Jet Lag Hangs On

Trey's first smile (day #3)

Group picture of Trey's foster family and us (minus RJ who refused, talk about embarassing!)

RJ and Trey at both of their foster family's home (they were the same family) before RJ's meltdown

RJ in front of a laying Buddha at the Ancient Ctiy

RJ and Jack hat shopping at a local market

(below)

I can't remember, but how long does the jet lag last? The boys have been up from 12AM until around 3:30AM or $ AM ever since we got back (minus the first night, which I think was just pure exhaustion on every one's part). When they don't sleep, neither do Lance or I. Lance has been good at taking the first part of the shift, and then I usually pick it up around 2AM. Good thing I am not working as that afternoon nap seems to get me by. I have not however, been able to get up and exercise like I normally do which is furthering my exhaustion. Exercise is my form of coffee and stress relief and I am missing it greatly. Hopefully, tonight will be the night. We mad the boys (and ourselves) pry our eyes open at 8AM and then take afternoons naps in hopes that letting them stay up until 10:30PM may help get them back on track, let's pray it heps for all of our sanity!

Trey seems to be doing remarkably well when it comes to his adjustment. He seems to have made it quite quickly and does very well except when we try to leave the house. When we get ready he starts crying and won't stop until he is in the car. I think he is afraid we are going to leave him, which just about breaks your heart. It is such an awful thing to think that he is already feeling some form of abandonment and that we were the cause! Since we ripped him from the only family he has ever known I can certainly understand his fears. If I hadn't been through this 2 other times before and know that it will fade with time I would be feeling extremely guilty right about now (and I did with RJ). I have to just keep reminding myself how much better off he will be here in America with us than he would have been in Thailand and that seems to comfort some of my guilt. Even then, it sometimes isn't enough, as I know that the only real thing that a child needs is love and he had plenty of that where he was living luckily.

About the only real things we did the last two days were to go to Wal-Mart for food and supplies, and then to Target to get some clothes for the little guy. He is so little I didn't have any 18 month clothes for him and only had 2T's which he seems to drown in. I can't imagine how he stays so tiny as that little guy eats all day long! We haven't seen any signs of the breathing problems or cough that the foster family had said he had quite frequently. In fact, they had him in the hospital for several days last winter with respiratory issues. As far as I could get in the translation it sounds like he had to go for breathing treatments and was possibly diagnosed with asthma, although the foster family did not have to administer any regular medications. They also reported that if he ate or drank too much he would get sick, like I said, we have seen no problems since his arrival here in the states. I suspect he had some sort of allergy to the immense air pollution, coupled with the fact that he was surrounded by construction dust 24/7 certainly didn't help.

Well, stay tuned, I am sure with our big outing to see Santa at the mall and get pictures will be packed full of adventurous tales to tell (not!).

Jetlag

Wow! I had forgotten how much traveling all over the world catches up with you. By the time Lance and I made it to bed at around 9:30PM last night, we both had been up for over 36 hours. The boys were able to sleep on the plane, we were not so lucky. I think maybe I caught an hour nap from Portland to SLC but Lance couldn't sleep at all. I am not sure how I ever was able to get through my residency and do 36 hour shifts every other night during the ICU rotations, because I felt rotten by the time I layed down for bed (I guess that is what 10 years does for you!). We all slept until noon today, although even then, I have still felt wiped out all day, and in fact, have not gotten out of my pajamas! We are living on scraps we had left in the cupboard and freezer so I guess I will have to get my butt out of bed and to the store early tomorrow morning.

The plane trip was once again interesting. We checked in at 0330 hours only to have them tell us that because Trey was now 2 years old (he turned two on 12/18 so had only been two for 3 hours) that we had to buy a one way ticket for 72,000 baht (the equivalent of $2000!). After we agreed (as really, what choice did we have?), then they had a hard time finding him a seat on all our planes, and in fact, we left Bangkok not even having a seat for him for the last leg of our flight, SLC to Pasco. Luckily, all went smoothly and even though the Tokyo to Portland leg seemed like an eternity (when in fact it was only 9 hours which was shorter than our 14 hours flight from San Fran to Taipei) we all ended up with seats somewhat together, all safe and sound and on time into Pasco at 5:30pm on the same day we left 12/18. Trey got to celebrate his second birthday for two days, although I am not sure he enjoyed his present (an airplane seat) too well. We did go ahead and make him birthday cupcakes and sing the birthday song, although am pretty sure he had no idea what we were saying or doing. Here is a little clip of his birthday celebration, first us decorating the cupcakes, and the second us singing him the birthday song, you will see Lance's hand in front of his face as all he wanted to do was blow out the candle (he had obviously done that before).

