Time for an UPDATE...

[b_weeks 6]

Helllo VJ!!!!!

I know it's been a while since my last post, so I thought I would give an update. Alot has happened. Those of you not familiar with my case, let me give you a very brief timeline

• December 2006 - Introduced to Trang by her sister

December 15, 2007 - Travelled to VN for 6 weeks to get engaged and fiance became pregnant

January 23, 2008 - Filed K1 paperwork

January 25, 2008 - NOA1, rec'd about 2 weeks later

March 12, 2008 - rec'd NOA2

May 30, 2008 - Interview at HCMC, fiance is about 5 months pregnant - PINK SLIP

June 8, 2008 - Entered the USA

I brought my then Fiance to the US from Vietnam in June 8, 2008. (I initially filed the K1 January 23, 2008). We were married on June 27th, 2008 witnessed by a co-worker and my wifes sister. The first couple of months were rough as many will tell you.

My wife cried alot, missing her family and friends even though she chatted and called them almost every day. After a couple of months getting used to life in America and hormones raging from being pregnant, My wife is much better.

Our daughter Lisa was born September 1, 2008 (Labor day) mom and the baby are fine. Filed AOS a week later.

Though my wife consider herself to be be a "cheap skate". She loves to shop at Wal-Mart, Target, and Costco. She loves eating Bar-B-Q, and chinese buffets. We never leave a restaraunt without my wife t aking advantage of the FREE REFILL to go.

Received EAD / AP in late November and her 2-year greencard in early february 2009.

Once the baby was 6 months old, My wife and baby travelled back to visit her family and friends and introduce the newest member of the family. They returned 2 months later. All is well here in Louisville. The baby started walking at about 9 months and is starting to talk at a year old. She says "MA", "BA", "HELLO" (sounds like "ALLO"), and "GOODBYE" (sounds like "AH BA").

Since tickets are cheap, we are going back to Vietnam for TET 2010 for 1 month. I also bought a ticket for my mother who has never been to Vietnam, and never met my wifes family. That is going to be an interesting trip.

Other than that, I have been very busy with work, the wife, the baby, and hanging out with our VN friends here in town.

[b_weeks 6]

Oh Yeah....

Here is a couple shots of our little girl.

Lisa

[lindal24 1]

Thanks for coming back and sharing your story! It gives many of us motivation that there is a light at the end of the tunnel...

...you're little girl is just adorable too!!

[b_weeks 6]

Yes there is LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL...

There is alot of great advice on VJ. The best advice I can give is:

SAVE EVERYTHING (evidence for your journey)

Make sure your Fiance knows EVERYTHING he/she can about you for the interview.

We got LUCKY.... The approval process (fast), interview at HCMC in vietnamese (no english), all in just over 4 months.

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

Good to know your family is happy, your daughter is very cute, and beautiful. We will be back to VN TET too, make be we will meet up for CAFE.

Loi and Suong

[illnevergetthis 5]

Thank you for sharing your story. Congratulations! Your baby is beautiful!!

[BinhJerome 14]

Good to hear everything is going well for you and your family. I noticed that you are in Louisville, I am about a hour or so north of you. I have heard there is a pretty big Vietnamese community in Louisville. I hope so that way we can go there from time to time so Binh can talk with people if she needs to.

Jerome

[b_weeks 6]

Thanks for the comments and support. That is one thing I could always rely on in VJ.

Things are going well. We are going back to Vietnam for TET 2010. My wife and baby have already been back to Vietnam. The stayed for 2 months visiting family. My wife mother and sisters spoiled our daughter to death....

I t will be an interesting trip. My first TET, and I bought a ticket for my mother to go with us. This will be her first trip to Vietnam, and first time meeting my wifes family. She has never been to a country quite like Vietnam...