Don't do it!!!

hello everyone! we are down to our last day here in Taiwan, I think we are all going to hate to leave. Sunday we went to a river that is a tourist spot with lots of shops and street vendors. We had promised Steph we would try the "stinky tofu." She has been telling us since she came to America that it tastes good. She said it smells really bad but tastes really good. Well she was right about the smeeling really bad part. It smells so bad it turns your stomach. Well anyway we tried it! If you've been to Taiwan and didn't try the stinky tofu, you didn't miss anything. Eric and I took a bite and it was sooooo bad we had to spit it out. It tasted just like it smells. It was the only thing here we were not able to swallow. Sorry Steph, it was really gross.
Sunday night we went to Stephs house one last time to have dinner and say good bye. It was very hard to say good bye to Stephs Mom. We were both crying very much and promised we would see each other again. I am tearing up now just thinking about it. I cannot say enough thanks to her parents for thier hospitality, it was more than i could have ever imagined. thier generosity was very humbling. We have made special friends for life and maybe we can repay them someday in America. Jesse is the same age as Stephs brother and the two of them got along very well. He speaks a little english, but they did fine with the language barrier. Stephs brother was visibly upset when we left and told his parents he wanted us to stay.
Steph and her sister will come with us to the airport to say goodbye. I would give anything right now to not experience the pain I am going to feel saying goodbye to Stephanie. I feel like I am saying goodbye to my child forever.
Monday we met with Vivians family. Vivian is the exchange student we are taking for this year. We were very lucky to get a chance to meet her before she comes to live with us. She was very shy and didn't say much, but seemed happy to come to America. Her mom and brother and her Moms best friend and her son came from 3 hours away to have lunch with us. Her friends son was an exchange student last year in Miami.
They also took us to a very very nice restaurant and brought us all very nice gifts which was very unexpected.I cannot get over the generosity of the Chinese people. Many of you know Miki that I work with at the hospital, She is here on Vacation right now as she is origionallyfrom Taipei and has family here. She also met us for lunch and was very helpful with translating. We went shopping with Miki and her daughter after dinner where Miki also showed her Generosity. Thank you Miki, it was wonderful to see you here and spend time together.
Today is our last day here and we plan on just going to some shops and packing up for our trip home.
See you soon!
Love all of us

Grandma's house....

hello all..it's hard to believe our week is coming to an end soon. But I can't say we didn't get our times worth! Yesterday morning we went to Stephanies Uncles restaurant for Beef Noodle. He has one of those little eateries along the street. there are many of them. It was very good, mine was alittle spicy but still very very good. You know last time we came everyone made big emphasis on not drinking the water or eating from the smaller places or food venders. We have been doing alot of both and everyone has been fine. I;m glad we are not missing out on taste testing because of that fear this time. Of course we are not drining directly from the tap, but everything is made from tap water.
Last night we went to Stephanies Grandmothers for a traditional Taiwanese meal. It was very special to us and for them also. Her grandmother was super nice and we all managed the language barrier very well. The food was amazing and so much preparation went into it. Her grandmother had homemade plum wine. It was very good. but very strong and i could only drink a little. Toasting is very traditional and glasses were being held up to toast about every 3 minutes, It was very fun. Stephs dad kept translating how honored her grandmother was to have us in her home, It was so special.
Jaclyn

TEA!!!..

Hello everyone! we are having such a wonderful time! Rayanna is doing very well, a little fresh with Rebecka but thats probably normal since they already know each other. I just tell her to "be nice" we are all going to have to do some adjusting. But she really seems happy right now, she is very close to Stephanie and her sister because she can understand them and they translate for her. She goes to them when she wants something which bothers me a little but i know when we get home that will change, she won't have them. Yesterday she went to Stephanie at a restaurant and asked her to go to the bathroom. Stephanie told me what she wanted so I took her. I told her she can say "may I go to the bathroom" in English and that she should come to me and she said "OK Mommy". She is calling us Mom and Dad and said " I love you" in chinese for the first time when i put her to bed last night. She will come to me and hug me when i put my arms out to her. She is very cute calling her Uncle Leo " Jo Jo" which is uncle in chinese. The kids tell her Uncle leo but she insists on calling him JoJo, it's very cute. She calls Joseph "Joe" when she said yesterday "wheres Joe" he was standing right there and i pointed to Joseph, she said "no Jo Jo"...LOL
Yesterday we went into the mountains again to an Aboriginies village. I think I spelled it wrong, but they were the origional settlers of Taiwan. It reminded me very much of an Indian Village that we would have in America. With handmade crafts. We went high into the mountains on a Gondola above the most beautiful waterfall ever and ate at a restaurant right across from the waterfall. I don't think I have ever seen anything as beautiful as what we have been seeing in the mountains here. We climbed even higher and up top wa s a playground with all old things like bridges to cross and chair like thing that ride along cables over big drops in the ground. very scary and i couldn't keep track of all the kids i was so afraid they would trip and fall off the mountain. there was no railings and very high drops. The kids had a blast and uncle Leo trapped Joe on one of the cable chairs in the middle of the cable. It was quite funny actually when the rest of us came upon Joe screaming for Uncle Leo hanging in the middle of nowhere. We helped him get down and he thought it was funny also.
After we came down from that mountain, we traveled around the other side of the mountain by a bus that Stephanies family hired (forgot to mention that) to an old Tea Village. We ate at a restaurant where everything was made from tea. We ate deep fried tea leaves and meat made with tea, tea soup, tea oil noodles. many dishes and of course fresh tea. It was a wonderful day. Stephanies fanily has really gone all out to make this a special trip for us. I don't know how I will ever say thank you enough.
Today we will be going to Stephanies uncles Noodle restaurant for Beef Noodle. Then we will go to Taipei 101 which is the tallest building in the world. It is mostly a mall with many food places and you can ride the fastest elevator in the worls to the top. Then we will go to Stephanies grandmothers house for a traditional taiwanese family meal. I can't wait this is going to be so much fun.

