What a day

I have had a bit of trouble posting and fear that the connection is fragile so short for now, but... what a day. We (three families -jessica joining us today) traveled the 7 hour ride from HCMC to Ninh Thuan with Phuang. It was a very nice ride and we stopped a long the way a couple of times to eat etc - and arrived at our hotel - Ninh Chu Hotel- in Ninh Thuan. We weren't there very long before we loaded up the van again with the group and just the gifts for the kids (not the overall donations). Tootsie Pops and toys and stuffed animals (Sue - they were a big hit and we have photots i believe!). It's funny, i had envisioned this LONG driveway to the orphanage but suddenly we turn a corner and -- there it is. And the nannies were upstairs holding the little ones and looking down. And then we saw Izzu Thu and her lovely nannie was holding her and I nodded and she pointed to me. At some point shortly after that we went up the stairs and there they were. And the kids are so beautiful and they are so very well cared for and loved and you see how hard this is for their wonderful caregivers. Not just the nannies but the older children and the workers. And yet you know how happy they are for these children to have opportunity. Izzy is so incredibly sweet and calm (again, her mama is going to learn a lot from this beautiful child for sure). We woke up at 4 am today (slept in a bit!) and so i will post now and share just a few pictures and then get ready for another very big day indeed - the Giving & Receiving ceremony. We leave for the center at 8 to meet the directors and then the ceremony is at 9.