Today we never got dry

Today was a very wet day and probably the worst day to go out on a high speed boat to the Ang Thong National Marine Park.  First, I need to thank Kim for my Scopolamine Patch!  I normally get sea sick on a little ocean boat ride for Scuba diving and this was no little boat ride.  It took 1 hour to get to the first island and during that time, everyone in the boat was soaked from the high waves and choppy water.  People were throwing up and uncomfortable from all the bouncing!   Yet Brian and I felt great.  Which is a first for either of us. So thank you for such an amazing little patch!

New friends Xiao Gou met from Australia! 

Our first stop was snorkeling where I am 90% certain a saw a shark (he was a little guy but a shark nevertheless).

Looks like a balancing act

Brian enjoying the snorkeling

Xaio Gou wanted to go but the mask was too big.

Then we did a little sight seeing from the boat.  These are some beautiful islands.  I just wish it wasn't cloudy and rainy. At least for the first time I was even a little chilled.

See The Monkey?

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We also stopped on one of the islands and climbed up some seriously narrow stairs to an incredible lake with an amazing view from the top.

View from the top

There were a lot of flip flops under each set of stairs (more like a ladder)

Emerald Lake

Beautiful View with or without a blue sky!

Lastly we went kayaking.  I was unable to bring a camera for this part of the trip since it was pouring and the kayaks easily could have thrown us in the water. Even Xiao Gou had to stay on the boat.

Overall, it was a fun rainy day until I decided Brian is not the clumsy one out of the two of us and I had to show him up! When you enter the boat, you must take off your shoes and dunk your feet in a bucket of water while it is rainy  and enter on the bow of the boat. This is the prefect set-up for someone to fall and yes that was me! It took me completely out flat.  Luckily I had my hair in a bun that protected my head but my back, hip, ankle, and left arm took most the force and now both of us are hobbling around.  Le Le gets parents that can barely get in and out of bed.  What a set!

This is our last day in Thailand.  Now we are headed back to Taiwan. 5 MORE DAYS!

Time at the Beach and with Big Buddha

Today has been a difficult day. Luckily we woke up little later today at 5:15 am instead of 3:30 am.  We rented a scooter to visit the Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha) and to go out for lunch.  The Big Buddha is amazing and overwhelming. The Thai food has been pretty good but I am missing my Dr. Pepper a little :).

We then thought we should spend some time at the beach but that didn't last too long.  It is HOT and not Arizona hot but Arizona + Muggy Hot which is totally different!  So we quickly went back to the hotel so we could jump into the cool pool but instead of jumping Brian slipped and fell into the pool straining his back and hitting the edge.  Now he is covered in deep scratches and serious bruising.  Now he has to lay in bed with an ice pack.  Haven't been able to find any bandages to cover it or care for the wound. We are just laying low and hopefully he is feeling better tomorrow since we have a busy last day here planned.

We also heard that our daughter is in quaratine at the orphanage for what sounds like the flu.  We think this should end before her we get there but we are praying for a healthy Le Le.  She is going to be going through a large transition and being sick won't help it go any smoother.  I can't wait to have her in our arms.

Best way to get around the island for super cheap!

This is a beautiful Big Buddha.

Even though we decided Xiao Gou is a boy,
he insisted on making him a "Mer-dog"

Playing in the sand

While enjoying the sun, Xiao Gou has all the essentials!

Even the water was warm!  Hot day at the Beach!

Brian is always ready to explore.

Le Le

Having Fun with Xiao Gou

Today started off the same as it did yesterday: up at 3 am and ready to go with nothing to do! We love Jet Lag... I hope that this consistency of going to bed early and awaking early might help out with Le Le. 

After a wonderful breakfast on the beach, we left for a 4 x 4 safari with Xiao Gou.  By now people around us  either know who Xiao Gou is and why we are taking our pictures with a stuffed animal or they just think we are weird tourists by the looks we get.

We went to several key historical sites, some scenic locations, and also just played a little.  We are easily setting ourselves up to have to bring Le Le back here when she realizes everything Xiao Gou got to do.  Did I mention we got to ride elephants!?!?!  Highlight of the day!

Tomorrow should be much more relaxing!

We loved riding on top of the 4 x 4 but
we were almost decapitated numerous times by tree branches or power lines!

Xiao Gou enjoyed being held by this beautiful statue
in the Magical Garden which was built by one man
over 40 years!

Xiao Gou at the temple.

Insanity!!!!

This elephant is literally tapping her on the rear!

Xiao Gou meets the baby elephant.

More Bananas please!

Hiked up to this amazing waterfall.
Can you see Xiao Gou relaxing?

There he is!

This moment was incredible and yet we have so many more to look forward to...

Wish Le Le was with us...

