We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Well it has been some journey.
Jason is doing great. It is almost hard to believe that a month ago he was not right here with us or that I didn't carry him in my belly. He is just that much a part of our family already.
We had some travel issues with United- who SU CK by the way- so I am going to say that if you plan on traveling for your adoption use a travel agent. Thankfully we did. If we had used the Internet we would never have made it to our Ethiopian Air flight and would have missed our embassey appt.
We were picked up at the airport and got to the guest house at the orphanage. We brought our bags to our room- #9- and then we were taken to Jason's crib. He was sound asleep so I told the Nanny not to wake him but they insisted. He woke right up and smiled. The Nanny's kept telling him "Mommy and Papa are here for you". I held him. I didn't cry, maybe because he was so smiley.
We played for about 20 minutes and then I said that he should go back to sleep and we were totally shot as well after traveling for over 20 hours.
We were given some amazing macaroni in chicken broth and then went to bed.
The next afternoon was our embassey appointment and the day that Jason was officially OUR son. We had a great day. All 5 families who were adopting during the week with us all piled into a big van with our children and off we went to the embassey. No car seats is VERY stressful but it is the way things are done in Ethiopia. After tons of security checks Jason Bonkoka Wagner Campbell was officially our child
The severe poverty in Ethiopia was very hard to be witess too for a whole week. You feel guilty, thankful, sad, overwhelmed ...all at once. There are no social services for mothers without food for their children.Young children..I mean a 7 years old can be homeless and alone because his parents have died. Mothers can sleep in the street with their baby without any hope of finding a job, going to school, getting food that day. One little boy, maybe 10, came up to the van and asked one of the dads to take him to America too. But despite all of the poverty the people there are beautiful and happy and always have smiles. the simpliest things bring true joy. I think we often lack that here.
We were able to met the family that found and cared for Jason from Sept-Nov. It was an all day drive down south. The baby stays at the orphanage during the 1.5 day trip to met the family. Most people met a member of the birth family, but since Jason was abandoned we got to met the Foster family. Again, the trip was amazing..but not in a "vacation, beautiful" way. It is amazing to see time stand still. There are no McDonalds, Walmarts. There are no procesed foods, one telephone per "city" in many cases. No Internet in many places. Many people have cars but just as many don't. Cars share roads with donkeys, goats, people walking. Getting clean drinkable water is an often daily walk of miles for young children. People can have 1, maybe 2 outfits and lucky children have shoes that actual fit. So after so many days of this I was getting very upset to be honest. But I am so glad that we were able to photograph the spot our baby was found and met the family that cared for him despite having not enough food for their own 5 children. We were able to give the foster father $30 USD which doubled his income for this year.
Added more to the story: With our agency you do not take custody of the baby/child on day 1. Instead you allow them to continue their routine and sleep in their known crib/bed for a few days. it is really a get to know you period. It is especially important to the 2+ age children IMO. The children need time to feel safe and secure. Many of them have lost 1 or both parents in their short lives and have not been in the orphanage very long-only a few months. So this is all new and scary to them and all of a sudden 2 white people show up to take them to yet another new place. So the gradual change seems to really help everything go a bit more easily.

Your message has been sent with the following link to access your shared pictures:

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Our Journey to Jason

Message edited 2/19/2007 9:39:58 AM.

Re: We are home and a family of 4

That's great that you were able to see where Jason was found and meet the people who cared for him.

And congrats on becoming a mommy again! Can't wait to see pics!

Welcome home, especially to Jason!

Message edited 2/18/2007 10:04:39 PM.

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Michele,

What a wonderful story. I am sorry that you had some travel issues. You are an outstanding woman for what you did for Jason. I wish you and your family all the best. Can't wait to see pics.

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Congratulations on your little boy

And you got to see a side of the world we don't see in America...thanks for giving a reminder to be grateful for everything you have, because so many have nothing

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Congratulations on bringing your son home!

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Congrats! I am in tears reading your story. Its a beautiful one!

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Congratulations Michele!
Thank you for sharing your story. I know myself I often forget how much I have to be thankful for and that my DD has a wonderful life and that it doesn't really matter if her clothes are from Gymboree or Wal-Mart.

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Michele, that is a great story.

updated to add...what an incredible journey. He is absolutely gorgeous.

Message edited 2/19/2007 3:49:40 PM.

Re: We are home and a family of 4

You know honestly we did not do anything for Jason...he is a blessing to us. He is a true gift. I am grateful God is allowing me to be his mommy and I truly honor his first mother in my heart. We have no idea what struggles these women face and the fact that 1 in 14 die in childbirth is truly unacceptable. When you hear about a grandmother having to put in place an adoption plan for her 2 younger grandchildren because she cannot afford to feed and educate them...well, there are just very different decisions that women in Africa are forced to make each day.

Molly's adjustment: She had a couple of rough patches when we were both away for a week. That is a very long time for a 3 year old to be without mommy or daddy. But she is doing okay now. She has her jealous moments when I can't hold her and the baby or when the baby needs me. But she is also enjoying having Jason to talk to and show off her dance moves to.

My adjustment to 2 children: I am just so tired. At 8pm I feel like I have been up for 10 days straight. I am starting back to work P/T this week and I am really overwhelmed at the idea of working and having 2. There is just always someone needing me. There i 10x more laundry, but only 1 more person..not sure how that math works. I am sure I will figure it all out but right now just getting 2 in the car is a bit of a juggle act for me. maybe when things settle down a bit more I will feel I am doing okay but for now I feel very overwhelmed.

More to follow...

Re: We are home and a family of 4

congratulations and welcome home baby jason!!!!! cant wait to see pictures!

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Welcome home Michele!!

Congratulations!!!

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Michele- Thank you for sharing that story and for helping me to remember that I should be thankful for all that I have. I can not wait to see pictures of Jason!
Congrats again!

Re: We are home and a family of 4

Congratulations. That is a beautiful story.

Re: We are home and a family of 4

CONGRATS!

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

This is a beautiful story...brought tears to my eyes. Your son is GORGEOUS CONGRATULATIONS!

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Amazing story! He is adorable! Congratulations

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Great pictures!! Congrats!!!

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

I just looked at all your pictures Jason is absoluety gorgeous! you took some amazing photos!! congratulations your family is beautiful!!

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

The pictures were amazing and along with your story incredibly moving. Thank you for sharing, and congrats again!

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Your update has me in tears. Congratulations!!!!

I cant wait to see the pics... the link isnt working for me right now.

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Michele, your story is absolutely amazing and I wish you all the best for your family. What a moving experience and what a wonderful opportunity you are giving to that sweet little boy.

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Congratulations! He is a beautiful boy and so lucky!
Thank you for sharing your story and amazing pictures of your experience. It has me in complete awe!

All the best to you and your new son. You are all beautiful people!

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Congratulations!!

Those pictures were amazing!!

And he's so smiley and adorable!!

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Wow, what beautiful pictures to go along with a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.

Re: We are home and a family of 4..now with photos and more info

Congratulations! Jason is beautiful!!