Another Milestone

May 27, for me was another important day. It was One Year ago that Macy arrived in Canada. We were met at the airport by wonderful friends and family. Macy has grown and changed so much since that day, it is hard to imagine it is only One Year. I can only hope that the next 80 or 90 years will be wonderful for Macy.


Macy enjoys any type of water activity, swimming, bathing, water play.




Macy loves bikes of all kinds, motorbikes, motorcycles, and bicycles.

Happy One Year Anniversary

One year ago today, Macy and I became a Forever Family. Yesterday we returned from a Wonderful 3 week vacation in Vietnam. What more can I say, LIFE IS GOOD!


A wonderful relaxing day with Mom and Aunt Kathy at the Diamond Bay resort in Nha Trang Vietnam




Enjoying lunch in HCMC

What a Difference a Year Makes

One year ago today, Kathy and I were on a plane, anxious to get to Hanoi, even more anxious to finally meet the little girl who would become my daughter. I remember thinking how lucky I was to be able to have this opportunity to have a daughter in my life. I had no idea how truly blessed I would be. Macy has enriched my life beyond my wildest dreams. I had no idea of the fun that we would be able to have, including this recent trip back to Vietnam. We have been able to explore HCMC and a few surrounding areas. We spent 5 relaxing days with Kathy at a resort in Nha Trang, relaxing by the pool and and on the beach as we gazed at the South China Sea. (Kathy's husband and son went to Angkor Wat in Cambodia) I actually drove a motorbike here in HCMC without falling off and hurting myself. Tonight is our last night in this wonderful country. We leave tomorrow night, May 2 at 11pm. Last year, in the early wee hours of May 2, I arrived in this country, eager to begin the next stage in my life. This year, as I was last year, I am sad to leave. I know we must go home, but I am sad to leave this wonderful, beautiful, lush, tropical place that allowed me to have a Forever Family with my wonderful Macy. What a Difference a Year can Make.


Just a few shots of our trip

The Beach in Nha Trang



Bamboo along the Saigon Rivers edge


A Day at the HCMC Zoo


A fun day with Macy

Cu Chi Tunnels

I originally wrote this on Sat Apr 23, but could not get it to post.
On Friday, Kathy and I left Macy at home with Ron and Devon and we headed up the Sai Gon River to Cu Chi. Cu Chi is the area north of Saigon that has approx 250 km of underground tunnels that were used during the Vietnam/American War by the Viet Cong. We were thrilled with the trip. The tunnels themselves are amazing, the trip up the Saigon River by boat was a great treat and our guide knew his history. The tunnels are so very small, made for the physical structure of the Vietnamese, and the whole area is an amazing place to visit. We were both so glad we went.

Two of the many river views as we motored up the Saigon River to the Tunnels





A daring visitor trying out the tunnels for size



And there he goes!!!!

School Fun

fun with hoola hoops


petting the goats with Aunt Kathy


Macy with Aunt Kathy's Grade 1 class at the Zoo


the view from Stella's restaurant in the Backpackers district

What a Wonderful Week

We have had a wonderful week. We started the week with our trip to Vung Tao. On Tuesday we headed to Ben Thanh Market to do some shopping. It was fun. Lots of questions about Macy. I am sure most thought she belonged to Devon. At one point one of the ladies asked Devon if Macy's mother was Vietnamese, he shrugged his shoulders and pointed to me and said, that is her mother there. We figured they thought that Macy belonged to Devon, but when they realized she was originally from here, they were all smiles. I didn't buy much, just a few small things.
Wednesday late morning we headed to Kathy and Ron's school. Macy and I spent a few minutes in Kathy's class. The children were wonderful, very respectful of Macy. They were quiet and let her come to them, and very quickly she was happily wandering around the class, checking everyone out. The children were thrilled. She amused them with the words she knows, and the children all drew pictures for Macy. We had lunch with Kathy and Ron and a few of the other teachers, hung out in Ron's office for a bit where Macy had a blast playing with balls and the hoola hoops before heading home. The other PE teacher,Kathryn, a wonderful lady from Montreal came for dinner, and of course Macy entertained us all after dinner.
This morning was Zoo Day. We joined Kathy and 3 other teachers with their classes at the Zoo. Again Macy was great with the kids, and she was thrilled with the animals. She was petting goats and sheep in the petting area and was all Oohs and Aaw's when she saw the elephants, zebra's, giraffes, ostrich, monkeys, etc.
Devon, Macy and I had a great lunch in the backpacker district while we watched daily life in Saigon. Kathy and I are heading up the Saigon River by boat in the morning to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Macy is staying home with Ron and Macy. I'll let you know if I actually get near the tunnels, as they are veeeeeery small.

Pics

I finally got to edit the blog. Here is Devon enjoying the shade of the trees in the afternoon.

We had a wonderful time in the town of Vung Tao.

check out the last line of the sign. It is great to know that some of the businesses support the orphanages.

Macy catching a nap under the shade of the tree.

Here is Macy enjoying a laugh with her cousin Devon.