Journey to Kerrigan: 2012

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Dinner @ a Chinese Family Establishment

Tonight we had a wonderful gathering at a mom and pop restaurant. The other family (Smiths) that was there to adopt, Trena , Holly , the Dunn's and their families as well as Ashley, Sara, and Christel all gathered for a fine celebration on the last night before we made our way to Taipei for our AIT appointment. It was the last time we would see some of them. Celebrate we did ! The middle of the tables spun like a lazy susan. They placed multiple dishes on it then you spun the table to get access to all the goods! Outstanding idea :) They brought out a spicy dish that had Keagan and I perspiring before we were done....probably took 30 minutes after we finished for my tongue to stop burning...ha. Lots of laughter and merriment. Now in Taiwan the beverages are very limited, what i mean to say is you cant just drink the tap water. If you ask for water it comes bottled or tea it comes in small child cup sizes. So if you eat a spicy Taiwanese dish you must simply wait as your tongue catches on fire :)

WONDERFUL NIGHT FULL OF WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP!

Joshua!!!!

We Love Joshua!

Bottle from Auntie Ashleigh

Adam and Ava were adorable walking and holding hands!

meeting Birth Mother

This morning we met Kerrigan's birth mother and grandfather. Kelly and I were somewhat anxious about this....I mean what do you say...how does that conversation go ? We met at a McDonald s about a 45 minute scooter ride for them from their home. Scooters are the most common form of transportation in Kaohsiung...hundreds on the road at any given time. They came in and sat down with us. Very sweet people, happy to see little Kerrigan...both held her and cuddled her. Kerrigan's birth mother was 16 at the time she became pregnant and knew she could not care or provide for her. She wanted Kerrigan to have a better life than she could provide. Watching these two with her you could see they both loved her. Trena and Ashley both from the house of Hope were there as interpreters. The birth mother started to hand Kerrigan back to me and Trena said...they are ok with you holding her....and she said she wanted to watch me hold her. Of course I was happy to do so ( I loved kissing those little cheeks). The birth mother smiled and said she was happy to see Kerrigan with us and knew we loved her. It gave her peace knowing Kerrigan was going to a family with a mother, father and brothers and sisters. Unsure of what to say...what would offend or seem awkward....however it is true most real communication is non-verbal, I could tell they wanted the best for Kerrigan and were grateful for us loving her. I told Trena to describe to them where we live , 10 acres of woods to run and play in surrounded by farmland next to a river. That Kerrigan will have friends, cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all waiting on her in America. That she will have the opportunity to attend college and become anything she wishes to be.The grandfather became misty eyed at this point...I asked Trena if I had offended them...she responded no he was very happy....education is very important to the Taiwanese just not always within reach. As we said our good byes the birth mother gave us all hugs, she was very petite coming only to my chest. The grandfather shook my hand once more and we watched them go. I must be truthful....I became misty eyed myself at this point. So many emotions. To think this sweet young Chinese girl had this child she knew she could not care for and we were chosen by grace to bring her into our family. Flying half way around the world to get her and experience her culture for a short time. I believe some souls are destined to meet , some briefly some for a lifetime. Once in awhile those you meet only briefly can be every bit as profound as those you have the pleasure of knowing for a lifetime. During our adoption experience in Taiwan I must say we have had the fortune to meet those type of people !

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Noodle Shop

Today we headed down to the pool/spa area and played for a few hours before our date for lunch at the noodle shop. A nice little restaurant cafe' right off the downtown street. We went with another family here adopting from Taiwan (Smith's) , Holly (one of the owners of His Hands) and Ashley ( the young lady that sends the families pictures). They brought out an assortment of foods and spread it out all over the table, plenty for all and it was good ! Then Holly dropped us off at the salon for a Taiwanese hair wash. Now a Taiwanese hair wash includes neck and shoulder massage, hot towel treatment, scalp massage and hair wash all for a grand total of 3 dollars per person.....what a bargain. Yes Keagan and I participated...the first girl that started to rub my shoulders couldn't get her hands around my neck so she went and got one of the guys. This fellow looked like a Taiwnese Elvis and had hand strength I'm certain could crush a pool ball ! I was a times worried for the integrity of my skull...ha. All was good. They did Ava's hair like a princess...she loved the whole experience.
Tonight I think we will stay in at the hotel, enjoy the pool and eat at the buffet. Tomorrow we meet Kerrigan's birth mother and grandfather. That will be anxiety filled and I'm sure awkward but in a way nice. They are pleased she will be going to a family with siblings and lots of love to give. They know she will be going to America and feel they have made the best choice for her.

Ava has really taken to the big sister role. She just helped Kelly give her a bath and has her giggling when playing peekaboo. Kerrigan will allow Kelly or Ava to give her a bottle but not the Da da. I can however give her cereal...she has drawn her lines...ha

Momma is Loving every minute of this!!

Kerrigan and Dada

Kerrigan and Auntie Holly

Emily, Lily and Ashleigh

Someone looks sleepy

Noodle shop fun!

Kerrigan, Momma, Emily and Lily

Cheryl explaining that Ava wants to be a princess!

Happy Momma

Looks like he is up to something!

Keag is ready! His stylist gave him HIS card when we were done!! :)
Think he wanted Keag to call him for a date :) HA!

All shampooed up!

AHHH Heavenly!

Ava loved every minute of this!

Finished product!

So Cute!