Well, my hopes that are I get my camera pictures uploaded to the computer tomorrow so that I can share some of the cute shotes I got while in Thailand of all the boys, but that would require us getting out of bed before noon, so we will see :) Take care and thank you for all the prayers, so far I would call Trey's adjustment a success, however, I know it is a bit soon to be making that statement. The only one who seems to be having difficulty is not Trey, but Jack. Knowing Jack and how happy and friendly he is, I am sure he will come around soon, but then again jealousy is sometimes a tough emotion to get over. I am trying to make sure he gets some extra special attention right now, but not sure I am doing that great of a job, especially today in my fatigue I may have been a little short with them all. Trey seems to be adjusting to me now, and sometimes even prefers me over Lance, but I am sure the moment Grandma comes around again I will take second fiddle, as he got really attached to both the grandmother's on the flight home. Thanks again for reading and stay tuned.....

Our Last Day in Bangkok

Yeah!! We got Trey's visa today as planned and should leave for the airport early tomorrow morning (at 3AM!!!). We had a fun and busy last day. Lance, Trey and I got up early and took the train to the US Embassy, where we sat around for 2 hours waiting for our name to be called. We had an appointment at 8AM and were finally called at 10:30AM for our application (sounds about right for our government, and they want to run our health care?? NO THANKS!!).

We then picked up the boys and the rest of the family (Lance's mother, Jamelynn, and both my parents have been travelling with us) and headed back to the Siam Center where we fed the boys and then went to the Aquarium. The older generation were not interested in the fish so it was just Lance, me and my "boyz". We had a really nice time and Trey absolutely loved all the fish. He was running around the Aquarium shouting things in Thai. I am not sure what he said but it sounded as if he was having a great time. I wasn't able to get any really good camera or flip shots, not only did he move too fast, but it was quite dark in there. Lance then had to go with Trey to pick up the visa so RJ, Jack and myself stayed a little longer. They played in the little playground and then we all took off our shoes for a "fish massage". We placed our feet into this small little pool where there were literally thousands of small fish that looked like minnows. The fish then would "eat" your feet and it felt as if someone were tickling the bottoms and sides of your feet. I am not sure how to describe the feeling but it definitely tickled and the boys and I were literally laughing out loud (and with the boys I mean out LOUD). We were definitely the loudest group in there but they were having such a great time and have been such good boys the whole trip that I did not discourage them, and in fact, I joined them! We then picked up Grandma Duddles and went to see a 4-D movie. We weren't sure what the 4th dimension was until we got into the theater. It was that the seat was interactive and it moved, vibrated, blew air and even a fine mist at us in tune with the movie. I thought it was pretty neat but the boys were both a little scared (even though the film only involved Santa and a snowman!) I think it was the small theater, the dark, and how loud it was that startled them.

I then dropped off the boys back at the hotel with Lance and Trey and my father and I went and got a 1 hour foot massage that was heavenly. In fact I have had a few of those since I have been here, and my father has had some form of massage every day we have been here. In fact, today he had a full body massage and then went back for the foot massage with me! It is so cheap here, around 7-8$ American money for a full hour! Wish we could get it that cheap in the states.

After a long dinner (all the boys were extremely tired and a bit cranky) we came home, bathed and went to bed (where I am headed as soon as I am done) since we have to get up in less than 6 hours I am hoping they all make the most out of their rest.

The cameras are packed so I will post more videos and pictures when we get home and unpacked. We can still use all your prayers for a safe and on-time trip home!!

It's Official!

Trey is officially ours. I would say that he is officially a Beeson, and in our eyes he was from day #1, however, that process will take another 6 months and probably another $5000, but in the eyes of Thailand he is officially ours. We all got up early, put on our Sunday best (Thailand style) and hurried up to wait. We had to go to the Adoption Center of Thailand, which once again because of this crazy traffic here took us over an hour to get less than 10 miles (not sure exactly as one corner looks like all the others to me but I know it wasn't very far). We then arrived and waited about 2 hours in 90 degree heat and 90% humidity and only one small fan for the whole room. Our name was finally called so we went in to sit in front of Thailand's Adoption Committee, where they asked us about two minutes of questions, we then had to leave the air conditioned room and wait for another 30-45 minutes to get the official paper. We finally got it and he became officially ours. All that was a small price to pay for such a great reward and we really had it easy compared to some of the other couples who used a different adoption agency. We met another couple who still had to go to the hospital where they had to have all their son's legal documents translated, a process that I am sure was going to take them all day in a small crowded hospital with likely no air conditioning. That is where our adoption agency comes in tops. We have heard horror stories about poor couples having to have longer waits than ours, then having to do all sorts of other things that our adoption agency takes care of for us, so we are very grateful for their such hard work, even as much as it sounds sometimes like I am complaining when in reality it is only a reflection of my own impatience (a trait I am trying to work on!). Here is a short video clip of Trey at the adoption committee waiting room, he is still very attached to Lance and will not leave his side, I think this clip is cute because it shows how stuck on Lance he truly is, if Lance walks, he follows, if Lance stops, he stops and he constantly wants Lance to hold him or at least hold his hand and I think it is really cute! (Even though I am still a little jealous since he seems almost repulsed by my touch yet. It is a good thing that we have been through this before and I know that things will get much better and he will come to want my touch and hugs soon. Now I know how Lance must have felt the first two times around, although I think it is a little tougher being the mommy and feeling a little left out!)

