Happiness at Subway

This morning was our AIT appointment to get Zac's visa so when we got back he was so tired. He slept great but spent most of the morning crying so he was wiped and took a great nap. AIT went great - we were in and out in about an hour! On the way over it started to rain pretty hard and even though our hotel is only a few blocks away, we still got a little lost. Just when we were going the wrong way and praying for some help, here came this American man on a bike with a big colorful umbrella. He stopped and asked if we needed help and guess where he worked - yep, at AIT. He pointed us in the right direction and gave us his umbrella saying "Tell the guard to return this to Bob." Thanks Bob, you were an answer to prayer! I got a little emotional at AIT - it felt so "official" and this was the part that I was nervous about but they said all our paperwork was in good order!! Another cool thing is that I popped in a cd they gave us at St. Lucy's and it had almost 500 pictures of him on it from when he came to them on Nov. 3, 2009 to the day we picked him up! I cannot believe this amazing gift. There are 3 precious pictures of Zachary and his sister together. I can definitely see why they did a DNA test to find out if they were siblings - they look so much alike!


He wanted to do nothing but lay on our bed and would cry when we tried to move him. He would let Grace and Justin come close but still not me so I just stayed a few feet away but kept smiling at him (which made him cry every time!) Grace and I even danced a little - pretty sure he thinks we are weird! =) I was starting to get a little concerned that he wouldn't eat or drink anything. He had only one bottle since we picked him up and we tried to encourage him to drink and he would just look away. Grace and I did have a good laugh when he pulled his big blanket over his head and then drank some of his bottle underneath it so we "couldn't see". He is a stinker, I can tell - and he will fit right in with his stinker brother Asher! I'm gonna be in for it!

You might recognize this blankie! Joah has been attached to his blankie since birth and he had an extra one and wanted me to bring it for Zac. Zac LOVES it and keeps it with him always. Thank you Joah - you are such a great big brother!!!! And thank you to Matt, Andrew, and Julia for the very cool shirt he wore to his AIT appointment today!!

We decided to pick him up and head out rather than let him stay in bed all day (he was awake) so we went to Grace's favorite, Subway. He cried when we ordered and pulled his hat over his eyes when we tried to look at him (I have to say I love that). BUT...we sat down and started eating and Grace put some of her cookie and a few cheetos in front of him and all of the sudden he picked up some cookie and ate it!!!! We were so thrilled!!!

Cookie crumbs on his little lips! (This is where I must point out that he is ADORABLE!!!!)

And we made a nice big scene when he took a drink of his water too! Subway is the best!!

He loved playing with the straws! Cannot tell you how it felt to see him perk up and have some fun!

Totally different boy from this morning - he was being so silly. I can't wait to see more and more of his personality come out.

We walked over to a very nice park and he took Grace's hand to walk a little but then wanted Justin to hold him again. Sara - the baby carrier has been a lifesaver! Thank you!!

Got some giggles swinging!

And then guess what happened...he let me hold him!!!!!! Oh, it was so wonderful. He laid on my shoulder because he was getting tired again. I loved every moment. The mommy "bounce and rock" kicked in and I soaked in all 30 pounds of him, singing little songs in his ear. He still pulled his hat over his eyes when I tried to look at him but I am NOT complaining. So so thankful we are making progress. I can't believe this little face I have been looking at since April is now right here with us. It is no doubt a miracle orchestrated by a loving , good Father who binds up the brokenhearted and sets the lonely in families.

We have our little boy!!

Last picture before we head to St. Lucy Orphanage! We pulled up and the very first face we saw through the taxi window was Zachary! He was playing outside and we knew it was him right away! What a feeling - I just can't describe seeing him for the first time. We were told ahead of time that he would be shy. Well, let's just say terrified seems like a better word. He cried and cried when we would try to get near him and clung to his nannies. I was not at all discouraged by this because the longer we were there the more we saw how INCREDIBLY loved and adored he has been by these beautiful women for the last 2 years. This is a gift we could never know how to thank them for. He is extremely attached to his nannies and they said he knew he was leaving them that day and was very sad. I am thankful for every tear he cried (and is still crying) because I know the significance of the great love he has for his nannies. This is no ordinary orphanage, that was very clear!


We kept our distance at first because the closer we got the more he cried! He was the oldest child at St. Lucy. We found out there are only around 30 children there, most of them babies.

We watched the nannies say good-bye to him and try to encourage him that we were his mommy and daddy but he would not have it. We totally understand that it is okay that he didn't come running into our arms, he will grieve for these women he loves so much. They are part of my heart now as well. I just can't say enough about them.

Rosa and Spring Peach trying to tell Zachary that we are the people in the photo album (we had sent him for Christmas) and we are here to take him home. (He also got his beloved pacifier to help calm him down - they gave us 3 extras and also one he had chewed a hole in as a "memory" for us).