Princess with her hair do :)

Kerrigan will take a bottle from Momma or Ava but that's IT!! :)

Monday, September 10, 2012

Back @ Koashung

Monday we returned to Koashung and checked back in at the Crown Plaza. We decided to explore the EDA - World mall next door. This is a 3 building multi-level complex that I believe takes up half the surface area of Taiwan ! It has a skyscraper size Ferris wheel on top. We made our way to the food court and window shopped....cause we couldn't read Chinese....so we window shopped. You know when they have the plates made up in the window that show you what they make....well that's what we have to go by. I really wanted to do the hibachi grill....I think it was a hibachi grill but was sure I couldn't communicate what I wanted ....may tomorrow...ha. So we find this one eatery that has this enormous steak platter in the window and Keagan and I decide that is for us so we order rather clumsily. When I tell her I want the steak platter she looks at me and says....um no that for 2 people to split....I said Mam I'm the size of two Taiwanese so bring me the steak platter and some A-1 :) Keagan ordered the same and Kelly ordered pasta...or so she thought ! Keag and mine was done in a pepper sauce...wheew I had to take an extra Nexium after that ! Kelly got pasta...only it had squid and multiple other sea creatures in it...ha . to be fair she did eat it and said it was good. Now the waitress made me pay before they brought the food...I guess she thought I might dine and dash. Now I'm considerably larger than most of the Taiwanese but I'm pretty sure I couldn't out run those rascals....ha.
The next stop was a mini-mart in the mother of all malls so Kelly could get some Pepsi...she was really in need of some ;) So now we are attempting to make our way back to the hotel with 20 lbs of soda, a baby and Ava in the stroller.......only we can't find an exit or read Mandarin So a 45 minute adventure begins just to find a door outside of the building. I figure if I can get outside the building I can see the enormous Ferris wheel that is in the direction of our hotel. Kelly finally in desperation friended a high school age student that was in the mall that spoke some English. he was only visiting the mall for the first time and was of limited assistance...however the young lad tried. Kelly followed him down an elevator with 50 other people crammed on it and disappeared ! Keagan , Ava and I couldn't get on before the doors closed ! So now we are separated...no cell phone and in a mall half the size of Taiwan. So I instinctively use my military training and go to high ground overlooking the floor below. Luckily a Blonde caucasian sticks out like a beacon in the night amongst the dark haired Asian crowd. We finally get fine tuned instructions from a policeman and are headed back toward our Hotel. Along the way we pass a tour group of high schoolers That all want to say hello in english...I respond with NI HOw (Chinese for hello) and they erupt in cheers and want to give me high fives...you would have thought I was a rock star.....ha
It has been a wonderful experience here...different culture and foods. The Taiwanese people are gracious and friendly. An added bonus walking around with two Asian children we are often asked how this is...then we get the opportunity to explain these two beautiful girls were orphans and we are now their forever family. They seem genuinely impressed that someone would do that....I look at my two beautiful daughters and think...how could you not ?
Ava , Keagan and Kelly are down at the pool while I blog and watch precious Kerrigan nap....I am truly a lucky man :)

Wrestling Bubby at the Hotel!!

Giggling for Momma

Ready to brush her own hair!

Dinner time!

Momma loves this!

Big Sissy!

Kerrigan has quick hands!

Sharing Daddy's soup

Momma's pasta...It really was good!

HUGE steak!

Loving her Bubby

This is on the roof of the mall across from our hotel!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Kenting...Most beautiful place on Earth!

This morning after a outstanding spread for breakfast at The hotel John and Cheryl picked us up to take a 2 hr drive a little further south to Kenting. Kenting is a beach resort town along the south China sea and the Taiwan straight. During the trip down we got to see some of the Taiwanese beauty and culture . Part of which is the seven-eleven....which are everywhere here in Taiwan--called the Seven-eleven experience!!. Not just your Slurpee served here ....oh no they have seafood balls, kimgee, seafood something on a stick, seafood balls, ect ect. I tried most of it...had no idea what it was but I liked it ! The seaweed flavored chips were interesting. The route we took ran along the coast so the scenery was great as we got closer to Kenting. The hotel we stayed at was the "Foremost" a nice little mom and pop hotel right on the night market. You walked out the front door and you were in the middle of a carnival type atmosphere with street vendors and food of all types. You could even get octopus on a stick ! Now in Taiwan the concept of sidewalks or pedestrian right of way so it was like playing frogger....only no reset if you screwed up....ha. You had to walk out in the traffic lane and dive to the side when a bus came...they wouldn't stop to avoid hitting you but the would give a courteous BEEP BEEP just to let you know you had 3 seconds to jump or depart this world:) Great fun all around.

We were able to meet Lily's mom, Grandmother and uncle and all go out to dinner. Lily and Kerrigan are only a day apart and have been @ His Hands together for the past 8 months. The girls play together and have been in many photo ops together. Lily will be residing in Alabama once back in the states...Chattanooga is about half way for each of us so we hope to get them together occasionally.

On our way back from Kenting we stopped on a mountain ridge that that overlooked the Pacific ocean...beautiful rocky coastline and deepest blue sea.

Gina we tried the bubble tea (milk tea with starch balls in it) now the first couple swigs I was unsure but it really kinda grew on you. The fruit slushy deals are my favorite. We also tried some shaved ice cream milk with fruit topping from a roadside stand( think home made ice cream ). Lots of neat new experiences ! Write more soon and hope to post more pics.