Greetings!

We designed this site in order to keep in touch with friends and family who are far away and in order to communicate with other adoptive families from around the world.

When we first started researching this wonderful way to become a family we read everything we could get our hands on. Even though there are a lot of great books out there, nothing was as informative or touching as the blogs we found by adoptees, biological parents, and adoptive families. So we are writing this blog now in hopes of returning the favor. We hope that if you are dear to us you will enjoy keeping up with our adventures. If you are someone out there involved in a part of the adoption triad we hope you will find information and comfort here and provide us with some of your own!

If you would like to get in touch with us we can be reached at: becomingafamily@gmail.com
Feel free to stop by anytime. We're happy to share our family story.

Take care,
Brian and Rosemary

Monday, March 8, 2010

Long Day

Brian is sick. Brian who is never sick is sick. The man has survived 9 years of medical training and has the immune system of an ox and he has been terribly ill for more than 12 hours. We think he has some kind of virus because he is running a fever. In case you are wondering, I don't feel great either but I definitely don't have whatever is plaguing him...yet. The timing of this is really bad because we have a lot of government appointments to go to today with VISA stuff and on top of all of that Button is being delivered here into our care permanently around noon. We need all hands on deck so please say a prayer that we can get this illness beat.

We had a very long and busy day yesterday. In the morning, we all went to the Central Department store to do some shopping and eat lunch. In the past, some families have felt frustrated by this activity because it is a difficult day for the kids. Very overwhelming and stressful for them and creates and lot of difficulty in toddler wrangling. But we were told that it was important because it helps to prepare for the atmosphere of airports. What a smart social worker!! It was loud and bright, full of strangers and weird things like escalators which fascinated Button. By the time we got to lunch he was overstimulated, had a hard time eating and then fell sound asleep in the middle of the food. Poor kid.

In the afternoon we took the 2 hour drive out to the village where he lives with his foster family. His foster parents are the sweetest, kindest people and we loved meeting them! He clearly has a wonderful relationship with both of them and their extended family who all live right there. Button seems to be kind of a guy's guy and he is very close to his foster father and he adores Brian and thinks everything he does is SUPER COOL. He imitates all his noises and gestures in this completely adorable way! His foster parents have a little pre-teen granddaughter who lives there and Button obviously loves her and does everything with her. She showed us all around their street and took us on the little evening walk that she usually goes for with Button down to the river. He is a VERY physical, active little boy who needs to be doing something all the time. One of the few words he does say is, "GO!" His foster mother told us that taking his evening walk is very important to him and she made me promise that we would continue this tradition at our house. She seemed incredibly relieved to hear that we had been to Thailand before and that we had friends in Chiang Rai and planned to return. I don't think she believed we would bring him back to visit her but she seemed hopeful at least.

His foster parents told us that they have fostered 10 children through Holt but 8 of them have been reunited with loving birth families here in Thailand. Only one other child, long ago, went to America. She said it was very hard for her to see Button going so far away and she had been worried for many months about who these people were. She was very kind to us because she said that when she saw our faces and saw us with him she could tell that we were very loving and fun and that we would be good to him. I cried the whole time she talked and so did the social worker translating. She is 65 years old and she has done a very good job, in limited circumstances, with caring for and loving our son and we are so grateful. We can't wait to come back and visit her.

By the time we got home Brian was sick. When he is feeling better he will post pictures. I can't work the camera. Lightswitches are as technical as I get.
--Rosemary

17 comments:

Jessica said...

So, that's why Holt sends us to Central. Now I get it! But on to more important things, poor Brian. I hope everyone is feeling better on the double and that you and Button stay well.

Sounds like a physically and emotionally draining day all around yesterday, no wonder Button took a snooze during lunch. Sending thoughts and prayers your way!

Kerrie (and Jason) said...

Sorry to hear Brian and yourself aren't well. I hope you feel better soon and are on the mend when Button arrives today.

Sharon said...

Have you got medication for yourselves, at least you may feel a little better with it. Once bub arrives, it will be full on! But great!! We have friends in Chiang Mai visiting their little boy for the first time this morning also - a great day for all, I reckon!

Maci Miller said...

