I have a sister and she is so grand. She plays with me all day and we like the same things, drawing and making neclaces and so much more.

This is me right before the last leg of our very long flight home. I have been a real trooper, but this adoption thing is more than I bargained for.

Back home in the US

Hello everyone, It is so good to be back home. I think that Samantha is doing great!! She has had alot to adjust too. The flight home she slept most of the way. We traveled for over 24 hours straight. The changing planes upset her. There were so many people and it was all so foreign to her. We were greeted by family and friends when we arrived in Charlotte. Samantha called out her sister Rachaels name when she saw her. She also said grandpa and grandma with help and gave them each a hug. It couldn't have gone better if we had rehearsed it. Since we arrived back here on the 23rd of December, Samantha has received a steady supply of gifts. She doesn't quite know what to do with all of it. Christmas morning, I think, blew her away with about 15 gifts to open. She really sat around for several days not wanting to do much. I think she was just taking everything in trying to get used to it all. Plus I am sure she was depressed. She has left everything she has ever known and we are all strangers to her. Samantha is really starting to play now and enjoy her toys. She is madly in love with daddy and follows him around and he carries her and says yes to everything she wants, even chocolate cake for breakfast. Mommy and Daddy had a little talk, and our diet has improved. She is not too sure about mommy yet. She has never had a daddy before but she has had lot's of mommy's at the orphanage. Mommy's are more of a commitment too. So, she is on guard. I am sure a few more days and I will be a necessity to her too. Especially when daddy goes back to work. I think she likes me but is afraid to commit. I am going to attempt to add some pictures, it is different on this computer. Let me know if you are reading my blog. I am not going to keep adding to it if no one is reading it. Take care, Anita

Well we are back at home and back on line. the computer was down so Anita will update this tomorrow .

We are leaving the hotel in the morning about 4:00 am. We are heading home. Praise God!! I would not trade this experience for the world but I will be so happy to be back in the states. I am really excited about American food. I don't think Samantha will be though. I think we have a picky eater on our hands. I think I need to learn to cook some Thai food. They eat alot of rice at the orphanage. So, I definitely need to stock up on some rice. This top picture is the girls playing a Thai video game. They had fun at the mall. Samantha was glued to her friend She pulls away from us if there are any Thai people around but when it is just us. She will hold our hand and let us rub her back etc. She seems to be ready to go to America but she is scared to death. She is afraid that we will leave her at the hotel. She is still afraid she will be lonely in America. She does not try to talk to us. I think she thinks that it is no use because she can not understand us and we cannot understand her. She does understand alot though. We let her call Vo at the orphanage today and I think that was good. We just need some time and alot of these things will work out. The lunch pictured here was the choice of her friend and Samantha for lunch. Do you see the fish floating in it. I guess she likes fish scales and all.

The girls seemed to enjoy the boat ride. The last picture is the exhausted crew after a long day at the zoo. We will see you all on Sunday. We need to start packing. Love ya , Jay and Anita and Samantha

One more day to go! I can't believe it. We plan on the zoo tomorrow!

Samantha made huge strides today. We still had some crying, but when she started crying, I allowed her to call Ma Vo. She is the precious lady that has been so helpful, pictured here sitting beside Samantha. Samantha and her are very close. 4 of the women from the orphanage came today and spent alot of time with Samantha. It was such a great help. The language barrier is really tough for Samantha. She is such a bright girl and very perceptive. She had alot of questions.

I will back up a little. We started our day with a virus. Samantha threw up all of her breakfast. I have this too (Anita).
Dr. Sari, from the orphanage saw her for free. They are so giving and kind there. She said it is viral. She also has a rash. We have medicine and are improving.
The park is close by so we went, because we did not want a melt down. We felt like we needed to keep her busy. She did not feel like playing so Jay and I played and she watched and took our picture.

Samantha definitly had a glow about her when her beloved adult friends came from the orphanage. She said some of the cutest and sweetest things. Earlier she said that she loves her mom and will go to America with her. She also promised Vo that she would go to America and find good families for her friends at the orphanage. Vo asked her to describe a good family she said, " like her mom and dad". She also feels it is important for kids to have both a mom and a dad not just a mom. Samantha asked me if there are any more good mommy's and daddy's left in America. I assured her there are and told her I would also help her to find families for her friends. Samantha has many fears, but we can see she is starting to trust us. She was worried about the flying to America. She did not want us to leave her at the hotel. And many other worries. After much encouragement from Vo. She decided her daddy is a good manager, and he is strong (don't forget wealthy) so he can get us safely to America. At one point in the conversation someone called her "Ooy" and she corrected them and said "Samantha". The last picture posted is Samantha's first nail job. She was very excited about this.