After traveling for over 30 hours with 25 hours of flight time, we finally got some sleep for almost 12 hours!  Wide awake at 4 am, not much to do... so we went swimming out our front door, walked on the beach, and had breakfast exactly at 6:30 am when they opened.  So it really wasn't so bad.

Most of the day we spent explaring the island of Koh Samui on a scooter and at the Aquarium with Tiger show.  I can't tell you how many times we said, "I really wish Le Le was here." or "I bet Le Le would really like this." It is nice to spend this last week of just Brian and I together but we miss her already and we have waited long enough to become a family.  1 more week!

Bangkok Airport

Crowded shuttle from plane to airport in Koh Samui

Finally made it to Koh Samui

Pool off of our hotel room

Adorable Sea Otter

Sea Lion giving a kiss.  Brian refused animal pictures!?

This Tiger wanted to EAT Xiao Gou

Baby Tiger Pup

Waiting to watch to Tiger Show

Xiao Gou meeting the kitty following us all over the resort.
Brian named him White Ninja Tiger.

Xiao Gou made it to Taiwan

We made it to Taiwan with no leg room and not very good food! Xiao Gou didn't seem to mind though. We are waiting for the next flight which luckily will be so much shorter. It is already so hard being this close to her and having to wait to meet her still.

We couldn't be more excited!

Good entertainment during a very long flight!

Safety First

At least one of us got a little sleep...

Taiwan LOVES Hello Kitty

Brian sent mail home from a mailbox just like this one.
He was so excited!!

Xaio Gou is jealous of the Hello Kitty EVA plane.

Bolanders are cleared for Take Off

Bags are packed and if we forgot something, Brian says we can get it in Taiwan! The last few weeks have been crazy busy but so exciting. We are now sitting at the Southwest Terminal with yet another delay in our flight...

We were given a great idea to document our trip to Le Le with her new best friend Xiao Gou (Little Dog). He will make this long journey with us as I hope anyone reading this will join all of us. We are so anxious and excited with only 10 days and 20 hours until we see our little girl for the first time!

Xiao Gou in Le Le's Crib

Riding next to Brian on the way to the airport

Nana giving a kiss good-bye

We are packed and ready to go!

Southwest to LAX

Getting a little help through the airport!


Le Le we are on our Way!!!!

Last Package and Travel Dates

Third and Final Package was sent last week.  

The day we sent the final package was the same day as our update and final decree! We posted that received the final decree but I didn't take the time to outline the details of that amazing day.  We were out shopping in the morning together when received an update on our little girl from the agency.  We were so thrilled to get the first update in months.  She was getting so big and eating so many more solid foods.  She weighs 18 lbs!  We immediately updated our families who all wanted an update on our court status.  We still had no updates on that and did not expect to hear much for a few months.  We were told that you get an official court date, first decree, and then a final decree.  Each step can take quite a bit of time depending on your judge and the additional information they might request.  Anyway, we were just excited to share the new pictures and update on how well she was doing in the orphanage.

After updating everyone I had to go teach at Midwestern. About an hour after I got to the school I received the following text from Brian (April 26):

I panicked!!!! I thought for sure something horrible had happened.  I immediately thought another dog was injured or worried about our family.  I tried calling over and over again but as you can see by the text, it kept going straight to voicemail!  Finally he called back in tears, "Did you see? Did you see? We got our Final Decree!"  Now I thought he must be crazy or pulling the worst joke of all time.  We only received an update hours before and now she is legally a part of our family forever!  I immediately left all the students in the middle of class (Sorry!!) and went home to get caught up on the last hour.  I found out that Brian was getting the address to send her package off his email when a new email pulled up that said we got our final decree!!  He went into shock and started to pace circles around our kitchen island while texting me the 911 messages.  Then when I didn't answer his pleading text, he said all he could think to do was to run down to my mom and dad's house in tears so he could share the news with someone and see if they had any idea how to reach me.  Yes, my parents knew before me!  We have now decided on a different "good emergency" code to text so 911 won't freak me out again!

May Package

She will receive the final package from us in May.  There will be no package in June since we will be able to bring everything to her ourselves!  We never thought this day would come and yet here it is... 6 weeks away from seeing her for the very first time!  We received our travel dates for June.  We are able to pick her up on June 18, 2013 and on June 19, 2013 we have an appointment with AIT (American Institute in Taiwan) for her Visa.  We will likely stay another week to take her around Taiwan and let her adjust to us before the 14 hour flight home.  I am now waking up like clockwork between 2:30 am and 3:00 am panicking about everything that needs to get done in the next few weeks!!!  I'm not sure how we will get it all done.  We are blessed to have amazing family and friends to help us with all the last minute checklist items.  We are so excited and can not wait to hold her for the first time and see her first smile.