stood there listening to the guide I realized that Eli was quiet (very unusual) and was waving at the little ones playing. I turned back and Lucas was beside a wheel chair helping and talking with a boy his age. Then he went to the next chair helped to clean the face of another child, on to the next to straighten someone who couldn't sit. He would have taken care of each and everyone on that playground if we hadn't had to move on. He spoke to each child whether they understood or even knew he was there. If they couldn't respond he simply patted them. Eli was helloing and goodbyeing and generally just making sure everyone got spoken to. Next we moved into the baby cottage where there were 3 infants being fed. Again with the patting and cleaning. Asking each of their names and then the names of the children helping to take care of the babies. Lucas turned to Rhea and asked where their mommys and daddys were. It took about 3 breaths before either she or the guide could answer without crying. Too late for me. I turned back around and Eli was stooped over looking into the face of a baby who couldn't hold his head up, the adult caregiver said "he's blind" Eli looks at me because he couldn't understand, I pointed to his eyes and said no see, Eli has a look when he's thinking hard it's kind of a scrunched up, pinched face - anyway he got "the look"- looked back at the baby patted his cheek and kissed the top of his head. He and Eli headed for the door and we went to the cottage where the rest of the children eat. They were divided by needs, cp, autism, hyperactivity, etc. Again the boys made the circuit of the room, talking, holding, patting, asking names, helping to push wheel chairs to tables.

I'm in total awe of two kids who weren't phased as some adults would have been by needs that were heartbreakingly difficult. I was sad to have to explain that we couldn't come back tomorrow to see the babies when our boys asked. I was proud that no matter how difficult one of the children's needs appeared they showed unconditional caring. I wish I could let each of you see this hour that we were there. I can't do it justice in writing. I hope it's something I am never too old to remember and I can't wait for you all to meet two little guys who may be over-active, impetuous and hard to understand but most importantly our sons who have this amazing capacity to love beyond there own understanding.

Sorry - Exhaustion Hit Hard!

Sorry these are in reverse order of what went on today but as it's 3 a.m. forgive me!
Eli and Lucas found energy enough to swim after a long day!

Waiting for our ride at Rizal Park the last stop, Eli had just broke part of a national monument so he wasn't real happy right now and Lucas wanted to SWIM!

Yes there is a reason why in all pictures you see someone holding onto Eli. He is so fast that most shots with him in it are blurry. That and he really likes his Ate' Sydney.

Inside one of the cathedrals. Amazingly beautiful. Lucas said a prayer here. Not sure what he was praying about - "thanks - please let these people not be crazy - or please let them take me swimming now so I don't have to go to another church!" - I'm betting on the last.

Lilies in a moat at Fort Santiago.

I just like taking pictures of flowers. - Sorry indulge me.

Have you ever tried taking a picture in an aquarium with no flash, a billion people and constantly moving kids? Jay - Sydney wants you to get your job back at Henry Doorly Zoo and she has some pointers :)

The boys overlooking Manila Bay. Lucas kept insisting he could swim in it. The guide kept saying, "Yucky" This would be one of those spots we pulled Eli off a railing. Probably 40 feet down.

Sydney and Lucas. He's a hugger, so everyone be prepared!

The start of our tour day at Intramueros.

Oh no - can't remember where in Manila anyway.

Sorry everyone. I know we had some worried as I didn't post as usual. Many reasons, the leader being exhaustion and the boys discovering they can watch movies on my laptop. By the time baths and bedtime came around I couldn't go any further. So as usual it's 2:30 a.m. and here I am!

Yesterday was fun, exhausting, hot, interesting, exhausting, educational, hot and exhausting - get the picture. The boys really enjoyed the aquarium and Lucas was able to get more out of the historical sights. He remembers some from school. Eli could have cared less at some places. As long as we let him climb everything in sight he's happy. Not always safe as you'll see in some pictures.