Okay, quit making me cry! The description on your meeting with the foster family is beautiful!!! Geez, with all that emotion on your shoulder and meeting that wonderful foster family, it's no wonder one of you got sick. That is a lot to take in in just one day! Even good stress (excitement) can take it's toll on the body. But combine that with such deep emotions and it can totally wear you out. Take tons of vitamins/water/tea and get sleep wear you can.

So happy he had such a loving family to take care of him! What a sweet thing about the walk. Toddlers are all very busy. You will find yourself worn out some days, but with a strange blissful smile on your face at the same time! Hope Brian bounces back quick and you stay healthy. You'll be surprised how much stamina you acquire when a little one is depending on you. Just remember: YOU CAN DO IT!

Robin and Kyle said...

Thanks for sharing your day with us. OK, now the shopping trip makes more sense.

Hang in there. I hope Brian is feeling much better soon.

Jeremy said...

oh man- sick is no good, I will pray for speedy recovery and that no one else gets it....
yeah-- when we finally heard the explanation of why the trip to the central department store then all of a sudden it made sense...
But I'm glad Button is home to stay! Though I can relate with how incredibly emotional it is to meet with the foster family....
praying for good health and good rest!
Kim

chaniemom said...

Sadly, some other friends who are meeting their toddler for the first time in Kazhakstan are having the same problem...hubby very sick. I hope and pray for a speedy recovery or at least some meds to mask the symptoms for survival. What an emotional day for everyone! We'll wait patiently for pictures.

Anonymous said...

I'm loving the updates! so thankful you guys are taking the time to document and keep us updated. We'll say prayers for you and Brian both. Greg is super excited for you guys as well. I'm just picturing Button with his face in the middle of a Chik-fil-a kids meal, asleep. I know that's not what he was eating, but I picture food court and then Chik-fil-a. And don't let anyone tell you lightswitches aren't difficult.
xoxoxo
ali

Sue May said...

Hi Rosemary & Brian

you write so well it brings back some lovely memories of meeting our sons.

don't put off if Brian continues to be ill the Hospitals in CM are really good and most of the doctors speak good english.

Otherwise just drop into a pharmacy you dont need a script for most medications.

You so dont want to be ill during this time of joy. the north has some really lovely places to visit as a new family.

April said...

Oh Rosemary :( I'm so sorry to hear that Brian is ill. I will be praying fervently for his recovery!
Your post got me all misty. I remember our time at the department store and ending the day wanting to rip my hair out b/c Prim had been pretty much inconsolable. Nooooooow I understand why they do it. Good to know :)
Was Mo your translator? She is the best and I remember she had tears with our foster family when she translated for us. They really are amazing women!!
Thank you for updating us and I can't wait to hear how your first day alone with Button is.
April

Deena said...

Rosie and Bri,
My heart is with you. I read the past couple days worth of blogs all at once and now I can't stop crying. June asked: "Mama cry?" I said: "yes baby, Mama cry, but its a good thing. Look at Auntie Rose and her baby!"
Call when you are home and settled.

Megan said...

Praying for good health to be restored quickly and a smooth transition as Button moves in! His foster family sounds amazing. So wonderful you will be able to travel back for visits.
Blessings~

Matt and Tiffany McClain said...

So glad to hear the meeting with the foster family went well! I can't wait to see the pictures! Praying for a quick recovery and that Brian feels 100% very soon! Love ya'll!

Chris and Terri said...

I really hope Brian feels better. Praying it's a 24 hr thing or even an 18 hour thing...

What an emotionally draining day that was.

Good Luck at the board meeting - I guess you are getting ready for that now! Take a snack!

Wendy said...

Rosemary,

I so feel for you and hope your husband is on the mend soon. April...boy, can I relate to the department store story. Lily screamed so inconsolably the entire time, I thought the associates at the stores we went to were going to throw us out! And Mo is the best. We adored her.

Bridget said...

I hope Brian feels better soon. That is so hard. I second everyone else whn I say "So that is why we went to the department store". Luckily our little one was a mall addict before we arrived so he actually loved the crowds. It was where he was most comfortable at first.
Have a wonderful first full day with Button. He looks absolutely precious.

mKla said...

Oh, my heart is so thankful for that foster family! I thank them for evening walks. I love the photos, the updates, the news... all of it!