What a summer!

We've had quite a time these last couple of months. Been back and forth to Pensacola to visit with family, celebrate birthdays, graduation, and attend my cousin Milli's wedding. Kai's readoption day was on July 6th at the downtown courthouse. What a celebration with family & friends. We also visited our friends Deb & Peter in Miami were Kai got to go on his first boat ride which he loved. His grandparents from Belize came and Uncle Bobby from NYC to meet him. I can honestly say this has been the quickest summer of my life. I can't believe I'm back to teaching in just one week. Starting next Monday John will be taking Kai to a caregiver at noon every day and I'll be picking him up at four. She's one of the most loving, caring people I know. I just hope that we can convince Kai. He's gotten very attached to John & I. I plan on going by her house a couple of times this week to get him acclimated. We shall see. He has changed so much since bringing him home. He crawls faster than I can walk, pulls up to standing, and creeps along the furniture. He's sleeping about 12 hours every night and takes a couple of naps during the day. Great down time for mom and dad too! He loves horseplaying with Dad, reading books, being pushed in the stroller on walks with Mom and Pepper, trying new foods, and playing with family and friends. I'll try to post some pic's over the last couple of months to share when Blogger will let me. Hope you enjoy.

Last Day in Taiwan

After receiving Kai's visa on our last day in Taiwan we decided to tour the memorial gardens made to honor one of Taiwan's presidents, Chiang Kai-Shek, from the 1950's. Even though it was overcast it was still breathtaking. It reminded us a little of Central Park with the busy city surrounding this peaceful place. The 4th picture is of our taxi driver Mr Ya. He was so great...at our beckon call the whole time we were there. The last picture was our arrival into the US in LA...Yipee!!!

Finally I can post pictures again!

What a sight for sour eyes having Great Aunt Jo, Uncle Don, and cousin Michael to great us at the LA airport. We were there just long enough to get a "real" Diet Coke from McDonald's and about 100 kisses for Kai. After being home for just a week we we off to see Uncle Erik for his 30th birthday bash in Pensacola and play with his Granny Annie too. He's been so fun feeding him all different kinds of foods. The formula was getting a little old at the orphanage. It was so great having John's parents and brother here. They were a part of the airport group that gave us the welcome I'll never forget. Maw and Paw even stayed for a week to have fun with their new Grandson.

What a life!

From playing in the pool with Dad in Miami to hanging out with Pepper at home we are having a blast. Kai loves spending time with his family. Nanna and him are truly a match made in heaven....watch out Grandpa! Ha! We had fun surprising his Great Aunt Debbie at work and hanging out at Mama McDougall's modeling the onesie that Uncle Bobby sent. The last picture shows how tall he's gotten. Already up to over 2 feet. That's our boy!!!

Having a Blast!

Boy have we been busy! It has been the best ride of our life. I'm so sorry it has taken so long to update my blog. Every day just gets better and better. Kai is adapting so well. I can't believe he's already 9 months old. I'm going to really try my best to update every month.

He did so good on the 11 hour flight to LA. We traveled EVA airlines and they treated us like gold. Kai even had his own bassinet and spent most of the flight flirting with a baby girl in the one next to him. We were greeted in LA by his Great Aunt JoAnn and Uncle Don along with my cousin Michael, who joined us on the flight home. What a blast we had waiting for our flight to Orlando. However, it was really hard to go from business class EVA to Delta coach. Kai didn't like it one bit and he let everyone know for most of the flight. I felt like I needed to apologize to everyone as they departed. But it was all forgotten as soon as we stepped off the plane. Even though I only had about 5 hours of sleep in the last 30, I was wide awake as we saw our family and friends waiting with open arms. My mom was so excited she even let go of all of the balloons she got for Kai. It was a moment I will always treasure. Even John's brother surprised us by being there. Kai just went from person to person touching everyone's tear streaked smiling faces. It was like he knew this is where he belonged. God sure knows what he's doing!

Already he's been to Miami to see Deb's family, Pensacola for Uncle Erik's birthday bash and back again for our nieces graduation. We're even contemplating New York City! He loves to be out and about, taking walks in his stroller, jumping in his jumper, and playing music with his interactive toys. He's even pulling himself up to standing and balancing for a couple of seconds. We think we're busy now, wait till he starts walking. He has really enjoyed getting to know all of his family and friends. John and I are loving our "new normal"! Thanks to everyone for all of the prayers during our travels. It couldn't have gone any smoother.


