March 12th, 2007 - GOTCHA DAY!

COME HERE BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We woke @ 8 AM, prepared for the day and went down to the main level of our hotel for our Continental (all you can eat breakfast buffet). The hotel provided this each morning and they had some American items and it was quiet delicious.

We enjoyed a nice breakfast together has a family of two for the last time. Lindsay had a little anxiety and his heart was aching because he was worried about Faith and how she would take to us. He had some concerns the last few days about the birth mom and of all she must have gone through over the last year. He has felt a special closeness to Faith's birth mom from the beginning and he was so saddened by the days events because we would soon take Faith from all she knew.

We waited in the lobby for our translator, Sally, to arrive at 9:45 AM to take us to St. Lucy's. Sally lives in Taipei and flies down with each family to take them to St. Lucy's on their "gotcha day". She spends the time with you as you pick up baby, tour the center and have lunch. She then flies back to Taipei with you and sends you on your way as a new little family. We would meet her, spend five hours total with her and then we sent into the big world.

She arrived at 9:45 AM and as she came in the front and greeted us with a warm hug and friendly smile she looked at Lindsay and said "your daughter look like you". We both miss understood her and we thought she meant that he didn't look the same in person compared to his pictures or something. But she said no "your daughter look like you"... WOW! Lindsay was grinning from ear to ear. She had really said that Faith resembled her new daddy. SO SWEET!

Lindsay started to get emotional and tear up at this point. It was so sweet. He was full of every emotion possible. I was more ready and excited. I never once had doubts, fears nor was I nervous. I just couldn't wait to hold our baby girl.

Sally noticed Lindsay's tears and said "oh no, tears already? I can tell you are going to be a good daddy". She was so sweet and really liked Lindsay (who doesn't). My honey has a HUGE heart.

We drove for about 10 minutes and pulled up to St. Lucy's. There it was. You drive down some many small road, twisting and turning. It seems to be tucked in a nice residential area hidden a bit. Every street in the neighborhood looked similar so if you tried to find it on your own there would be no way.

We were dropped off on the side and headed up a flight of stairs. St. Lucy's reminds Lindsay and I of a hotel (like "Motel 6"). There are two levels formed in almost a square and their are steps on one side to go up or down and then in the middle as well. In the middle is a beautiful court yard like area for the children to come out and play.

Sally lead us into the waiting room, which is prepared for all families coming to pick up their little ones. They have one family a day so they can really focus on you and give you the time and privacy you need. There was a small play area for the little one's, in-case families have other children that come along and need to be entertained while mom and dad great the new family member. They have a nice leather sectional and beautiful lullaby music playing. Tissues of course and tea. Sally was gracious enough to film the whole thing for us on our camcorder and we took a few pictures as we waited and got prepared.