Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Sisters

Hello all,


Megan and Chloe are loving being sisters!  Our family is adjusting well, and made it through Christmas!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

December update part 2

Streets of Taipei
Many 7 Elevens!!
Back home!
These are just a few of what we have.  Will update more later.

Is it December already??

Hello all,

It is amazing that two months have gone by.  Megan is an amazing part of our family and fits in so well.   Ever since we got home, she has done great adjusting and adapting.   She loves to follow her sister around!  In fact, she started walking one day and by the end of the week, she was only walking, no crawling.  Now she is practically running to keep up with Chloe.

We finally got all our pictures of our trip and here is a quick view of them.  Enjoy!!

Chloe on the plane to Taipei.  Mommy and Chloe at a great breakfast buffet in Taipei



Daddy and Chloe at the computer in Taipei


Tainan, Taiwan.  On the way to Megan's orphanage

At Megan's orphanage

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

More pictures from Taiwan

Megan is doing great!  We all enjoyed time this week getting closer to each other and loving each other.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Thurday going home with alot of travel

Thursday began with Megan feeling better.  Did I mention she has molars coming in right now on top of the stress, adjustment, and poop issues?  She is doing great with all of it going on.  Chloe is also dealing with it well.  We went out last night and bought her whatever toy she wanted at the mall. 

Enjoyed our last buffet....will miss them.

Megan loves to eat off our plates!

Did a quick trip to the park ( very hot this morning).  Got a lunch of Taiwan dumplings, tomato soup, and other assortment of tasty items.

Had a last look at the city from the garden on the roof of our hotel.(20  floors), and took taxi an hour to airport.

Found some great decorations for Megan's room at a shop, and had the long flight home.  Megan and Chloe slept almost the whole flight!

Grandparents were waiting for us at airport, and we were all glad to be back together  ... PLUS 1 !

Time to rest.  Great, amazing, blessed, God - led trip.  Would never want to give back these days! 

Our family is now complete...and ready to be happy together for a lifetime!

Wednesday in the park

Wednesday began early again.  We have figured out Megan's sleeping patterns finally, and are sleeping pretty good now.  Still, getting up around 5 am.  Early job of constipation duty for us all before breakfast.

We found out that there was a park within walking distance of the hotel.  It was great to soak up some of the local sites....Taiwan style gazebos, alot of food shops, and the many Chinese advertisement signs that are lining every street .  Chloe found a playground and had a lot of fun.

Megan takes an afternoon nap, so most of our days have that keeping us around the hotel.

Got VISA, and are ready to go tomorrow.

Caring for both girls is taking up all sightseeing time.  The main priority is them and getting us safely home.  Anyways, we like the local, fun activities better!

Most nights we fall asleep very early.  Really tired most days.

Tuesday--VISA and health issues

Tuesday began early again.  We had an appointment with immigration for 8 am.  Paperwork was in good order.  Process lasted about an hour and a half.

Megan pretty cranky at appointment and feel asleep while being walked and calmed down.

The afternoon was spent trying to get Megan to be healthier.  She had the worst case of constipation, and we spent 2 hours trying to help her go.  After that, we were all pretty drained.


Spent the rest of the day and evening giving her foods to get her more regular, trying to keep her and Chloe ( who is getting pretty tired of the trip) happy, and going out to look for more need items for Megan.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Arrival of Megan!

Good morning all,

We are pleased to tell you that the Schaefer family is 4 - - - officially!

Sleeping Sunday night was, of course difficult.  Sarah and I remember all to well the nervous feelings we had that kept us awake alot. 

Woke up finally at 6 am.  Had breakfast....actually eating somewhat this time around.

Took taxi to St. Lucy Center and arrived a half hour early.   Very pretty center!  We were taken into the main room for meetings, and were asked for the clothes Megan would wear today.  Sarah gave them one of the 12 months clothes we had.  Nanny came back and said that they did not fit!  Our baby Megan was in size 18 months!  Luckilly, we had one 18 month old outfit.

Spent time getting alot of info on Megan, and then met her!  She was a bit overwhelmed...and cried.  Really did not want to see Daddy.  After about 15 minutes and it was just us, and the nanny, Megan calmed down.  Was willing to be held by Mommy and Daddy.

Had lunch at center with very tasty dumplings.  Taxi to train station at 12 pm

Train to Taipei was very soothing to Megan.  We enjoyed spending time bonding.

Arrived in Taipei and found out our hotel was right next to train station.

Ate comfort food , Mc Donalds for dinner.

