Alex, October 2006 (age 13 months)
Alex, October, 2007 (age 25 months)
(Do you think he got some sun this summer???)
(Do you think he got some sun this summer???)
One year ago today we were at St. Lucy's in Tainan, Taiwan picking up Chien-Lu. We left San Francisco for Taipei on a 1a.m. flight. We arrived in Taipei around 6 a.m. Monday morning and boldly took the city bus from the international airport to the domestic airport ($1.50 instead of a $45 cab ride and just as efficient). A second quick flight from Taipei to Tainan, and before we knew it we were checked into the Evergreen Plaza hotel. We were treated to not one but two days of sight-seeing in Tainan by a St. Lucy's volunteer who provides translation services to adoptive families. She and her husband were so gracious! The second day (a day before we were to pick up Alex) we just happened to be near St. Lucy's and had the good fortune to be able to stop in and visit. It was wonderful to meet our son and made the next day a little less nerve wracking. This is not typical at St. Lucy's, but my earlier visit in July, to meet with the medical doctors concerning a vision issue that was discovered after referral made our whole 'gotcha' experience atypical. By the time Gotcha Day arrived both DH and I had previously met Alex and so it was 'gotcha' rather than 'metcha' day for us. Wednesday morning, first thing, we were back to St. Lucy's and this time we left with Alex in hand (actually, in arms) for our return flight to Taipei. By Friday night the three of us were back home in California. It was a whirlwind week!
It is hard to believe how quickly this year has past, until we look at our little boy and realize how very much he has grown in the last 365 days. He is a constant joy, even in the midst of being a very 'spirited' child with strong opinions about what he wants and how he should always get everything he wants. We are so glad he is a part of our family!
And since 'then' and 'now' photos may not be enough, here's the video of our Gotcha Day, which we had the good fortune to share with another Heartsent family. It still brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. God is good.
3 comments:
There are those orange pants!! Thanks for sharing your Gotcha vid - that was so sweet. Alex looks great - so happy and sweet. Happy Anniversary to you guys. XO
Congratulations on one year with your wonderful boy! WZgirl sent me your way (and we have emailed briefly in the past). Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful video. We will be on our way to Taiwan in about 4 or 5 weeks and I cannot wait to experience our own Gotcha Day.
I can't believe it has been one year ago you picked up Alex at St. Lucy. The wonderful video brings me such good memory of the Gotcha Day. it still touched my heart. thank you for sharing. I will see more Heartsent families during this month, I am happy for more babies to go to their forever home soon.
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