Final Decree!

Our Adoption is Finalized!!!  After nearly 2 1/2 years of waiting and worrying we are so grateful to announce that we are parents of a 1 year old little girl.  We went straight from finally finding out we made the April 1st deadline into court 2 weeks ago to receiving the Final Decree!  Usually there are a few more steps involved and much more waiting but we are thrilled that how ever it all worked out in Taiwan, she is now officially our daughter!

We are so grateful for all the prayers and support from our family and friends during this long process.  She is so lucky to have each and everyone of you in her life.  We would have never made it through this process without you and there are no words to express the love we have for all of you.  THANK YOU!!

We are excited to share the first pictures we ever saw of her (9 mo.) and the most recent pictures after 4 months.  We are definitely biased but we think she is so beautiful!  I am now one of those mom's that can say that!

Everyone asks whats next?  We will let you know as soon as we know.  We should receive travel dates sometimes this week which is scheduled around a Visa appointment for her in Taiwan.  This is typically about 4 weeks but could be sooner or later... now the anxiety of getting everything ready, Fast!

Emotional Roller Coaster!

The last few weeks have really challenged me and my family.  Not sure where to start.  Lets first do an adoption update as of April 24th.  We sent off the 2nd package that should get to her in April.  This time we went to Build-a-Bear and made her a sock monkey that when hugged you hear a recorded message from us.  We also included clothes that we hope fit.  Still not sure if she got the first package since we haven't received many updates.  Last we saw of her was in a video from Jan.  She is getting so big and it gives me comfort that she is doing great with her milestones since she was about ready to crawl.













As for the emotional roller coaster, in 2 weeks I had surgery, my dad had back surgery, my dog broke her leg and needed an amputation, my husband was out of town for these 2 weeks fishing a BIG tournament, one of my best friend's had her baby and let me be with her every step of the way, and I won a really big raffle... well two of them.  Now do you see what I mean?  So many ups and downs that my mind couldn't handle it and my body hurt.

As for updates on all of these: I am doing great and the surgery went well.  My dad is home from the hospital and is in the process of rehabilitation. Kya's amputation was the hardest decision I've ever made but she is ready to start swimming again.  She gets her sutures out this weekend!  Brian is back from fishing in Clearlake, CA and the Arizona Team took 2nd (missing 1st by only 1 1/2 lbs). Dani had a beautiful baby girl named Berkley and she could be the poster mom for the perfect delivery with only 20 min. of pushing!  Berkley is perfect and healthy. The raffle was at the Grand Opening of Babystop. First I won over $500 worth of kids toys from Kidstop and the next day I won a $1200 crib and they threw in a Perfect Sepora mattress for free.  There is a video on FB showing my reaction to the phone call.  I was very emotional.  Since most of the toys were for older kids, they let me trade some out for a giftcard which is going to really come in handy.  Some of the other toys we can give to the orphange.  They are such supporters of our adoption and I LOVE their stores!!  Below are some pictures to summarize what I have a difficult time doing in words:

Kya standing for the first time

Kya after surgery

Beautiful crib I won, which is at
Papa Steve and Nana's house
for now (notice the fishing on the bedding?!?)

And this is only half of the bath full of toys prize?!?!

Glowing Dani minutes after giving birth to Berkley (8 lb 8 oz)

Brian at Clearlake for Bass Tournament