We went to Intramueros, Fort Santiago, 3 cathedrals, gift shop (not a place for little boys) and Asian Village Restaurant, Ocean Park Aquarium and Rizal monument. Beautiful but man was it hot - 95 degrees and I'd hate to guess the humidity. The boys thrive in the heat, we just wilt. They are going to be so cold when we get back. Lucas freezes in the hotel with the airconditioning set on 75 degrees.

Friday we travel to Tagaytay. We debated after the over stimulation of yesterday whether or not to go but it's their last opportunity and our first for awhile to see the Philippine countryside so we'll go and hopefully travel easier. Dramamine is our friend.

Traffic in Manila - Crazy! 5 miles=2 hours (not rush hour) Hillary Clinton is in town which totally closed streets without warning. Roads our guides normally used weren't usable so we saw a whole lot of back streets and alleys. It is amazing to me the patience of the Philippine people. Saw only one fender bender. 5 lanes of marked roadways=7 lanes of traffic plus those created by motorcyles in between the 7 lanes. We don't need to use tax dollars to widen out interstates in Iowa, just drive like they do in Manila!

Enjoy the pictures and hopefully we'll be able to post again after our visit to Tagaytay.

Let Day 3 Begin

As you can tell Day 3 is starting out a little slower. Sydney would shoot me if I took her picture but she's pretty much in the same condition as the boys. They've got to rise and shine as we're taking a tour of Manila in a little bit. Trying to let them rest as long as possible. We're off the Intramuros, American Cemetary and a couple of cathedrals. The guide has promised Sydney shopping! Whoo Hoo! Oh the boys are extremely excited about the aquarium. One thing I know they've gotten is when we told them we would see fish today. Big smiles - hope they didn't think I meant we'd be eating the fish - oops!

ICAB Meeting and a Quiet Afternoon

This is Lucas' picture taking skills. He's oh so careful of everything but really likes seeing the results of the camera on the computer.

This was Eli's attempt - can you believe it. Mike starting to look a little worn out. He'd chased the boys around and around at ICAB.

They think Daddy is pretty neat.

I can't help but think of our neighbor Shirley. When Alison was little she always wanted her to sit on her lap but Alison just didn't cooperate. Lucas' favorite spot seems to be my lap which is fine by me. He just wants so badly to be touched, hugged and reassured.

Right before we left ICAB Eva took a photo for us. Eli does not like to sit for pictures, it's not a joke anymore people. All the pictures we've had up to this point someone has been holding onto him. There's a reason, he's gone before you can press the shutter.

It seems like we waited forever to get to this part of the adoption the ICAB meeting. Where the Philippines says ok they are yours. It just seemed kind of "small". Signed two documents and wrote a note to the boys in case they ever go back to look into their earlier lives. Any way that took an hour this a.m. then it was onto the pool. That lasted about an hour. The "boys" Mike included had a blast. Sydney went along as babysitter/chaperone. I dealt with the airlines. Afterward we took the boys to eat. I'm amazed at the amount of food they consume. Lucas ate 2 hamburgers and fries. Eli ate chicken (again) with rice. By the time we were done eating Lucas was laying in the booth and Eli was melting into his seat. Mike brought them back to the room as Sydney and I conquered the mall. Actually it kicked us but we took a chunk out of it anyway. The boys also learned to use my camera so I'll post a couple of their master pieces. Overall a good afternoon but they are starting to become quiet. We're working on not letting Lucas give into everything for Eli. Harder than it sounds he's taken care of things for a long time. Amazingly if Sydney shakes her head no they immediately stop. She doesn't even make a sound. Wonder how long that will last.

Breakfast and the Oh So Popular Pool

Well breakfast was an experience of amazing eating abilities. Mike and I were adventurous for us anyway and tried some Filipino dishes. Don't ask what they were, they were labeled but now I have amnesia. Sydney pretty much sticks to the hashbrowns and loves the fruit and juices. We gave everybody their doses of dramamine to try and ward off motion sickness when we go to ICAB. Cross your fingers. Here's a few of the latests pics. Can you tell they kind of like their Daddy?

Manila Day 2?