Justin finally took him and he calmed down after we went for a walk (they said he needed to move away from the orphanage because he wouldn't stop crying for his nannies if he could see them). I laughed later that his shirt we brought for him says "Mom's #1 Fan" and I am not his favorite person quite yet! =)

first picture with the 4 of us - just need 3 more little ones to make it complete!

Spring Peach had a special gift for him. Justin had to stay outside and walk the street with him so he wouldn't scream for his nannies so I went in and learned about his schedule and received some precious gifts for him. I was told so many things about him that I never would have dreamed I'd ever get to find out. The biggest news (and most shocking!) is that he has a biological sister! We were so confused and wondered how this was possible since he was abandoned. They said a baby girl, one year younger than him, was found at the same location and she looked so much like him a DNA test was done and they found they they are biological siblings! His sister was adopted by another family in America and they want to contact us!! How crazy is this!!!!

This nanny made a beautiful scrapbook for Zachary as well as a handmade scarf. She had the hardest time saying good-bye to him. She said he was her favorite and she loved him so much. She and I hugged and cried and I thanked her over and over.

Another emotional good-bye

One last good-bye as we were loading into the taxi. Many tears...we promised to send pictures as often as we can. I just can't describe how wonderful these women are. Our son has been VERY loved.

We passed his "finding spot" as we left - it was only a few blocks from St. Lucy and we didn't even know that when we were there the other day.

At the train station. He was very calm when Grace or Justin held him. At this point I hadn't gotten to hold him yet because he would cry when I even looked at him. I am thankful he is peaceful and comfortable with them.

We were quite a sight walking at to the train with all of our luggage. Justin had Zac is one arm and pulled 3 suitcases stacked on top of each other with the other. I was the funniest looking with a backpack, briefcase, duffelbag, purse and camera around my neck! =)

Precious boy

He's still not so sure about that lady with the camera (aka mom)

I FINALLY got to hold him at the hotel!!!! It was brief but so wonderful.

LOVE this - oh my heart could burst. She is his comfort right now - thank you God for Gracie.

He is so tired - what a day. Still hasn't left her side.

Now we are settled into our hotel in Taipei and will go to our AIT (American Institute in Taiwan) appointment in the morning. It has been a day I will never forget. A day I have dreamed about and prayed about. I know I will get my cuddle time with my new baby boy but for now I am rejoicing, thanking God, and pondering all this in my heart (thanks Erica) for this gift. If Zachary being scared of us and grieving his beloved nannies means that he has been loved and adored - I am nothing but grateful for God's loving Hand on this boy. Thank you for praying - please keep it up!!

Sightseeing in Tainan

We spent a wonderful day sightseeing in Tainan! We are so blessed to have been able to see so much of the city Zac was born in and we will be able to tell him about the beautiful places we saw and the kind people we met! We grabbed a map and headed out and thanks to Justin's navigating skills and some friendly local people, we got around the city very well!

Too chilly to swim but we still relaxed by the pool!

Breakfast was AMAZING! Grace loves chopsticks!

This is the view from our room on the 28th floor

One of the churches we saw

Our first stop, Chihkan Tower, built by the Dutch in 1653. Yes, I said the Dutch. You wouldn't believe all the Dutch history here (I am Dutch and almost found it comical at all the windmills and wooden shoes we saw!)

At one of the many shrines we saw. We walked through this one and people were burning inscense and papers to worship their gods. I quietly sang the name of Jesus as we walked through.

wooden shoes for sale!

Anping Old Fort. In 1624, the Dutch occupied Anping and took ten years to build a fort named "Fort Zeelandia".

Anping Tree House. The roots and branches of banyan trees wrapped around the building!

Grace is getting tired but she hung in there!

A little more Dutch...windmill at the Tree House

I couldn't resist posting this. It was part of the museum section of the Anping Tree House and written by a Taiwanese woman who married a Dutchman. I'm not even sure how to comment on this...would love to hear yours! Haha =)

Starbucks!! Grace got her groove back =)

It was a wonderful day! We absolutely love the people here. One woman bought us all coffees and helped us read our map. Many people just came up to us with big smiles on their faces and asked where we were from and why we were here. It is interesting to see their reactions when we say we are adopting a little boy. It is not "normal" to see an American family here to adopt a Taiwanese child (at least it didn't seem like it). We have seen very very few non-Asian people so we really stick out!

Tomorrow morning we get to meet Zachary!! It still all feels like I'm dreaming this all up. I am praying I can soak it all in and remember every detail of this gift...I consider this trip a gift. I love Taiwan and am so happy to have such wonderful stories to tell Zac. Thank you for lifting us up in prayer! I feel like I'm literally being held up by you and your intecession. God's gracious and loving Hand is so evident and we are soooo looking forward to tomorrow when we officially become a family of seven!!!

Tainan!!

We arrived in Tainan today!

