JUNIOR'S JOURNEY HOME: 2009-03-01

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Big Boy Stuff

I have been traveling a ton. I left last Monday early early and did not get back until Friday at 8:40. Now I leave here again in a couple of hours go to Atlanta turn around tomorrow pm and then fly right back out to Orlando again on Tuesday am where I will be until Thursday night. The last time I went only for two days Akins wet his bed every night and got in trouble at school. This being such a long stint and so many back to back I sat him down and asked him to tell me about his feelings. He told me he was mad and it made him feel like a "bad guy". He is obsessed with the bad guys - African rebels. Nearly every movie, story, or whatever he asks if the people are bad guys. I think he finds it unsettling that the "bad guys" in America can not be seen, thus preferring Africa where at least you know who they are. In any event our talk seemed to help. He and Lorea had a good week with only one bed wet night and no trouble at school. Now if only we can make it through to this Thursday we should be in the home stretch!

Oh and my first parent teacher conference delivered rave reviews. He is on target or above average. They refer to him as the papa bear with the little kids as he enjoys teaching and helping them. He is social and outgoing and freely asks questions when he does not understanding something or why? They also thought his age was spot on despite his height. All in all it was a great report. In the fall he will go to pre-K at the elementary school and will get to ride the bus. Which he is so looking forward to. We're pretty proud of our boy!

Karen's Story

Gosh! Where to begin! Karen wants to adopt two children. She has been open to older children and both genders. After not getting a referral for a long time. Karen even applied in Ethiopia and Lesotho thus holding applications in three countries trying to broaden the options. Still no referral. Finally, Karen found Ishamel and asked about him. He is 9 years old and she has fallen in love. Still - Karen waits on a second referral. Still she holds applications in all three countries. The thought of making Ishamel wait while waiting for another referral has Karen in knots so she has made travel plans and is leaving to get Ishamel on August 23, 2007 and will likely have to make another trip for a second child! Karen has been my sounding board throughout these past few months. We got our referrals at about the same time and began holding each other together via telephone. Hang in there Karen!

Patricia's Story

This woman obviously has the patience of Job. She has waited 2 1/2 years for a child often feeling like she has been forgotten about. Finally, she got the referal for little Alomiza. After all this time and a communication failure she thought this child had been returned home. Later, it was confirmed that Alomiza is still at the house. Patricia hopes to bring her home in September but does not have specific plans yet as due to all of the waiting some of the paperwork has expired. We are all holding on to Alomiza coming home before fall!

July 19, 2007 - The Other Kids and Families

Needless to say international adoption is not an esay process. For the kids they often wait and wait. For the parents they often wait and wait! The only thing to keep everyone sane is each other. In the house there were reportedly 29 kids as of May 2007. The kids keep each other sane they play and learn together. The older kids are harder to place and often wait longer. The older kids seem mature and responsible beyond their years and are often seen caring for the smaller children. It seems to be natural and loving. Several familes are adopting more than one child so there are fewer familes. The familes stay sane by staying in contact through yahoo groups on line and the phone. By working together we learn. Without each other the process is maddening, complicated, confusing and very frustrating. There is little information provided and it is very infrequent.

July 26, 2007 - 12 day countdown!

Twelve more days until flight day! I'm starting to get anxious. I think with all of the frustrations and bad information around passports it was hard for me to "trust" that I was really going to bring Junior home. I now have tickets in hand and I'm goin'!

Heather shot off a short email today and while her arrival in Monrovia did not go exactly according to plan she did get to see the kids briefly - and she got to tell them their Mommies loved them and were coming soon - she wrote (VAL - JUNIOR WAS ALL SMILES!) I can not even explain how this made me feel and now I am really ready!

July 27, 2007 - 11 days and I can't sit still!

Unfortunately, no news from Heather today. All of us waiting families were hoping for an update from her and possisbly some photos! The mix up on her travel included not having reservations booked at the hotel where Internet is available so the communication from her is probably going to be limited. With Independance Day celebrations now complete she may be able to get better accomodations. We are all hoping for this anyway!

Yesterday, July 26th was the official Independence Day holiday Liberia was to celebrate its independence anniversary with something of a light show when Monrovia's street lights were to be turned on for the first time in 15 years, officials said on Wednesday.

Here's to PEACE, FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY in Liberia!