BEAUTIFUL!....

Yesterday we took the train into the mountains to visit an old mining town. We were so high up we were in the clouds on the mountain peaks. The view was so breathtakingly beautiful. We were right by the ocean so we could see the mountains arouns us and the ocean. I wish I could get the pictures to the computer right now, but can't. As soon as I can I will try to get some pictures up. The kids are getting along really good and having lots of fun together. We also went to the Modern Toilet Diner where you sit on toilet seats and eat off of tables made out of bathtubs. The hotpots were in mini toilets and the glasses were urinals. It was really fun.
Speaking of toilets I have been very lucky finding places with a regular toilet to use. Usually assigned to handicap but i was using them. Well yesterday my luck ran out out and I did indeed have to use a squat toilet. It was just as hard as it looks but i managed without peeing all over my self.
we visited a hotspot where the kids like to hang out. a shopping place that stephanie goes with her friends. thery had dozens of those funny picture taking machines and we had a blast all of us taking silly pictures. it was really fun.
i feel like i'm cutting everything short, but everyone is waiting for me.
talk to you later!

AIT

Yesterday we had our appointment at AIT which is the American Institute in Taiwan. They give us the final go ahead to take Rayanna out of Taiwan and give her a visa to America and everything went well. Today we returned to AIT to get her Passport and all the very important documents stapled together and sealed in a brown envelope to not be opened until we give it to customs in America. They will go through it and verify who she is and that all documents are origional and official and allow her into America as a US Citizen! So until we get back to LA we guard it with our life.
Yesterday we had our second very fancy meal with Stephanies family. It was so good, the food was all traditional dishes from the north of China. They have been such wonderful hosts and so thankful to us. We are so thankful to them for being so wonderful to us! The food was so fancy, most of it was unrecognizable, and we were all very brave to try it. Joe and Jesse did so well. I was really impressed with Joe who has been tring and eating everything from grilled whole squid to duck beek and brains. yes folks, duck beek and brains. Oh and don't forget the Duck and Pig blood. Both the girls of course loved all the food and Rebecka missed it and really made up for it. She couldn't get enough of the Duck Blood. That was one of the few things I couldn't get past my lips, but most everything else was very good and sometimes surprisingly so. Looks can be decieving.
Today we are going to Snake Alley and the Toilet Diner where you sit on toilets and eat out of miniature toilet bowls. sounds like fun, especially the soft serve chocolate ice cream.
This morning before we went to AIT, we went back to the orphange to go to Rayannas school to meet her teachers and classmates. It was very touching, her teachers were crying and her best friend couldn't let her go. They were both very upset and I had a very hard time holding back my tears. Especially when her teacher told me how thankful she was to us for adopting her and the wonderful opportunities she will have. We also went to see Rebecka's teacher and she was so happy to see "Ai-Ai" She also told me how thankful she was to us for adopting her and said Rebecka changed alot and looked very healthy and happy. And she also said she was "Nicer" Hmmmm.. I wonder what that meant.
OH, and Rayanna told Stephanie to tell us, especially Joe to call her Rayanna not Xiao-Mei. Imagine that! I almost cried. Joe insists on Calling then Ai-Ai and Xiao-Mei. He has always called Rebecka Ai-Ai. I told them it will be special from thier older brother when they get older that he calls them by thier origional names.
Sorry again I am so short on time. I wish I could tell all the details but we are off again to explore some more. Thank God for Stephanie, she has been with us and the best tour guide ever. Have I mentioned how horribly terrably upset I am going to be to leave her.
talk to you all soon,
Love all of us!

She's ours!!!!

hello everyone. we picked up Rayanna yesterday and it has been going very well. She is very cute and not as shy as we had thought. Rayanna and Rebecka are getting along wonderfully and holding hands all the time. AWe have been very busy doing lots of stuff and sorry I have not updated my blog. I ams hort on time now also but wanted to post a few pictures. they do tell a thousand words. I'll try to write more soon, seems we are on the go 16 hours a day...LOL

WE'RE HERE!