We are now waiting for our re-adoption date where his name will be officially changed and he will receive a FL birth certificate. He's already got an American Citizen Certificate with a letter from President Bush congratulating him and reminding him of what it means to be blessed with this honor. However, John & I are the ones that feel so blessed! I spent about two hours updating this with oodles of pictures we wanted to share with you. However, something is wrong with blogger right now so only one posted. As soon as they've fixed the problem or Bobby comes over I'll try again. The one that made it is of Kai with his Nanna at Uncle Erik's birthday bash. It was love at 1st sight!

Welcome Home!

Tonight, as you lie sleeping
for the first time in your bed,
I feel there's something lasting
and profound that should be said.
But nothing I can think of
seems quite fitting, so instead,
Welcome home, my child,
at long last,
Welcome home.

Welcome home from every yesterday
from every then and there
To the now and evermore
that's here for you.
Welcome home to true belonging...
to together...times we'll share,
And countless family things
that we will do.

Welcome home to every hope and dream
just waiting to be yours...
To hands that long to guide you
as you grow.
Welcome home to understanding
and devotion that endures...
To hearts that love you now
more than you know.
Welcome home to all the memories
we'll make of every day...
To loving ties,
however far you roam...
To joys we'll give each other,
to the blue skies and the gray...
To all these things and more now,
welcome home.

Tomorrow, when you wake up,
a brand new life will start...
A life in which you'll always be
a very special part.
So dream sweet dreams...and once more
from the bottom of my heart,
Welcome home, my child.
Forever...
Welcome Home.

-by Michael F. Anderson

Home Bound!

Well Kai and I are posting our last blog. He says he can't wait to see everyone. I don't have very long before our internet minutes are over so I'll have to be short and sweet and get as many pictures in as possible to give you a fix till you see the real thing. Our flight leaves on EVA airlines flight #16 from Taipei to LA at 11:55 pm (10:55 am Monday home time) due into LA after about 12 hours in the air. We leave LA for Orlando at 10:45 pm (That's 1:45 am at home) on Delta flight 2003 Due in at 6:11 am!!!! In the next couple of hours we'll be saying bye to Taiwan and hello to America.....home sweet home! Does Kai look like a Florida boy or what!!! Lots of love to all! Next blog will be from home. :-)

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone is having a very special Easter. God is so good! We miss being with our family and friends, but we'll be on our way in less than 24 hours! We can hardly wait for everyone to meet Kai...be warned, he steals your heart for good! We had a great Easter day. Started off playing the whole morning, while John & I alternated going to the breakfast buffet. They really frown on bringing your baby into the dining room, so room service has been a dream! We had another good night's sleep. Kai doesn't wake up for a good seven hours and takes several long naps during the day. I think that he's used to other babies waking him up all of the time, not two smiling adults staring at him all day long. He's getting used to it though! He's such a good baby. Only fusses when he's tired and hungry (and boy does he let you know!!) Just like his daddy! We took three forms of transportation to church this morning. Shuttle bus, subway, and taxi to Grace Baptist. It's funny, we made it with 15 minutes to spare. At home, we live only 5 minutes from church and we're always running late. It was so neat going to church half way around the world, hearing the same wonderful story. They sang a combination of contemporary and traditional hymns. I loved singing them with Kai in my arms. He was just taking it all in and spent most of the service playing with my charms on my necklace that Nana gave me to keep us safe. How much fuller can my heart get! The biggest differences in the service was that most people were dressed very informal, including the pastor. Also, people would just come and go. The service started a little late, with only a few people, and by the end was completely packed. Sorry for the tilted picture here, remember that I'm limited in my tech ability...Bobby, we need you! Afterward, we went to the McDonald's right next door to see if it was the same. It was, except for the "Light Cola". I'm sooo glad I brought some Diet Coke. We then took a taxi to a Taiwan Handicraft Mart. It had four levels of the neatest crafts I've ever seen. Boy did I have fun shopping there. Kai helped me pick out several special gifts to take home with us. I can't get over how helpful and hardworking everyone is here. If they don't speak English, they are quick to find someone who can or get a book to help translate. They are very eager to please. We get curious looks everywhere we go. John is super protective when we're out and about. Insist on holding him the whole time. But don't worry, I get my time in too! Later today we have an appointment to get Kai's VISA at the American Institute in Taiwan. It's at 11:30 am. Right now it's about 12:30 am. I'm going to try to stay up, get organized, and sleep after the appointment. The time adjustment really messes with you. My body is a little confused, but my heart is very clear! Our flight doesn't leave until 11pm (I think that's 10 am Monday home time). We are doing late check out until 6 pm, before we start heading to the airport. Probably do some more sightseeing in between. I just can't wait to get our baby home!