After we returned home, Trey was revitalized after his nap in the van on the way home. He had a grand time with RJ and Jack in the hotel room. They teased each other, they played ball, they turned the TV and lights on and off and he really let loose and started even laughing and smiling, which was the first time since we took possession of him. What a welcome site that was! He has been such a quiet and solemn looking fellow so far! Those antics must have worn him out as he and his daddy took a little nap then we headed off as a family to the local shopping center again. Took the train, stopped in the toy store to buy the boys a little something for being such good kids (and I have been so impressed with RJ and Jack's behavior, they have really been great kids and so well behaved, I was actually dreading this trip with them coming because I thought they would make for so much extra work but they haven't at all!) then headed back down to the food court again. We have eaten there at least 3 nights but this place is the largest food court I have ever seen and you have so much selection, from KFC and BK to real authentic Thai, Chinese and Indian food. Everything I have tried has been fabulous and I am dreading going home and stepping on that scale because I have eaten so much and exercised so little! (sorry Pam! my trainer).

As soon as we returned home it was baths and bed and all the boys are sleeping soundly right now. I suppose I should do the same while I can as I am sure Trey will wake up tonight and once again get up at 5:30 AM. We have a long morning ahead waiting to apply for Trey's visa. Pray that it gets completed tomorrow as we have plane tickets to leave Friday AM at 0530 hrs and if we don't get his visa done we will once again have to change our tickets, eat the extra cost and stay around Bangkok for several more days (and as much as I love the warm weather, I am ready to get home away from all these millions of people and smog!).

Here is a clip of Trey eating his dessert. Not sure if this was his first ice cream cone or not but he did look perplexed on what he was to do with it, but after watching his brothers he quickly figured it out!

Our first whole day together

Today was the day when we got to keep Trey in our possession, from now and for the rest of our lives. They dropped him off this morning around 10:30AM. While I got all the instructions, Lance took him for a little tour of the hotel lobby. Whatever he did, it really seemed to work, as Trey has wanted nothing but Lance (or daddy) since. Even when we loaded the social worker's van, he sat contentedly on Lance's lap. Surprisingly, when we arrived at Jack's previous foster family's home, he even stayed with Lance as opposed to running straight for the social worker, which I felt was a great break-through.

We got to go see Jack's foster family. They were so excited to see him, but unfortunately Jack did not seem to share any of their excitement. He seemed very scared that we were going to leave him there, even after all this time, and wouldn't hardly look at them or leve my side or his Grandma's side. Just before we left we were able to get him to pose for a few pictures (as long as I stood right by him) which I'll post once I get home and have the correct camera cables.

After we got back to the hotel after our trip, Trey seemed fairly content, as long as Lance was around. He even played a little play-do with Jack (although dad had to be very close by).

For the evening meal we took a very short train ride to another upscale mall (for as much poverty as they have here it amazes me that every mall we seem to go to has all upscale stores such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermes, etc) where we had dinner at a Mexican Restaurant (we actually needed a break from the Thai cuisine if you can believe that, with 3 meals a day of Thai food it does seem to get a little old, despite how good it is!). Trey still stuck to Lance like glue and would not let anyone else hold him except for my dad, grandpa, for a brief time. I am a little jealous but I remember that it was just the opposite with RJ and Jack (who were both much heavier than him despite Jack's young age!) so I don't feel too bad. Actually, it is a little bit of a relief to not have a young one tied to your hip and allows me to pay some extra attention to Jack and RJ so they don't feel as left out. It also so far has saved my neck and back and arms a lot of pain!

Tomorrow we go before the Thai Adoption Committee to get the final approval. It really is just a formality but it feels good to get that done and be over that and know that when you leave there Trey will be "officially" ours. Will keep you updated, thanks for reading!

Shopping Spree

We got to see Trey again today, although we did not get to spend as much time as we would have liked. We got to take Trey to a local store and buy him anything that we thought we might need that we didn't already have. After two other boys, we had most things luckily, as he wasn't too happy to have to be shopping with us. About the only thing we needed were shoes. He definitely did not like us taking off his shoes and screamed the whole time, needless to say, we bought the first pair we tried on because they seemed to fit and the only thing that would stop his screaming was placing his old shoes back on. Let's hope they actually fit when it is time to make the switch!

