Our Forever Family Day!

Tori's social workers 

Mr. Yeh our most Fabulous guide in Taiwan. We refer to him as Yeh-Yeh(grandpa)

To start off by yesterday was our visit with Tori. We met at the Facility where her govt. social works out of where we met in Jan. Tori came running in and jumped in my arms and screamed Jie Jie (big sister). Got my quick hugs and kisses from her and Tatumn became her focus. I was soooo happy to see her excited to see her sister also. Tori is so beautiful and so full of life. We went to a room where we visited with Tori and the girls played with jacks and colored 3D velvet posters and I was able to get more information on Tori's family and learn more about Tori. We did receive our Final Ruling (Adoption Complete) yeserday!!!!!!!!!!!
Tori then wanted to go out and about and asked to go back to our hotel. We got to the hotel around 4:30 and 5 mins later she asked to get back into the infamous bathtub. So she did. After that we headed to of course McDonalds and then back to the Center by 7pm. Tori started to shut down on the way back and we knew it was because she wanted to stay with us. Mr. Yeh tryed to explain and comfort her by telling her we will be back in the morning to pick her up and she will forever be with Momma. She was not having any part of it. Once again I had to break away from her and leave her sobbing her eyes out. It was awful. One more day and we will be together forever.
Lindsay my case worker from Gladney and Gongzhan from Gladney also were with me to enjoy a glimpse of what bringing a family together forever means.... It was so great to finally meet both of them.

Forever Family day! 6-1-2011
What this will mean for her is a family to guide her, teach her, but most importantly love her unconditionally forever. We are so greatful to Cathwell and her Birthfamily for allowing our family to do just that!

We dropped Lindsay and Gongzhan off at the local airport and headed to the center to pick Tori up at 10am. She came in running and gave me a big hug and kiss. She knew today was forever!
After a liitle bit we headed off to Starbucks for some much needed coffee.... getting up at 4 am is a killer. Then we headed to the Taipei Childrens Recreation Center where we enjoyed the bumper cars, ferris wheel, train, merry go round and more. After we were done there Tori was ready to go to the hotel and play in the bathtub once again.... By 1:30 pm we were back in and the girls enjoyed a few.... bounces on the bed.... get it out here I say. As we speak Tatumn is crashed 3pm and Tori is watching Pink Panther. What more can a Mom ask for a most perfect day with 2 of my daughters.
Tomorrow I will meet Tori's birthmom. By myself. Mr. Yeh will take the girls to the park. We will head out for dinner shortly and call it a most enjoyable day. We Love you Tori soooooooo very much!
 

Our visit with Tori Chih Hua May 31,2011

What a most wonderful Day!!!!!!!!1Heading out as we speak to get Tori FOREVER!!!!!!!!9am.......
Will write more tonight. Had to share our new beautiful daughter who loves her Jie Jie Tatumn!!!!!

We Made It!

 Taipei 101

 office buildings/shopping buildings by the hotel.

 view from the 88th floor

We survive the marathon of flying. Got to Agora Hotel around midnight. I managed to get all unpacked and into bed by 2 am. Ended up waking at 4:40am and then again 7:30am> Headed out around 9:30 to Taipei 101.It was a pretty clear day to see things from the 88th floor. We did not stay too long Tatumn was weirded out with the heights. Got my cell phone loaded with more minutes. Then went to eat at Chili's. Taxied to the Handicraft Market and then back for a nap.Around 6pm we went to the A Mart to grab snacks and such for Tori when she gets here on Wed. Then we taxied to Macaroni Grill which moved further away into the business district. No longer 10 min walk from the hotel. Great to see other areas of Taipei. We have figured out in Taiwan they eat and shop!!!!! Tomorow we visit with Tori into the evening and then she goes back to the foster family and Wed around 9 am she will be ours forever!!!!!!!!

Trey's 7th Birthday

It is truely amazing to see my little guy grow in so many ways. He is the best guy ever.Quite theMama'  boy. We were able to go see Kung Fu Panda II the night before my trip to Taiwan as a family. Very touched by the adoption subject they used in it. Trey became an Independent Reader on his birthday at school. He read several books to his assistant Principal and they both made a phone call home to tell us the great news......He was hairsprayed with confetti for the milestone he made with his reading He wanted this so badly through school. We already knew he was reading independently, but needed that recognition from his peers at school. Trey will go to the 2nd grade after all. His teacher and I feel pretty confident at the end of this school year his being behind in reading a little is totally due to language transition and would be totally bored in everything else if kept behind in 1st. So koodos to my Trey.

We celebrated his birthday as a family and he loves his DS.....

Random Fun Pics!

They still love each other>>>>>You can see the naughty still in Tessa. Would not have her any other way!

Nothing New! Oh Yeah There Is!!!!!!!!

Well, to retract this blog post I never published....
WE ARE OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On our way to bring sweet Tori home for GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My nerves are shot.... but it is a good thing... Leaving Bob with the other 3 at home for a few weeks.... Well he will survive.... Tatumn is traveling with.... And I have a huge surprise for both girls which neither know about until later being told in Taiwan...
So hope everyone enjoys our Journey to Tori................................


Tori had her first court date on the 8th of March. Her Civil Ruling came on the 28th of April and who knows when her Final Ruling is or was but we are going to get her....
A very happy 44th Birthday for me on the 6th to have Tori Chih Hua Henke forever..









Just a quick note to say nothing is new with the adoption of Tori. We have heard nothing about a court date yet.... We suspect we could hear something shortly after Chinese New Year!!! It has been 3 wks since I have been home from Taiwan and feel a tad bit antsy about getting her home.... Could be a while longer I am sure.... Just the thought of leaving her crying when I left her was the last thing in my mind when I left....
I Miss Her!!!!