We got some wonderful news. Our friends here, the Kershbaums, received their Visa today so they will be going home on the same flight with us on the 23rd. Their destination is different. The will be going to Michigan. We rejoice with them. One more family to go. Ann Davis and her new daughter are still trudging through paper work and government red tape. So, please continue to pray for them. Luknam's 13th birthday is the 30th they would love to be home for that. Well, it is late here and I am heading for bed. Have a good day because many of you are just starting your day there in America. See you soon!! Love, Jay and Anita and Samantha

We have Samantha's Visa!!!! We had a big scare and some major stress. But we have it!!! God is sooo Good!!!! Samantha had a good start to her morning but hours in the US Embassy led to many many tears. She was just sitting there and she had too much time to think. I think her tears may have pulled on some heart strings there at the embassy. It may have helped our case a little. Unbelievable that we got it so quickly. They first said some papers were not here from America. We are talking serious time here if that were true. Our Adoption Agency guided us and to make a long story short we got our Visa!!! Thank you so much all of you who have prayed!! So, it looks like we will see many of you this Sunday as we are scheduled to land at 5:30 pm at the Charlotte/Douglas international airport . Please continue to pray for Samantha, she is really struggling with not being able to talk to us. She thinks that she will be lonely in America with no friends to play with. Any of you that have any little ones around her age (8) I would like to have them over for Samantha to get aquainted. Just call when we get back home. I know we have Christmas and all, but when things slow down. We did have several hours of crying today. But I will say again that I am so glad that she has bonded with the workers at the orphanage so well. She will be able to bond with us. I did not take any pictures today. But I put some pictures on here from the week. The first two children you see here are two Thai children adopted by our new friends Dave and Katie, Their new daughter Mali is as precious as she looks in this photo. She has had a few melt downs which is to be expected. But she also is a bundle of energy with a contagious laugh and an adorable squeal when daddy fly's her around like an airplane. The other two children you see are some of Samantha's friends at the orphanage. Of course you recognize us and Samantha by now. We also have some new friends here Ann and her new daughter Luknam. Luknam has been so sweet and patient with Samantha. I am so grateful. Here she is doing her own grieving and yet she is reaching out to Samantha. What a precious girl, she will be 13 next week. We are at the same hotel. We had dinner with these 3 American families all adopting. It was so refreshing to sit and chat in English and all understand each
other (not that I know anyThai). These 2 families do not have their Visa's yet so I am sure they would appreciate being lifted up in prayer. Jay and I have been trying to learn Thai. I thought that I had learned the word pretty. It turns out I was saying "bad luck" I think I better stick with English. No wonder that women looked at me so funny when I was trying to tell her that her blouse was pretty. Hope everyone is doing well, during this busy Christmas season. See you soon. We love you all so much!!! Jay and Anita and Samantha

As you can see in this first picture, we finally have our little girl with us and she is ours. I thank God with tears in my eyes as I write to you. She had a rough day. She said good bye to all of the caretakers at the orphanage today and the children. (the ones that were not in school).Today was a day of tears and worrying for her. Please keep her in your prayers. She is so afraid. Pray that she will trust us. She barely ate or drank anything today. Vo, the social worker that has helped us so much today, spent the entire day with us and stayed with us until Samantha was almost asleep. Samantha told her she could leave now. Earlier in the day Samantha was expressing to Vo that she was worried about us spanking her. Samantha wanted us to sign a paper saying we would not spank her. I think that is really funny. We told her we will not spank her and signed the paper. She also made us promise her we would not turn the lights off in the hotel at night. So, we did a pinky promise on that one. We spent along time waiting today. We went to the DSDW meeting this morning, then to the USCIS ( immigration) we were there along time and had to get some things corrected from the translation. We will go first thing in the morning to the immigration department. Please pray that they will interview us right away so they can get started on the Visa, We want to be able to receive the Visa on Friday so we can leave on Sunday. We were hoping to get to the embassy today but by the time the translation place fixed their mistakes it was closed.

