Thao's first month

Thao has been in America for over a month. It has been a month of many many new experiences some have been difficult, some have been wonderful, and some have been scary.

Thao and her father continue to take each day one at a time as they settle into what will be their life for up to the next two years.

The host family David and Hanh have done a wonderful job making them feel at home and have provided them with a loving environment.

The surgery for her hands has yet to be determined, but Thao has been practicing using her fingers and can now touch her finger to her thumb, which more than the doctors were hoping to give her with the surgery. We're taking this as a very good sign for Thao's future prospects.

Her first surgery for her face is schedule for December 5th. This will be the first step in many where a balloon will be place in her neck and slowly inflated. As it is inflated the skin will expand. The expanded skin will then be used to replace the scarred skin that is now her face. It is incredible to know Thao will one day have a completely new face.

In the meantime Thao and her father have enjoyed getting to know their new home. They enjoy walks in the evenings and have become popular in the neighborhood. Thao has a tendency to be shy around other children, but each time she meets the neighborhood children it gets a little easier.

Hanh has a wonderful garden where Thoa enjoys spending her afternoons. She loves to smell the flowers, listen the wind chimes and watch the bugs.

She has also been busy working on a puzzle, and playing with her new toys.

Thanks to America's "No Child Left Behind" law, we are hoping Thao will be

enrolled in school within the next week or two.

The first month has indeed been a full one.