Happy One Year Benniversary!!!!

Check back later for post...I have been working on it, but my emotions have prevented me from finalizing the post....

Party of 2

February 17, 2009...our last day as a "Party of Two"  

A year ago, we were in Taiwan trying to take in as much of the city of Taipei as possible before meeting Cheng-Yu.  The day was cool and breezy with a bit of rain that evening.  We started our day by trying the complimentary breakfast buffet in our hotel, The Golden China Hotel.  We sampled a few things, but ended up at the Starbucks just a block away for breakfast sandwiches. We made a stop at a bank to exchange more money and then took a cab to the Taipei 101 area. 

We had lunch at a McCafe near Taipei 101.  The service was excellent and the food tastes just like our McDonald's.  The city was lively and welcoming.  It was adorned with oxen as the celebration of Chinese New Year had just come to a close.  The year of the OX, 2009 what a wonderful year!  We made pictures of several oxen as we toured the city.  I would have loved to have been there for the celebration.  I think we just missed the Festival of Lanterns.

I can remember us shopping for a small Le Sporte sac for me to use as a diaper bag.  Before we ever got out of the United States, I realized the diaper bag I had taken was NOT going to work. I used it as a carry-on bag and by the time we made it to the Alanta airport, I was ready to abandon it!  I found the perfect little sac.  It was a purplish grey with little hedgehogs on it.  And it did indeed come in handy...a best buy, I must say!

(the heavy diaper bag at airport in Japan)

Since the evening was foggy, we opted to forgo a trip to the top of Taipei 101 in hopes to visit later on during our trip for the possibility of better views.  But, we did enjoy dinner in the food court in Taipei 101.  We also sampled some goodies at a bakery in the food court.

We enjoyed our touring, but a more significant (actually, "once in a lifetime") event to come stayed in the fore fronts of our minds and emotions.

When we finally called it a night, we took a cab back to our hotel to prepare for the moment we had been waiting for.  In the hotel room, I packed my new diaper bag and prepared gifts for the next day.  We made sure our clothes were ready and prepared for a good night's sleep (maybe the last).  How do you sleep at a time like this?  With a little melatonin---that's how!  

Real

A year ago today, we left for Taiwan.  I had never been so ready to "Fly Away" in my whole life.  It was like I had been freed when our agency announced that they were ready for us in Taiwan.  As we flew around the world, it seemed surreal.  The flight is LONG.  I say prayers.  The time had finally come...we were really going to hold him, parent him!  It will soon be real! 

One year later, we are flying again.  But this time, we are on our way to the ER.   I had never been so ready to get to the hospital in my whole life.  The drive is LONG.  I say prayers.  I sit in the backseat to be near Cheng-Yu.  With a fever of 104.6, he still giggles as I talk to him.  What a precious gift of life.  It is so real!      

...Cheng-Yu is okay.  Probably a combination of an ear infection and shots from 18 month check-up.

Happy Birthday, Tori Bug!!!

Victoria's Birthday Party

As we prepared to go to Victoria's birthday party this year, my mind reflected on her party just one year ago.  In the months leading up to her birthday, I remember Madeline would often ask when Baby Ben would be coming home.  She would say things like, "Do you think he will be here before Christmas?" and "Robin, will he be here for my birthday party?"  Of course we didn't really know exactly when we would get to go to Taiwan, so I would tell her that he might not make it for Tori Bug's party in February, but that he should make it in time for her birthday (which is in April).  At Tori Bug's party last year, Cheng-Yu was definitely there in our hearts, but not in our arms.  As we enjoyed being with our family and celebrating Victoria's birthday, my thoughts were on a little one who was far away.  He was already a member of of family and I couldn't hardly wait to meet him.  The anticipation was was building and little did I know, in two days the news would come and our lives would forever change.  Exactly one week later we were on a plane to Taiwan.  Two Coffmans departed, but three returned.

My Valentine

I was reading a book to Cheng-Yu today called, A Valentine for Jesus. Standing next to me as I sat on the floor reading about giving your heart to Jesus, he proudly turned the pages as I read. At one point while I was reading, Cheng-Yu just turned his little face toward mine with a big smile.  He leaned in and gave me a sweet little kiss and wrapped his arms around my neck.  Joy exploded in my heart and I felt God's presence and love.  I was once again reminded of the One who sent me this little valentine.

We traveled to Taiwan, our son's birth country, the day after Valentine's Day 2009.  We were united with him just a few days later.  This year on Valentine's Day,  it was very cold and snowing a little bit.  We spent most of the day at home.  Cheng-Yu was sick and napped a lot.  During one of his naps, I watched him as he slept in Scott's arms and it was a beautiful sight.  I slipped outside on the porch to watch the falling snow and I could hear the voice of God in it's whispers.  I felt such peace and my mind wandered back in time to the day we first held Cheng-Yu.  I remember his first nap in my arms.  My heart was full with contentment and all the trying times experienced while waiting for a moment like this vanished so quickly with those sweet sleeping sounds from my son.