Vietnam Family Day 2007

At first, I was a little overwhelmed by this event. While I feel like I "know" many people through this blogging experience, it is SO different seeing them in person and initiating a conversation! We have so much in common, and yet, strangely, I didn't seem to know what to say. It was one of the few times in my life that I was actually a little shy...I regret that I didn't get to speak to everyone, but here are some of my personal highlights from the day:

• Tricia - helping me to start with Rachel and introduce myself!
• Dawn - hearing your Korea experience and seeing your excitement for your second adoption.
• Seeing so many beautiful families, especially those whose blogs I've followed.
• Erin - real talk about fears, bonding, and bringing home little sisters for big brothers.
• Seeing tears in the eyes of the "Sweet"est grandma as she told the story of realizing that God placed her grand baby on "the other side of the world...and then watching John Booth get up to get napkins for the weepy women.
• Seeing the Dillons again, after 20 years, and realizing that they didn't think I was a bad babysitter.

I really got a lot out of the day, much more that I expected. I think JB would say that I'm a worrier. While we are confident adoption is the right choice for us...I do worry a lot about bonding. Is this little girl gonna love me? Am I gonna love her? What if I don't feel "connected" right away? Speaking with those who have gone before, and realizing they had had similar fears, really helped me to feel more confident.

Jerry Dillon announced that there would be a Vietnam Heritage Camp beginning next year. I thrilled about that and I hope the Vietnam Family Day continues next year too. (Cause I should actually have a baby from Vietnam by then! WooHoo!!!) It is still gonna take a long time, but it IS gonna happen! And, I'm thankful to all the families that I saw today that reminded me of that....