One year ago today - August 2, 2010 - we met JM for the first time. I can't believe it's been a year, and I can't believe it's only been a year. What did we do before he was in our lives? Jokingly, I'd say sleep, eat a hot meal, sit down once in a while. But I seriously can't imagine and almost can't remember what it was like before JM.
Our timeline last year (I'll try to add photos soon):
July 29 - brought Maggie to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house; lots of tears upon departure (Keith and me only - not Maggie :). We skyped or talked with Maggie every day, which made the distance better.
July 30 - left for airport around 4:30 am; flew Philadelphia to San Francisco
July 30/31 - San Francisco to Seoul, then Seoul to Manila
July 31 - arrived in Manila at 11:30 pm local time; greeted by PSBP rep Rolly!
July 31-August 1 - down time in Manila. Our hotel was next to a major shopping complex, so we bought a few souvenirs, saw a Scrabble tournament, then went to the gym to work off some stress. Nap in here at some point to help with the time change. Dinner at the hotel with Rolly and Cora from PSBP.
August 2 - this was the big day! Flew to Dumaguete City. Met at airport by Sherry and Karen from
Rainbow Village Ministries. Checked into the hotel then headed to RVM. JM didn't come to us right away...his friends did. Karen and Sherry prepped us for this. JM knew his parents were coming today and this was how the meetings usually went.
JM finally sat our our laps and played with a little orange truck we brought for him. We then toured RVM - a fantastic facility - saw where JM slept, ate, was bathed, played, etc. JM let us hold him...which must have been scary! We had a snack with some of the staff and then it was time for JM to return to his friends.
We said our goodbyes reluctantly and then headed to dinner with Karen and two other RVM staff. Dinner was great. We ate at a local place and with our hands. I highly recommend Mango shakes! Then back to the hotel to try to sleep. That plan didn't work so well!
August 3 - Return to RVM to pick up JM. We signed official paperwork stating he would be in our care from now on. Some more time at RVM, then we headed with Sherry and another RVM staff member to town. Lunch at McDonalds, shopping in the fresh food market, a bit of time at the historical tower then grocery shopping for the party on Thursday. Back at the hotel we let JM explore everything...the room, pushing the buttons on the elevator, etc. Pizza in the hotel room with Rolly, some tv and then to sleep. It was so great having him with us.
August 4 - We took a trip to a local water play area and nature place. This was a mixed bag. JM didn't love the water features, though it was raining. It's funny looking back now...JM loves the water and is a little fish. He also hasn't met a puddle he didn't like.
JM did like the lunch and getting to run around a bit. On the way to the our water adventure, we saw more of Dumaguete and the surrounding area, a cow on a golf course and 7 people on one motor cycle.
After nap time at the hotel, we walked into the downtown area, rode in a trike/pedicab and ate dinner. We were all pretty tired and slept well that evening.
August 5 - Back to RVM for our goodbye party. We had little ice cream cups - vanilla, chocolate and ube a favorite of all! Some playtime for the kids. I remember JM marching in line with the other kids to go back inside and having to divert him back to us. That was hard. So was the tearful goodbye. We will forever be grateful to everyone at RVM.
The RVM staff took us to the airport. It was pouring. We said more tearful goodbyes to Mike and Sherry then headed on board. JM was fantastic on this ride and all of the flights. He liked the hotel but didn't want to go to sleep until Keith returned to the room.
August 6 - A big breakfast (he can eat a lot when he wants to!). Paperwork in Manila at ICAB where we received official documents to leave the country. We then headed to the Aquarium where JM really liked some of the fish, and Keith and I had the fish spa!
August 7 - Beginning the journey home. We said goodbye to Rolly - who had really held our hands the entire time during our stay - and started the long journey from Manila to Seoul to Los Angeles.
We landed at dinnertime in LAX. It took a long time to get through immigration and customs. I do remember the immigration staff being so very nice to us. After a bite to eat, we explored the airport to knock off some time.
Our red eye from LAX to Philadelphia was uneventful until the last hour, when JM started to vomit. We thought he was airsick (he later tossed his cookies on the car ride home), but it turned out he picked up a but during our travels.
August 8 - Finally arrived in Philadelphia. We were home in the morning and let JM check out the house and front yard. Maggie and Grandma had decorated with balloons and welcome home signs. It was great.
I'll never forget Maggie barging in the garage door, running past me and yelling "Where's James?". They were so excited to play with one another and did for much of the day before nap time. Tossing balloons around was a favorite activity. Lots of smiles and laughs and hugs and exploring the house.
JM wasn't feeling really great, but he was a trooper. We stayed up as late as we could - which was around 7 pm - to try adjust to the new time. JM, Maggie and me in JM's room. That's the way it was for several weeks, and they still like to sleep over in eachother's rooms when we let them.
So, that's the long recap of my memories. It was a special time and a wonderful year. Again, I'll try to add photos from our trip above, but I'll also post a few recent picks below.
We spent time in Maine this summer and will head to Florida as a mini-adoption-anniversary celebration in a few weeks. We certainly have a lot to celebrate!
Amy
JM at school on All Star Day
JM and Maggie - Easter 2011
The ice cream man even comes to Maine!