Daddy had to go out and find clothes for baby Megan.  After help from very nice hotel staff, Daddy found some clothes.

Sleeping was ok. Megan was awake and fussy at 4 am. 

She is adjusting well.  Eats great.  Working with us on getting a different schedule for eating and sleeping.

Love to all

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Update day 2

Sunday began with a wake up call by our bodies at 3 am.  We had a nice family morning with relaxing, great breakfast ( great to have asain buffets again), walking around the outside of a aviation museum and enjoying a nice day.

Train to Tainan was at noon.  Very nice and fast.  Arrive at 1:20 and took a 30 minute bus ride to hotel.

Hotel is 5 star...and amazing!!

Jetlag getting the best of us caused us to stay close to room until sleeping early at 7.

Tomorrow is Gotcha day! 

Saturday, September 24, 2011

wow the jetlag!

Hello all,

The airport and flight was very smooth.  We arrived in Taipei at 6 am.  Through customs fast and at hotel ( near airport) by 6:45.  Since we are around 40 minutes from downtown, we had to deal with jetlag more this trip.  Normally, we just go out.   But, Sarah slept all morning, and I fell asleep at 1 pm.  Girls went to bed at 6 pm. and I am up writing at 11 pm.

Chloe and I had fun in the pool.  Good idea to bring swimming clothes.

Chloe's dvd player was a great idea and she is using it alot.

Turned on tv and found the Angel game on live!!  It was in Chineese, and I think that they were showing it cause Hideki Matsui played for the other team.  Wild going across the globe and finding the Angel game.  They were losing in the 9th inning .

Hotel is nice....weather is overcast most of the time....with wind.

Leave for Tainan by train at 11 am.  In Tainan a couple hours later. 

Very excited....when we have sleep :)  Can't believe we have 36 hours until going to St. Lucy!!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Crib to be filled soon!

Hello all,

So here is entry # 1 of Megan's journey.  I looked back on what I wrote the day of traveling to get Chloe.  Much different trip....same emotions.  I have very vivid memories of how I felt the travel day then and today.  Pretty much the same.  All things are set and ready.  We are trying to keep busy before leaving tonight for LAX at 9 pm.  Chloe got to go to school today and had a good day there.  Thanks to Sarah, we have plenty of activities for Chloe before she has her new playmate, Megan!  We will arrive Saturday morning at 6 am, hopefully will be able to check in to hotel, and maybe see Taipei.

Will update as soon as we can.   We are also using facebook, so look for us there, too.


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Family reflections


This is one of my favorite songs!  It is appropriate to post today....2 days away from leaving.

Sending this out to all men leading their families!

Dedicated to Sarah, Chloe, and Megan!

I love you !





Thursday, September 15, 2011

Journeys - - - - learning about our Heavenly Father

As we prepare for our trip next week, here are some thoughts.

Our heavenly  Father is loving us every second of every day!  Sometimes, we need to sit and think about how kind and loving He is.  He is with us always...and has a plan for lives that are beyond our understanding.  Many times when we look back, we see how amazing the plan was....and still is.

In 2006, our little Jenna being taken home to Jesus opened a door to start the journey for our girl Chloe.

In 2009, our selling and buying of different houses opened a door to having room for another child.

In 2009, meeting with the head of our agency opened the door to start the journey for our girl Megan.

Being able to do all of this on one income.

Having  guidance from the Holy Spirit to make these decisions. 

God is truly amazing and always present.  Take some time to look back and see His hand in your lives. 

And the best is yet to come when we all are together at Jesus' feet praising Him.

Thanks for following us on the journey!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Happy birthday to our little girl!

Today, September 6, is our little girl Megan's birthday.  We are sad not to be with you, but pray that you had a fun, love-filled day!  We will go out for some ice cream and celebrate your blessed day!  We are coming soon!!!!

We love you very much and miss you,

Mommy, Daddy, and sister Chloe

Friday, August 19, 2011

Traveling to Taiwan!

We got travel dates today!  We will leave California September 24 and get Megan on the 26th.  The same day, we will take the high speed train back to Taipei for a government appointment on the 27.  We plan on leaving on the 29.  Very smooth and quick trip....just like we thought!  We praise and thank God for His blessing!


Saturday, July 9, 2011

Getting closer!

Hello all.  Megan's paperwork has been in the Taiwan courts for about a month.  Praying it will be soon to travel.  Here are new pictures.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

New pictures of Chloe and Megan

These are the most recent pictures of Megan


Graduating from Mommy and Me class.  Off to Kindergarten!