I think it's day 2 not sure? Yes we'll post more pictures for those of you asking. But right now we're off to our first breakfast buffet. Yeah! Back soon. Mike - Lori- Sydney- Lucas & Eli

Shopping, Pizza Hut and Bath Time

Wow - where to begin. Thank goodness Sydney is here. She is the main attraction. Lucas and Eli didn't go 10 feet without checking where Ate' Sydney was. Good thing as shopping in the mall was wall to wall people. We did manage, shorts, jeans, 2 shirts, socks and the big hit of the night - tennis shoes. Eli is big into Hot Wheels and "cringe" Lucas really wanted Nike's sorry kiddo they didn't have them. Then we went onto Pizza Hut Bistro. Chicken, rice and vegi's for the boys and me, Syd had caesar salad and Mike had fish and chips. By half way through the meal Eli was yawning and Lucas was ready to go back to the room - the big draw was the tub apparently bath time is a big deal as was apparent by the volume of water on the floor. It's a huge tub as you can see and I think they thought it was a mini pool. I can only compare the two of them in the tub as fish swimming in a fishbowl that was two small and then there was the whole whirpool factor. These two boys definately know how to swim. Lucas just came up and asked if they can take a shower in the a.m. Huh? I thought boys were adverse to being clean? I'm sure they'll grow out of that.
As far as language we think Lucas does fairly well in English. He understands more than he says and repeats in English as long as we give him the correction. Eli on the otherhand has little conversational English and I'm not sure how much he's understanding. Amazingly is that Syd and I can actually understand some of the Tagalog words.

Got Em!!

Here you go everybody. What a rush! Will write more but now we're off to the mall as we've got only the clothes on their backs. Thought I brought the small stuff but wrong again. Shoes a definate must. Enjoy the pictures cause we're enjoying the boys.

Let Me Explain My Traveling Companion - "Parker the Chipmunk"

Throughout our travels you may view a small stuffed animal near me in pictures. We figured I have to stay sane somehow on this vacation, and since that was Parker's job at home, we thought why not have him with us? It will be a "Where's Waldo?" situation. So there you have it, Parker the Chipmunk. I have him with me at all times, strapped down inside my purse, ready for any emergency picture taking situations; such as those that fallow. In the Tokyo airport we stopped for a quick pose by the 'toilets' sign, this way Parker knows we let him go potty on occasions. We most of the time will be taking pictures by interesting, fun, or frightening events. In my opinion, the bathroom situation was extremely frightening! There will probably be many more pictures of Parker and I to come, just look for him in the pictures and you'll know something eventful went on there. Please note there are some places we can not take pictures for fear of death; such as the scary S.W.A.T. team and their AK-47's. Or even more frightening; near the bidea. :) Sydney

From the Sisterly View

As we're sitting in the Minneapolis airport, we decided to eat a quick breakfast before we took off for Japan. "Oh, Chilis Too looks like a good choice," we all agreed. So there we are eating a nice greasy American meal when out of nowhere I hear a gasp and get smacked in the arm by mom. She whispered, very loudly might I add, "LOOK! LOOK! LOOK WHO IT IS!!!!" I look up to see Bob from the T.V. show 'The Biggest Loser'. I swear mom and dad never miss an episode. My first thought was is that really him? It is him! Then I thought, "Oh, man, I'm not eating to his standards!" Next I wondered if I had time to snap a picture...or if that'd be rude. I decided against taking a picture but was very impressed with his amazing sense of fashion. He wore boarder-line skinny jeans that were tucked neatly into his very nice black high top converse shoes. What did we learn from this? Well, I learned how to better my wardrobe and I believe mom learned how American we really are as we watch our famous role model walk away as we continue our nice grease-filled meal. :) Sydney

Breakfast at the Hotel

Well we've taken the tour of the hotel and ate breakfast as we wait for the day to pass so we can finally meet the boys. We've viewed the pool, saw the entrance to the mall (opens at 10:00). Any more convenient and it would be right outside our door. Sydney tried mango juice, said she's glad she tried but won't touch it again. The coffee is so much better than the stuff in Paris. This you can drink not have to eat it with a spoon. Temperature is 75-80 degrees and very comfortable but you can tell the humidity is building. Mike asked where the ocean was located from our hotel and Sydney very quickly explained we're on an island it's in every direction! Perhaps they need to go to separate rooms for awhile. Sydney will explain who her friend is by her shoulder in a little while.

