Way too much fun........

Okay everyone this was just way too much fun. We have 2 parks fairly close to our home and always wanted to bike over there since they are so close. We couldn't decide whether or not we should get a bike trailer so we could eventually pull two children or not. Since I would probably be the one taking the kids to the park more often, the bike seat seemed to be a better option.We purchased the bike seat from Wal-Mart for around $30.00 and Andrew had it installed in no time. It is made by Bell and I was rather impressed with the bike seat shell itself which seems very well made. Olivia has loved it every single time and we have been to the park as often as possible. She keeps her helmet on and knows exactly where we are headed every time she is lifted into the seat. When I ask her if she is having fun or if she is doing okay back there she yells back, "SURE." It's hilarious!!

Annual GOTCHA DAY photo and more..........

My posts are so few and far between that I just wanted to share this with you all even though it was taken on April 7th. Our annual tradition at the Tang house is to take a family picture in celebration of our GOTCHA DAY. Olivia was very cooperative for the photographer but still easily distracted once she saw the fire engine red toy car to climb into. After the photo shoot, we enjoyed a delicious lunch out together and Olivia was able to enjoy her favorite treat, ice peam as she puts it. I can't wait to add one more little munchkin to the family photo soon!

I also wanted to share a milestone that occurred with Olivia last week. I went into her bedroom on Sunday morning and she said, "Mom, oLIVia, oLIVia." I have been working on trying to get her to pronounce the "L" in her name since she has always said Ovia. She was now able to pronounce the L in her name which actually is not an age expected ability for toddlers at this age. Then to make the moment even more grand, she spells out her name not missing a single letter. I was elated and hugged and kissed her till she said, "Mom stop!" How could I help myself. Life is good over here!

4 countries in one household.....why not!

I have been dying over here wanting everyone to know that our paperwork was mailed to Taiwan on Tues. April 17th!!! I just haven't had the time to blog it yet. Let me back up a bit though first. I was hoping and praying that our paperwork could be mailed on April 7th, commemorating Olivia's special day. Olivia's special day was suppose to be just that, special for her alone. I didn't realize that our home study needed to be translated first before it was received in Taiwan, no one shared this with us. I had asked if the pictures in our photo album needed to be translated as well as our dear birth parent letter but was told no. I found out a week later when all the signatures were needed on the home study that now it would need to be translated. I don't know if I also shared this with you all but we are the first family in WI to go through Taiwan's Program B. Therefore, our agency seems to be learning right along with us. :) We should hear in about 2 weeks if everything made it to Taiwan and a month for a LD (list date). Our social worker here will email the coordinator in Taiwan every three months asking if any birth parents have seen our file and I pray the birth parents will be quided by God's will for this child.

I have learned so much during my struggles of our gathering everything needed for our second adoption. Most importantly, that God has provided me with just the right amount of daily grace needed to endure each task required to get to the next step in this tangled web of paperwork. So many times I was asking for this and for that all at once (some of which were so far out of my reach and control) that I had to learn to ask for only what I really needed at the time. I have also learned more about being consistent in God's word and his teachings. There is such a LONG list of stuff I could be doing around the house here but I have learned that spending time with God produces so much more energy and fullfillment for my life rather than concerning myself with which job in the house I should tackle next. I have been so blessed to have a sister that encouraged my mom and I to do a fantastic bible study together called "Living Free" by Beth Moore. Through three way calling we complete a section every Sunday evening together now for about 2months. It has made us all stronger in our faith walk and has brought our relationship to a higher level.

I will keep everyone updated on our progress as we hear. Congrats Stefanie on your DTC date!! I am excited to share the same news with everyone very soon! Blessings to you all!

GOD'S GIFT TO US ON APRIL 7TH, 2005

Two years ago today, we were finally able to end the longing, and anticipation we felt when Olivia was placed in our arms on April 7th, 2005. I can feel all this emotion as if it was yesterday. Were we really parents? Are we ready for this? We had two weeks to prepare everything we needed for our trip to China to adopt Olivia and honestly we were pretty prepared for new parents. What we weren't prepared for was the enormous, indescribable feeling of love, joy and peace you had for this child that was named for you. God's perfect plan was right in front of us. We are celebrating the day God joined us to be a family and we invite you to relive this amazing journey with us.

THIS PHOTO WAS THE FIRST TIME OLIVIA WAS HELD IN HER DADDY'S ARMS. OLIVIA WAS CRYING FROM THE MOMENT SHE WAS HANDED TO US BY HER CARETAKER. I WAS SO CAUGHT UP IN THIS MOMENT THAT I THINK ANDREW HAD TO REMIND ME TO PUT THE CAMERA DOWN A FEW TIMES SO THAT I COULD REACH FOR THE BOTTLE AND HOPEFULLY HELP SOOTHE OLIVIA.


AHHHH, IT WORKED! POOR DAD HAD THE TOUGH PART. ALL OLIVIA WANTED AT THIS POINT WAS SUSTENANCE. SHE DIDN'T CARE WHERE IT'S COMING FROM JUST AS LONG AS SOMEONE WAS SUPPLYING IT. LITTLE DID SHE KNOW THAT WE WOULD BE THE ONES PROVIDING FOR HER EVERY NEED FROM THIS POINT ON. HOW INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE WE ALL WERE THROUGH GOD'S GRACE AND
PROTECTION THAT HE CHOSE US TO BE OLIVIA'S MOM AND DAD FOR LIFE.