The picture on the left is the spot where Zachary was found on Oct. 24, 2009.
The tall building is our hotel, the Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel and it is beautiful! Many other families who have adopted from St. Lucy's recommended it and I can see why!


Above is actually the first hotel we stayed in when we arrived. Gracie got a little homework done while I blogged this morning! Also above is the high speed train we took to Tainan. We are so impressed with the people here. They have been so helpful and kind and so many speak English. After arriving in Tainan, we checked into our hotel and got something to eat and then decided to head to Zachary's "finding spot", where he was abandoned. We had an address so our taxi driver dropped us off by a grassy area next to an apartment building. All we know is that we was found under one of the trees, wrapped in a beige blanket and he was a few days old because his umbilical cord had not fallen off yet. It was so strange to see where he was found. We believe the Lord remembered him there and that is why we chose the name "Zachary" because it means "The Lord remembers".

We walked back to the hotel and enjoyed watching all the people. So many scooters!! Everyone is flying around on a scooter. Tomorrow we hope to do some sight-seeing and then we will get to meet Zachary on the 14th!

We are here!!!!

Landing in Tokyo - it was so beautiful with the sun streaming through the clouds.

Gracie on the long flight

Flying over Alaska!

We made it!!! The trip took almost exactly 24 hours. We are so grateful (so grateful) to God for bringing healing to Gracie. Thank you to so many who were praying. The evening before we left she had a temp of 103 and was so miserable. She woke up a new girl the morning we left. She is still coughing but nothing like she was. Thank you for interceding for our family! God is so faithful.

The trip went perfectly - seamlessly as we have been praying. We even ran into my best friend growing up in the Minn. airport, Stephanie Hoogeveen! How crazy is that! It was so good to see her and had been a long time. I still can't believe out of that whole place we ran into each other (it probably helped that her boyfriend Kyle is a huge football player so he was easy to spot!)

We also met a Taiwanese family in Minn. and traveled on the same flights with them. They had 2 children and were such sweet people. The children waved and smiled at us every time we saw them. They gave us their number in case we needed anything - wow!! We also traveled with a group of teenage students from Taiwan and they were so adorable. They also gave us big smiles everytime our paths crossed.

The 12 hour flight went great! I am amazed at how well Gracie did. She watched movies most of the way. So cool that you have your own tv with movies, music, games - made it go so much faster! I watched "Gone with the Wind" because when else in my life (with 5 children) am I going to get to see that 3 hour movie again! I loved it =). The flight from Tokyo to Taiwan was during the middle of the night for us so we were exhausted and tried to sleep but it's hard on an airplane. We arrived around 11 pm and were at our hotel by before midnight! And here's the amazing blessing - we all slept the entire night and woke up ready for the new day, which is so wonderful since we are now on "Taiwan time". Maybe it was the "No Jet Lag" that helped (thanks Sara!!).

We are at the City Suites Gateway Hotel right now and will head to the high speed train soon and travel to Tainan, which is the city Zachary's orphanage is in. The City Suites Gateway is right next to the airport and was a great place to stay our first night. It was about $100 US dollars. (I want to use this blog also to help other families who may adopt from Taiwan because we are SO grateful to the families who did it before us and gave us lots of priceless information and advice!)

Gracie was fun at breakfast and ate rice with chopsticks. She is being so fantastic. Whenever I think about the people who have been so faithful to pray specifically for her in the last months I begin to cry. You have been a rock for her and have showered your love on her and it is such a gift - thank you.

As we traveled, we often thought about what it will be like on the way back with a 2-year-old! Please pray for that too! The support and love from our family and friends is completely overwhelming. I believe with my whole heart that God has surrounded us with a community of prayer warriors. Our church, The Crossing, is family to us, and our friends have been so close to our hearts. Sara, Erica, Joy - I love you so much.

We were able to skype with my mom and our kids this morning too! That is such an amazing thing. They were so squirrely - mostly watching themselves on the screen - haha. It was awesome. It is indeed a small world after all! Mom you are amazing!!!!!

Time to move on to the next part of this journey! Thanks for checking in!!

Stay Tuned!

We leave in a week! Sometimes when those words come out of my mouth I think I must be making the whole thing up! This will be the place I update our trip so we'd love for you to follow our blog and see this journey unfold. (If we have good internet connections, I hope to blog a little each day.) The reality set in today that we will have 6 people in this house for only a few more days - soon it will be 7! I asked a friend today to pray that I would have the energy to "do" this week well with all that will need to be done. I don't want to turn into a demanding, stressed-out troll! I am enjoying all this right now so I pray the stress doesn't get to me. I dream about this trip and what it will be like. I imagine Zachary here in our home. I think about the people who are holding us up in prayer and I am so grateful. As I dream, I also know the reality is that it will be hard for all of us. Please pray that even when it hurts, our eyes will be set on Jesus.

Stay tuned for more in about a week!!!!