Early Morning in Manila (Tuesday)

View out one of the hotel rooms windows. It really was sunny but apparently the tinted windows darkened it.

Day 1 in Manila

After a certain point of exhaustion you no longer are too phased by a lot of things...that's what we've decided this a.m. Talk about overload. Sights, sounds, smells. So far our hotel is great we all slept well, now it's a little after 7 a.m. and we've discovered a college is located across the street. We're on the 4th floor and it's not the honking horns (which goes on constantly) that is a little noisy it's the whistles being blown by the 8 police/security/crossing guards? I'm not sure who they are exactly. There are 3 different uniforms and they are helping people cross from one side of the street to the other. Let me tell you when they blow their whistles and gesture you better believe drivers do what they're supposed to...if not there is much yelling...which has to be loud since I can hear it up here on the 4th floor. Well we are off to see about breakfast and hang out until we hear from Eva. Thanks for letting us hear from you it makes us feel a lot closer to home. Internet is great when it's working!

We've Made It To Manila!!!

Yes we have finally landed. Today's travels went very well. 20 minute delay leaving Minneapolis, 30 minute delay at Tokyo. But somehow we managed to make it into Manila 25 minutes early. Flights were pretty smooth for the most part. Looking down on Alaska and the Northern Territories of Canada was awsome. After we left the coast line we didn't see land til we hit the runway in Tokyo. Really tired so I'll have to tell you about the Tokyo airport in a later entry. Sydney has crashed into bed, I'm too wired and Mike looks like a freight train ran over him. (I probably do too but I refuse to look in the mirror). I'm going to put this little tidbit into the middle of this post as to not freak some people out. As we were a block from the hotel our van was stopped and checked by armed SWAT teams. As we cleared the check point our driver says "All ok, have bump here today" I'm like "Excuse me?" He repeated it and this time bump turned out to be bomb. I'm not even sure what that building is down the street. Sydney's eyes were like saucers and Mike who was in the back of the van didn't understand until we made it into the hotel lobby. Sometimes maybe it pays to be deaf.
It sounds like Holt and Chris were able to contact KBF and reschedule our appointment to meet the boys for mid afternoon Tuesday. We're so excited and now I need to go to bed. Yes we did actually take pictures but will have to figure out the posting tomorrow. Thanks for everyone's prayers they mean a lot.

Part 2 of Day 1 Travel (I Can't Think of a Better Title)

Ok it's Sunday a.m. and praises to the Apple Tree Square Holiday Inn in Minneapolis. After yesterday it was nice to see friendly, helpful and non NWA employees. The hotel has been great and we're ready to tackle another day. My blood pressure is much better too. Although I did wake up during the night to count how many NWA airlines employees were oh so happy to point out, in the very same words, "But think you can visit Mall of America" ---7 to be exact and that's if you don't count the flight attendant who said it 3 times during our 40 minute flight. OK I'm done thinking about that! Except to say that when we called Alison and Rachel, Alison too had to point out how close we were to Mall of America but more importantly her favorite QVC store. Sorry Allison no can do.

NO I DON'T WANT TO GO TO MALL OF AMERICA I WANT TO GO TO MANILA!