Samantha received farewell gifts from many of the caretakers at the orphanage. They love her very much and she loves them. We have many, many pictures of her over the years that they have taken.

Samantha was so cute when she saw all of the things in her suit case for her. She said, We take all of this back to America with us? She is sleeping with some twin baby dolls that I brought for her tonight and she really likes the soft blanket I bought for her.

We love you all so much and miss you!! Especially the kids!! Hi, kids. We can't wait to see you! Hello, mom and dad!! (both sets) and hello to Rita her family and to the brothers and families.
I am thankful that this part of the paperwork went as well as it did!! Even with the translation issue, it wasn't that bad, Thank you God!!!

Well, I will close for now, more tomorrow!! Love, Jay and Anita and Samantha

Here are some pictures of some of Samantha's friends here at the orphanage. There are some precious children here that need a home if anyone is interested, I will direct you to the right place. The 3rd and 4th pictures are of the street vendors outside of the orphanage. These ladies are good friends of Samantha's and have given her free food twice in the last week. Samantha will be looking for street vendors on Timberview Ln. won't that be interesting. The last picture is of our new friend, Mali, she is being adopted on Wednesday as well by a precious couple from Michigan. Samantha felt alot better about the whole going to America when she found out about Mali. We hope to be on the same flight on the way back home. Pray for Dave and Katie (Mali's new parents) that they can work out some paperwork issues.
Today Samantha seemed much better. Tomorrow is the big adoption day and she has to go with us tomorrow. Please pray for her and us. Please pray that when we go before the DSDW that Samantha will say that she wants to go with us. Today she seemed more at peace with being adopted. I made her a bracelet with her name on it and she started trying to say her name and she started writing it in English. Copying off of her bracelet. She drew a picture of our house.

She got a drink from one of the street vendors similar to a slushy here. I told her that her brother Andy know's how to make those. She said how will I tell him if I want one. We assured her that she would know English soon because she is a smart girl. All of our communication right now is through the workers there at the orphanage. Tomorrow after the DSDW meeting where we adopt her here, we go and start the paper work for her visa at the Embassy. This is what we need to get back by Friday so we can leave on Sunday. We appreciate your prayers that this will go smoothly. Again please pray for peace for Samantha. I have seen so many answered prayers in my life. I believe in the power of prayer. God is so good. We love you all. Jay and Anita

How do I put this day into words. Difficult. When we got to the orphanage this morning Samantha was saying" I do not want to go to America I want to stay in Thailand." Voraporn was wonderful with her and explained that she can not stay at this orphanage if she is not adopted. She has to move to another orphanage, because of her age. I can't imagine how she must be feeling now. Leaving everything that she has ever known. It is hard for her to understand what she does not have and all that she will have in America. Like a bird raised in a cage that doesn't know there is a wonderful world out there to see. Please pray for Samantha as she makes this adjustment. We took her out shopping today with the social worker. Just like a woman she cheered up as we bought some clothes and shoes. She has a very giving spirit. She got so excited to buy things to celebrate the birthdays at the orphanage. We saw the biggest smile that we have seen yet and she was laughing and giggling as we prepared for the party. We also went out to lunch. You can see a picture of Samantha and Voraporn the social worker that has helped so much, Please pray for her, she has a difficult job. There is a precious boy here who was expecting to be adopted this week and the family backed out of the adoption. Please pray for the child, he must be heart broken. He is 5. Please pray that by the 19th Samantha will be ready to go with us. God can prepare her heart. We love you all and miss you. Jay and Anita

Day 6 here in ,Bangkok, Samantha learned how to use the camera today. Here is a picture she took of me and of herself. Her and her buddy at the Orphanage eating some KFC.

Samantha is being very timid with us. Still struggling with leaving the orphanage. We are just being patient with her. We know she is leaving with us for sure on the 19th. We are getting to know each other right now.