Hello Everyone. We made it to Taiwan. The flight didn't seem to be as long as it was the last time, but we were all greatful to land when we finally did. We had no trouble at all getting through immigration and getting our luggage. Very beat up luggage, missing wheels and and a few rips and tears, but at least it was all there. And packing neatly was a waste of time, I think they rifled through all the bags. When we got through with that and entered the main airport lobby, our driver was right there holding a sign with our mane on it. We felt very VIP...LOL.
Our hotel is quite a bit different from where we stayed last time, but the Ceaser Park was a bit out of our budget this time. The Feeling Hotel was more in our budget. It's very small and not nearly as elegant, but the staff have been very nice. We got in at about 1200 at night and we were all excited and couldn't sleep. We went for a walk outside and found a 24 hour store where we bought some snacks. We went back to the hotel and at 2 am decided we had better get to sleep. We were all up by 530...LOL..don't ask me how after we hadn't slept for what felt like 3 days. SOOOOO at 7 am this morning we were walking the neighborhood again, we found a good bakery not too far away. (note taken). we will find that again.
Stephanie met us at the hotel at 9am.
We went to church at a place called Taipei International Church. It was an English speaking service. When we were walking the neighborhood in the morning we found the church which was a total blessing since i knew we wanted to go there but had no idea where it was. It only being 2 block away was a blessing! Some of the music was familiar to us which was nice and praising the Lord here was much like it is back home.
Right now we are at Stephanies house. Meeting her parents have been great and they are all so nice. Her brother is very shy so far and her sister is really friendly. I will be forever greatful to them for allowing Stephanie into our life. We will be going out to dinner with them tonight. It's wonderful to spent time with them and get to know them. I am using her computer right now. She will let me use her laptop and I believe the hotel has internet access, so I will try my best to update my blog. If I can figure out how to get pictures through that computer I will. OH , now that I think Of it I didn't bring my cord for the computer. Well, maybe Steph can use her camera, and get pics into her computer. I know everyone is going to want to see pictures.
Tomorrow is the big day. We will be at the orphange at 10 am to pick up Rayanna.
Wish us luck, and say lots of prayers that it will go well for everyone and that Rayanna will transition well.
Talk to you soon,
Jaclyn

Here We Goooooooo!!!!

Hi Everyone, we are just getting ready to leave and wanted to let everyone know I will try to update my blog while we are there. We are soooo excited. Joseph is coming into Tampa at 1045 tonight and our plane leaves at 7 am tomorrow morning. Say a prayer for us!
Love,
Jaclyn

A Day At The Beach With My Best Friends...

This weekend we had a great relaxing day at the beach with my friends Shona and Karen. We had great fun spending the day together. Thanks guys for a great day! Heres a picture of us in our "Surf Diva" t-shirts. Thanks Karen!

Love you guys!

Our Last Web Chat

We had our last web chat with Rayanna before we leave to go get her. She was very happy and excited. She did say she was nervous about meeting us and I told her I was nervous too. She is still very nervous about the plane ride and asked me if I could bring her her some medicine to help her from getting sick. I wonder how she knows there is such a medicine. But I did tell her I would do that and I plan on taking some dramine with me. It's going to be a long ride with a vomiting child the whole way. Hopefully that won't be the case.

The social worker was calling her Rayanna, I wonder if they have been using that name since we told them what it was. It was nice to hear them saying her name so naturally and her answering to it like it's always been hers.

OH, and they cut her hair again after I asked them not to cut it anymore the last time I talked to her.. She is still so beautiful anyway.

LEAVING IN 2 DAYS!!!!

Stephanie's Home...

Well Steph called at 8am this morning from her house in Taiwan to let us know she made it home OK. I was so happy to hear her voice and know she made the long trip and changing planes 2 times by herself OK. See you next week Steph!

Saying Goodbye to Stephanie...

We had a party for Stephanie on Sunday also. My family came over to say goodbye. Everyone has really fallen in love with her. She is such a special girl and we are all going to miss her very much. My parents really love her also and consider her a grandaughter.
We will be leaving at 3 AM tomorrow morning to take her to the airport. I think she is excited to go home and see her family. We will be leaving for Taiwan in 10 days, so saying goodbye may not be too bad this time, it will be when we leave Taiwan that will really be the heartbreaker for us. I pray that we will see her again someday. She will always be our daughter in Taiwan. She tells us she loves us as her parents and we will always be her "American Mom and Dad". She assures us she will be back to visit us someday and I hope that she will.
WE LOVE YOU STEPHANIE! LOVE MOM AND DAD

Goodbye Stephanie :-(

Yesterday our church had a going away party for Stephanie. Steph has been playing the piano at church while she was with us. Everyone was so wonderful giving her cards and well wishes, really letting her know how much they appreciated her while she was here. Thank you so much to David and Linda for making Steph feel so welcome and loved.