That's right ...we are not on that dreaded 13 hour flight to Tokyo we are (through the incompetency of Northwest/Delta Airlines) sitting in a motel in Minneapolis. There was a "mechanical" issue and we didn't leave Omaha til 3 hours late and missed the connection to Tokyo. So here we sit until tomorrow when we can catch tomorrow's flight (barring anymore of the airlines idiocy) Can you tell we're not happy? Got that right. After a whole lot of pushing and even more demanding we finally got them to book us on the flight and then you should have seen us try to get a room comped to us. They finally called a Days Inn but Surprise! the shuttle didn't show, they didn't answer the phone at the hotel and NW would help no more. Needless to say after 4 hours trying to escape the Minneapolis Airport we booked our own room at Holiday Inn and Mike and Sydney have passed out on the beds. I need to lower my blood pressure so that I can try to figure out how to call Manila to rebook hotel rooms, reschedule appointments and tours and shuttles. Did I ever think I liked to travel? I wonder what the boys are going to think when we don't show up on time. I can't even contemplate that right now. Say a prayer or twenty.

On Our Way

As most of you read this we will probably be sitting in an airport, sitting on a plane but mainly sitting someplace along the way to Manila. Thank you to all who've been along on this journey up to this point. We'll try to post and put pictures up as we're able. Internet is not real reliable in Manila sometimes. We'll arrive in Manila 10:30 p.m. Sunday their time (9:30 a.m. Sunday Central time). We are to meet the boys at 10:00 a.m. Monday (9:30 p.m. Sunday Central Time). Thank you for your encouragement and please continue to pray for us as we travel and meet Lucas and Eli.

What Are YOU Going To Do About Santa?

Well as we were out finishing up the last minute shopping for the trip it was hard to ignore the Christmas season being hauled into the stores. We were finally headed home when Sydney pipes up from the back seat (she was quiet until then which in teenager means heavy thinking or sleeping) and says "Mom what are YOU going to do about Santa? The boys don't know about Santa. YOU better figure out something. We had Santa, the boys should have Santa. YOU better think of something to tell them. Their friends will know about Santa they have to know too. What are YOU going to tell them?"

#1 There were 2 parents in the car (the "other" one was mysteriously quiet.)

#2 Whoever said Mom had to have all the answers?

#3 Oh man, how on earth do you explain Santa?

I guess it boils down to that it doesn't matter if the kids are bio or adopted, a lot of parenting is done by the seat of your pants and you'd better be able to think on your feet and as Sydney found out - her parents don't have all the answers but we'll work on it.

Can You Say Typhoon Mirinae?

Yep - you've got it - another typhoon hit Luzon today (Saturday in the Philippines). It's on a path towards Manila moving quicker than the one that hit earlier. The reports are that it should move out to sea and towards Vietnam by nightfall Saturday (Saturday a.m. here). Typhoons are usually winding down in November but apparently Mirinae didn't get the message. I've been checking the weather this week, mainly just to see what the temperature highs have been to help with packing. They had been reporting chances of thunderstorms but I checked this afternoon and here comes Typhoon Mirinae. The boys will think our thunderstorms are spring showers - I wonder if it thunders and lightenings in a typhoon? I'm guessing maybe not.

How Come I Always Have the Most Stuff?

I'm not sure how but no matter how few items I set out to pack my suitcase is always overloaded. Sitting on the bed my stack of clothes looked no bigger than the piles for Mike and Sydney, yet when loaded into the 3 suitcases mine is level full while I was able to put items for the boys in both Mike's and Syd's. My good intentions of only taking the minimum amount of clothes always gets over-ruled by the part of me that hates not having an option in case of bad weather, bad mood, change of plans, change of mood...you kind of see where this is headed. As long as I keep it under 44 lbs my suitcase is ok right up until I'm at the end of 30 hours of no sleep trying to drag this suitcase through a foreign airport and that's if we're lucky and our suitcases aren't m.i.a. Anyway the suitcases are loaded (yes a week early but it won't matter cause by the time we reach Manila it's all a wadded up mess anyway). I do feel better about the preparations than I did last night. At least there is progress and now you can walk into the boys room - you just can't see the beds as that's where the suitcases are!

Packing and Planning...

"Two weeks should be plenty of time to pack 3 suitcases for 3 people."

"How much can suitcases weigh when you fly internationally?"