We then got to eat lunch with them again, this time he fed himself and did not want anything to do with my helping him out. He did seem content to have me hold him during most of our shopping spree, but the minute his social worker returns, he does not want anything to do with me, and since his social worker was there for lunch anything I tried to do for him didn't make him happy.

We then got to take Trey back to our hotel room without the social worker present. He wasn't at all happy. He kept walking to the door and pounding on it with his hands. he was grabbing my shirt and pulling me toward the door. It was nice to know that he is able to express himself and communicate with me, although it was hard to see him so sad. This is the third time however, that we have been through it so it does make it easier for us to know that just 2 weeks from now he will be content to stay with us. The first time we went through it it almost broke my heart to see RJ walking to the door, pounding on it and screaming "ba-ba" (his name for his foster mother) over and over and at the time I wasn't sure we were doing the right thing by ripping him from the only family he had ever known. Being the third time and knowing how things will all turn out makes it so much easier for me, if not for Trey.

This evening we got to meet up with some old college friends who happen to be living her in Thailand. Barry and Allayne Clegg and there two beautiful children met us for dinner tonight at a wonderful Thai restaraunt. I ate so much tonight I am almost certain I gained 2 pounds (especially since I have been taking a break from my regular exercise routine since I have been here). It was so nice to see them again and catch up on all their adventures here in Thailand.

Well, tomorrow is the big day, he comes to us at 10:30AM and will be ours forever. Stay tuned, as I know there will be tough times ahead. I am going to go to bed and enjoy my last night of uninterrupted sleep for what will likely be several months from now.

Our First Meeting

After over 13 months of waiting we finally got to meet the latest addition to our family, Trey Teepop Beeson (formerly know as Teepop Buadepresert). We initially found out about him last November of 2008 when we got a call out of the blue from Holt Adoption Agency (the agency that had handled our two previous son's adoptions) saying that they had just found out that RJ's (my eldest son) mother had given birth to another baby and were wondering if we wanted to adopt again. After I got over my initial shock, I started to get excited, as I had felt the Lord was preparing my heart to the possibility of going back for a little girl just before we had gotten the call. At the risk of sounding like a horrible person, you can imagine I was quite dissapointed when I was told it was another little boy. My disappointment quickly faded, and I began to get excited about the possibility of adopting another child into our home. Lance however, did not initially share my same excitement but we decided to have them send us the information about the child for our review. It took us many hours of prayer and discussion with friends and family before we decided how to proceed. In the end, we felt that the miracles that had to occur for this little child to even find us were all just a sign from the Lord that he was meant to be part of our family. I had further reassurance from the social worker today who actually told me that they (meaning the Thai Holt Adoption agency) were not even sure that they should even tell us about Trey since we already had our hands full with two other boys. I mean think about this, Bangkok is a town of over 10 million people and the fact that Trey's mother happened to give birth at the same hospital where RJ had been born, and that someone happened to recognize her and know that she had given up her previous child for adoption, and that that particular person happened to notify Holt (a very samll adoption agency in this huge country and city), and Holt finally decided to notify us, could only have been divine intervention and I tear up everytime I think about how many hurdles this little boy had to overcome just to meet in my arms today! God is so good!

I will post a couple of videos of our first meeting below. As his brothers before him, he was not too excited about the idea of having all of us around him most of the day. He didn't start out crying but just staring at us like, "what in the world is going on and who are all these funny looking people?" He only cried when either Lance or I touched or held him. He was able to get over his shock however, and eat a good lunch with us and his social workers around. He even let me feed him for a while, then he decided that eating his little blanket was much more fun. After lunch we wnet up to our hotel room for an hour, chaperoned by his social worker. He seemed to really enjoy throwing the ball and having RJ go chase it down for him.

We then had the pleasure of going to meet his foster family, who happened to be the same foster family as RJ's, yet another "coincidence", out of hundreds maybe thousands of foster families around the Bangkok area. Once in his home enviroment he became a more happy and playful child and it was nice to see and exchange gifts with RJ and Trey's foster family, who were more than gracious to give us drinks and presents even though I know that just taking care of Trey for the past two years has likely been a financial burden upon them (the foster family system is all voluntary here, they do not get paid like they do in the US). I really felt that no gift I could give them would be adequate and left there feeling almost ashamed and guilty of all that I have at home, as it seems like so much and all so unecessary, as all I really need are my four "boys", Lance, RJ, Jack and now Trey to be truly blessed and happy.

Well, so sorry for all the sappy rhetoric, but it really is humbling being halfway across the world and being witness to the true generosity of the human spirit. I will forever be grateful to the Poontip family for taking such good care of first RJ and now Trey, as well as to their birth mother who made the ultimate scarifice of giving up her children so that they could have a better life, and although she didn't know it at the time, so that I could have the wonderous joy of being their mother! Stay tuned, we have many adventures (although may not be truly exciting adventures) still to come.