7 Days and Counting...

It is 11 a.m. in Tainan right now... one week from this second, I will be the happiest mom in the world. Can you believe we've actually gotten to this point?

Tiffanie is with Gracyn as I type... AMAZING! And Lucy and Noah are the next to come home. The three of us moms have certainly spent enough time waiting.

The first glimpse of our daughter almost a year ago.

Speaking of waiting... for those of you who only know your kids via photos and monthly updates and feel like it will never happen——it will! And you know what? If you're anything like me, you'll wonder why you wasted so much time worrying and obsessing about moving forward when you could be doing all the things you said you'd do. Have I learned enough Mandarin? Uh, no. Did I freshen up on my sign language to make it easier? Hmmm, nope. Is my house completely organized from top to bottom before she gets here? Now that's just funny.

Someone said to me many months ago that I should not focus on when it's going to happen, but that it is going to happen. And that is the one thing that kept me going. It will happen for you, too. In fact, the wait—for me—has been like being pregnant... you wish it away at times but it's drawn me closer to Lucy, helped me look within myself for something I didn't even know I had, and has grown a love for the little girl who was meant to be with us.

That being said—kick, scream and cry when you need to. You deserve that too.

7 Days and Counting...

It is 11 a.m. in Tainan right now... one week from this second, I will be the happiest mom in the world. Can you believe we've actually gotten to this point?

Tiffanie is with Gracyn as I type... AMAZING! And Lucy and Noah are the next to come home. The three of us moms have certainly spent enough time waiting.

The first glimpse of our daughter almost a year ago.

Speaking of waiting... for those of you who only know your kids via photos and monthly updates and feel like it will never happen——it will! And you know what? If you're anything like me, you'll wonder why you wasted so much time worrying and obsessing about moving forward when you could be doing all the things you said you'd do. Have I learned enough Mandarin? Uh, no. Did I freshen up on my sign language to make it easier? Hmmm, nope. Is my house completely organized from top to bottom before she gets here? Now that's just funny.

Someone said to me many months ago that I should not focus on when it's going to happen, but that it is going to happen. And that is the one thing that kept me going. It will happen for you, too. In fact, the wait—for me—has been like being pregnant... you wish it away at times but it's drawn me closer to Lucy, helped me look within myself for something I didn't even know I had, and has grown a love for the little girl who was meant to be with us.

That being said—kick, scream and cry when you need to. You deserve that too.

11 Months Waiting

It was (one month shy of) a year ago when we nervously walked into our agency office to see the photo of the baby girl who would become our daughter. While every month after that was met with sadness, this is the last time we will commemorate the month-i-versary with longing.

As you may recall, 11 is, in fact, my lucky number. So it's fitting that we would finally be united as a family after 11 months waiting.

It's also fitting that we become a family of five during September. All my life, September has been symbolic of sadness and loss——not only is it the month my mother was born——it's the month we lost her.

But the month of sadness changed that September in 2003, when I discovered I was pregnant with J. In 2005, it was the month B was born. And in 2007, we received the referral of our little Lucy. Now, we'll all be united in September. I know there's someone up there looking down and saying, "see, stop all the whining——September should be your favorite month."

Speaking of September, something compelled me to open up Lucy's referral file the other day to see when her own biological mother's birthday was. And there it was in black and white——September 5th...the day we leave for Taiwan.

I've learned throughout this journey that there really are no coincidences——just signs that we're moving in the right direction. After all, don't forget this one.

Oh, and get this one... my bro-in-law, Lucy's Godfather, has never been to Taiwan. In fact, I don't know that he ever goes out of the country on business. BUT he's going to be in Taipei on business the exact same time we're there. How crazy is that?
Two weeks from tonight, we're on our way!

11 Months Waiting

It was (one month shy of) a year ago when we nervously walked into our agency office to see the photo of the baby girl who would become our daughter. While every month after that was met with sadness, this is the last time we will commemorate the month-i-versary with longing.

As you may recall, 11 is, in fact, my lucky number. So it's fitting that we would finally be united as a family after 11 months waiting.

It's also fitting that we become a family of five during September. All my life, September has been symbolic of sadness and loss——not only is it the month my mother was born——it's the month we lost her.

But the month of sadness changed that September in 2003, when I discovered I was pregnant with J. In 2005, it was the month B was born. And in 2007, we received the referral of our little Lucy. Now, we'll all be united in September. I know there's someone up there looking down and saying, "see, stop all the whining——September should be your favorite month."

Speaking of September, something compelled me to open up Lucy's referral file the other day to see when her own biological mother's birthday was. And there it was in black and white——September 5th...the day we leave for Taiwan.

I've learned throughout this journey that there really are no coincidences——just signs that we're moving in the right direction. After all, don't forget this one.

Oh, and get this one... my bro-in-law, Lucy's Godfather, has never been to Taiwan. In fact, I don't know that he ever goes out of the country on business. BUT he's going to be in Taipei on business the exact same time we're there. How crazy is that?
Two weeks from tonight, we're on our way!

High Fives on the Schoolyard

Although this blog is called Taiwan Lucy, you know I love to tell little stories about her big brothers too. In fact, I was just telling someone the other day that I'm looking forward to moving this blog over to Taiwan-on soon and writing about all the laughs, drama, and challenges that go with three very different kids with equally funny yet unique personalities.

That being said, I just had to share a little gem from today. J & B started a new preschool. (Remember THIS?) Well, J's teacher told Jeff that when they were out on the playground this morning——which they are at the same time although they're in separate classes——she saw them approach each other to exchange high fives. I know I'm a bit biased but they crack me up!

Maybe they have a sense that something big is happening soon...

High Fives on the Schoolyard

Although this blog is called Taiwan Lucy, you know I love to tell little stories about her big brothers too. In fact, I was just telling someone the other day that I'm looking forward to moving this blog over to Taiwan-on soon and writing about all the laughs, drama, and challenges that go with three very different kids with equally funny yet unique personalities.

That being said, I just had to share a little gem from today. J & B started a new preschool. (Remember THIS?) Well, J's teacher told Jeff that when they were out on the playground this morning——which they are at the same time although they're in separate classes——she saw them approach each other to exchange high fives. I know I'm a bit biased but they crack me up!

Maybe they have a sense that something big is happening soon...

High Fives on the Schoolyard

Although this blog is called Taiwan Lucy, you know I love to tell little stories about her big brothers too. In fact, I was just telling someone the other day that I'm looking forward to moving this blog over to Taiwan-on soon and writing about all the laughs, drama, and challenges that go with three very different kids with equally funny yet unique personalities.

That being said, I just had to share a little gem from today. J & B started a new preschool. (Remember THIS?) Well, J's teacher told Jeff that when they were out on the playground this morning??which they are at the same time although they're in separate classes??she saw them approach each other to exchange high fives. I know I'm a bit biased but they crack me up!

Maybe they have a sense that something big is happening soon...