"Who's picking us up at the airport in Manila at 11:00 p.m.?"

"What time is our appointment to meet the boys?"

"Why is it taking me 3 days and counting to pack one suitcase?"

I really thought that once we reached this point that I'd have had this part down as I've had a lot of time to think about this. But these past two days trying to figure out what to pack for the 3 of us and what items to take with us for the boys has really jammed my brain. Could be that I'm also obsessing about finishing sub plans at work and trying to keep things on an even keel with day to day stuff until we leave. Let's see there's Halloween, Rachel traveling this week-end, Sydney in the high school play the night before we fly out and Alison and troups to install in the house for house sitting duty. Plus did I mention the PACKING which at the moment has exploded into the boys' room as it seemed to be the most out of traffic area. Good plan but now I can't stand that their room which was all set and cleaned is now ground zero. I know, I know it will come together and I won't remember this after they get home. Then I also have the reassurance of friends with sons that this is to become a permanent state of housekeeping --I'll strive for a happy medium. 12 days and counting......

Hotel Is Reserved

Called Manila last night and reserved rooms at the Holiday Inn Galleria. It was actually easier than booking a room within the U.S. We didn't use the Holiday Inn website to book because the size of room we needed it just kept saying we exceeded the maximum people allowed per room. It was a whole lot less frustrating to talk with a live person and tell her what we were doing and what we needed. She gave us 3 options and we were all set. Still hate the fact that we are coming back early Sunday afternoon, Rachel will only have a couple hours at most before she has to head back. Can't be helped doesn't mean we have to like it.

Making Travel Plans!!!

Yes - we were expecting only to hear if Lucas passed his chest x-ray (which he did thank God) but we also got the best news so far... Eva said to go ahead and begin making travel plans. Many hours later we now have flights for November 7 and arriving home on the 15th. Not exactly the dates we hoped for (I wanted to leave now - guess that was overboard). We'll have to come back on a Sunday instead of Saturday. The thing we've learned tonight is that it's fairly easy to get to Manila but harder to get a flight out. Now for the fun time of calling hotels in Manila and seeing what we can get for a hotel reservation.

Bracing For Yet Another Storm!

Yes it's true...there is another typhoon headed for the eastern and northern portion of the island Manila is on. There are evacuations in the north and emergency measures being taken everywhere. The devastating pictures from the Philippines are heart rending. Everyone looks so exhausted from the soldiers, to relief workers, orphanage workers and everyday residents. Keep them in your prayers.

Physicals and Immunizations and X-Ray

Well here's what we know today. Eli and Lucas had their physicals on the 14th. Eli passed his and won the "lucky" opportunity to have 3 vaccinations (MMR, HepB and Chicken Pox) even though our doctor here will be repeating all their vaccinations. Welcome to our country! Lucas had to have a follow up chest x-ray which will be read Monday, the 19th and hopefully do his shots then too. Then both boys go on Friday, October 23 for their visa interview. Boy I sure hope that all goes off as planned. Another week-end of waiting, but possibly just a little closer than we were.

Psych! Not Yet

Well the appointments didn't happen last Friday due to ICAB not being able to release the funds yet. Today we recieved word that the funds are now available and Eva is trying to see if they can schedule the boys' physicals for the 14th and the embassy appointments for next week. Now it's looking like we may hit traveling right before Thanksgiving - don't want to jinx anything but international holiday travel doesn't sound like fun but if that's when they say go we're gone!

Visa Medical Appointment???

Not sure but after checking the Embassy in Manila website on Wednesday, it showed the boys' were scheduled for the visa medicals Friday, October 9 at St. Luke's. I was able to email Kristine at Holt to double check as we hadn't heard anything from them. She said they had not heard anything from Eva about it being scheduled and that the embassy website is not reliable. I'll take the positive (and uninformed) and say that the embassy didn't pull the boys' case numbers and randomly put them on the site for no reason...hopeful thinking I know but as we move into week 6 of waiting on ICAB to release the funds I'll take any ray of sunshine out there.