Day 5 in Bangkok. We did not get to see Samantha today, because she was busy with the princess of Thailand. The princess came today to the orphanage and the children performed for her. We will see Samantha first thing in the morning. Oh by the way Rachael and family. We found out that Samantha likes stuffed animals with short fur. She also likes barbie dolls. She is not as fond of doll babies as we were originally told. So far she seems to like puzzles, paper dolls, making things, stickers, and bubbles. She seems to like the idea of painting her nails but we have to wait until she is officially adopted by us here because they do not paint children's nails here.

Jay and I did some sight seeing today. We bought something from the floating market. A store on a boat. We saw some of the houses that the Thai people live in. We saw children swimming in the river, people bathing in the river and doing laundry in the river and a dead dog floating in the river.

We took two boat tours, and saw some Thai temples with budda, There is alot of poverty here. There are many beggars on the sidewalks. They have a cup and ask for money. It is heart breaking. Many of them are blind or lame. Some with no limbs or missing some limbs. On a brighter note, we are 1/2 way through here in Thailand. One more week to go. God Bless You All, Anita and Jay

Day 4 with Samantha, Here you see some apartments on the same street as our hotel. The next picture is Samantha and a boy that she likes. His mother works at the orphanage. Then we have Samantha Swinging at the orphanage play ground. Jay and I found some ice cream at the mall. It was delicious!!

Samantha had a rough morning. She had to go for her medical examination for the adoption. It wasn't a big deal really but she was terrified. She thought they were going to take some blood. They did not thankfully. We went to Mcdonalds again , Samantha's choice. After a nap she was like a different child. She seemed more comfortable with us today, and much happier. She seemed to really like a sticker book that my friends at work bought for her. It helped to keep her mind off of the appointment. We also did a puzzle.

The Children here sleep alot compared to American children. She sleeps 10 hours a night plus a long nap in the afternoon. Yesterday she did not get her nap and she was very tired. We think she might be catching a cold. The princess comes to the orphanage tomorrow. This is a really big deal. Samantha will perform for the princess. We were told today that the princess really likes Samantha. That is pretty cool. The princess here has alot to do with this particular orphanage. Well that is the latest. God Bless You all, Jay and Anita

Day 3 with Samantha.

Our day started with Mcdonalds and shopping, the dress that we brought for her was way to short. So, we went and bought her a new one. We also bought her a watch and a hair clip. We need to buy some shoes for her as well. That will be another day.

We stayed at the orphanage most of the day today. We wanted to go out with her somewhere but she didn't want to because of the language barrier, and it is just so much change so fast. She is very sweet and sensative. Tomorrow we go out on the town with Samantha to get a required doctor's appointment and to get her visa photographs. Pray about that adventure for us. We love the comments, keep them coming. Anita is homesick already. We love you all.

This is day 2 with Samantha. What a day!! We played Dominoes together. She loved it! She laughed and clapped and she would point to Jay and say Daddy when it was his turn and mommy when it was my turn she say's daddy and mommy with the emphasis on the y. It is so cute. We must have played 20 games.

We went to her school today. Wow is it different. Everything is open because of the heat (no air conditioning). Even the cafeteria is open. There is a court yard in the middle and 2 stories of classrooms in a square around the court yard. And at playtime the whole school playsat the same time. They became to loud while we were there so they were all lined up out side as a punisment. They looked like they were praying with there heads bowed. They had to stand there quietly for a period of time.

This visit was hard for Ooy because she was saying bye to her friends. She was very proud of us but I could tell also sad to leave her friends. She showed us around to everyone.

We told her, her American name today she smiled and said that she likes it. We asked her what she wants us to call her and she said it doesn't matter. We will ease her into it. By calling her Samantha Ooy for awhile. Her nick name at the orphanage is Ooy, which means sugar cane.

In this picture, mommy, daddy and Ooy were playing. She is still struggling with leaving everything she has always known. Happy but sad. I am glad that she has been treated good there. She will be happier with us because of the bond she has with the precious people there. She will be able to bond with us.

Jay and I had a time in Bangkok today trying to find the Embassy and the translation place to get Samantha's documents translated. You have to watch people, we thought this one girl was trying to help us find the translation place come to find out she was stealing business from the place where we were trying to go. She took us to this other place and they could not understand us. We knew that was a red flag. We finally found the reputable translation place. It was exhausting and frustrating. We ended the day with another visit with Ooy that went really good. She did not want us to leave.

Below are some pictures of some sights in Bangkok. Traffic, Taxi's etc.