HERE IS A PICTURE OF US RIDING BACK TO THE HOTEL IN CHANGSHA WITH OUR PRECIOUS LITTLE ONE. I HAD WONDERED HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN SINCE SHE WAS FED LAST SINCE SHE DRANK 4 OUNCES OF HER BOTTLE IN LESS THAN TEN MINUTES. I COULDN'T HOLD ALL THE EMOTION IN AT THIS POINT IN OUR JOURNEY. THE FLOOD GATES OPENED WHEN I SAW HOW INCREDIBLY CONTENT SHE WAS SLEEPING IN MY ARMS AND THAT SHE WAS COMING HOME WITH US, HOW SURREAL! GOD HAD MEANT ALL OF THIS FOR US. MY HEART WAS OVERCOME WITH THANKFULNESS.





THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN OUR HOTEL ROOM THE NEXT DAY. WE QUICKLY DISCOVERED THAT A PILL BOTTLE WOULD BE THE MAIN DISTRACTION FOR OLIVIA WHEN SHE WOULD GET EMOTIONAL OR FUSSY. IT WORKED ALMOST EVERY TIME. WE HAD TO TEACH HER HOW TO SHAKE IT WHICH SHE PICKED UP IN NO TIME AT ALL AND DID SHE HAVE A BLAST! HER PERSONALITY WAS STARTING TO UNFOLD SO QUICKLY. IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO SEE A SMILE ON HER FACE. OLIVIA BONDED TO US PRETTY WELL WITHIN THE FIRST 24HRS. OF RECEIVING HER. WE WERE JUST IN AWE OF HER!!

THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTO MOMENTS IN OUR HOTEL ROOM. OLIVIA SMILED SO EASILY AND SEEMED VERY CONTENT WITH US. SHE HAD A HEARTY APPETITE THROUGHOUT MOST OF OUR TRIP. SHE WAS A PRETTY ADVENTUROUS EATER TOO. SOUP WAS A BIG HIT AS WELL AS THE BABY FRUIT WE GAVE HER. I REMEMBER READING THAT PART OF OLIVIA'S HISTORY STATED THAT SHE WAS FEED TWICE DURING THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING. SINCE THIS WAS NOT GOING TO WORK OUT TOO WELL, I DECIDED I WOULD MIX RICE CEREAL IN WITH HER FORMULA TO SATISFY HER THROUGH THE NIGHT. AND IT WORKED AMAZINGLY WELL!!! (THANKS TO CARRIE'S MOM)

THIS IS ALSO ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR TWO REASONS: COULD THERE BE ANYTHING SWEETER THAN A LITTLE GIRL'S DADDY HOLDING HER WITH SUCH A BIG SMILE ON BOTH OF THEIR FACES SIGNIFYING THAT, OF COURSE, IT WAS ALWAYS MEANT TO BE. I LOVED THIS IMAGE SO MUCH I HAD IT COPIED ONTO A COFFEE MUG FOR ANDREW FOR HIS FIRST FATHER'S DAY. SECONDLY, IT IS TRULY A RARE MOMENT WHEN YOU SEE ANDREW SMILING FOR A PICTURE AS HE REMEMBERS HIS DAD REALLY ENJOYING TO TAKE MANY A PICTURE WHEN HE WAS YOUNG OF WHICH ANDREW SAYS HE GOT TIRED OF SMILING. (DON'T WORRY DAD; IT'S WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD DO).

THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN AS WE WERE HEADING BACK TO THE AIRPORT TO FLY ONTO HONG KONG. WE WERE SO EXCITED TO SHOW ANDREW'S AUNTS AND UNCLES OUR PRECIOUS LITTLE OLIVIA. SHE IS JUST SO PEACEFUL HERE IN MY ARMS WITH HER LITTLE HAND UNDERNEATH HER CHEEK. I AM THE LUCKIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD!!

THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN ON THE FAMOUS RED COUCH WHERE ALL THE ADOPTED CHILDREN GATHER FOR A FINAL PICTURE. THESE GIRLS NOW HAVE THE GIFT OF A MOMMY, A DADDY AND FOR SOME, SIBLINGS TO LOVE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THESE GIRLS WERE GIVEN THE MOST AMAZING GIFT OF ALL: A CHANCE TO KNOW AND LOVE THEIR HEAVENLY FATHER WHO HAS BESTOWED ON THEM A GIFT FAR GREATER THAN WE COULD EVER GIVE THEM. HAPPY GOTCHA DAY PINGJIANG SISTERS!!

WE LOVE YOU OLIVIA!
OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOREVER. XXXOOO

Learning to share is tough for toddler girls..........

These pictures were taken the weekend my sister was visitng. We were fortunate that we were able to all come together with my yonger brother's family while Traci was visiting. Here is Olivia with her cousin, Alyssa. Alyssa is 6 mons. older that Olivia and was also adopted from China. She is such a happy little girl who loves her older brother Austin. Unfortunately, the girls don't get together that often since both household times/work schedules are different but it would sure be nice for the girls. I love to see them together. They seem to enjoy playing together when they can remember to share. The adults were all playing a very fun computer game called Wei when we heard some crying coming from the bedroom. Apparently, Olivia had something Alyssa wanted and the tug of war started. A few tears were shed for a few minutes and then before long the two of them were playing together again. Later in the evening, the girls were giving each other a ride on Alyssa's bike. Guess which one did most of the work?