We Have Him

He is with us now and forever!! What an amazing day. We were rushed this morning thinking we were leaving for the orphanage at the time we were supposed to be there. We quickly got everything together and ran out the door. I only got a few pictures of the first few seconds with him, everyone else was snapping away, but I don't really think they were doing it for us. Poor Tankhun, was overwhelmed, and still is. We stayed at the orphanage for a good amount of time, walked around and met everyone and took pictures of his school room and pictures with a lot of different people. Tankhun gathered up the gifts we gave him and headed off toward his ward, he was finished with the white people! Everyone laughed and everyone, I mean everyone talked to him at the same time and told him...something. He was very dazed. He left with us and our driver took us to eat, I was very, very grateful to be walking toward the McDonald's, but as I was about to walk in Joe turned and we ended up in an authentic, sit down Thai restaurant. The menu had a few pictures, about 5 words in English and no one spoke English. Even Joe only speaks a few words. I ended up with some sort of bleached meat with slimy noodles, I don't know what Veldon had and Max had rice. Max ate a few bites, but I suspect he had never been in such an environment and behaved as I would have expected a 2-3 year old to behave who had no idea what was going on around him. Joe was issuing him commands and Max was very overwhelmed and distracted. We then went to a sort of Wal-Mart store and bought water and Nutella and bread as I think eating here might be a bit more of a challenge than we had thought. Our hotel doesn't include breakfast and the breakfast they have is very, very expensive, even by American standards. Nearly everything in Thailand is cheaper, expect at our hotel. I understand it is a very nice hotel, we just hadn't thought about breakfast. Oh and apparently I hadn't thought about shirts for Max either because I totally forgot to pack any. Not really any, I did pack three button downs at the last minute, but totally forgot regular t-shirts. Oh well, we'll find some.

Max didn't want to change into the clothes we brought with us and Nicola explained that great care had been taken to find him a special outfit. He remained in his orphanage clothes until we returned to the hotel. When we finally got back to the hotel, after eating, shopping, and getting his passport, and decided to change his clothes again. He didn't really want to, now I understand. He broke down a short time later and cried and cried telling us he wanted to go back home now. I held him until the wailing stopped and he had fallen asleep. He woke up a short time later and cried again for a very long time while Veldon held him. He is afraid and wants to go home. I completely understand, we're afraid too and there's nothing I would like more than to go home, but I'm not 4 and I understand what is going on around me. Part of me is very angry that he was here so much longer than necessary and leaving is a lot harder because he is older. Part of me is frustrated with the nannies because he was greatly loved but very spoiled too, it is very obvious he came and went as he pleased and did as he liked. That's a lot of responsibility for a 4 year old. We knew this wouldn't be an easy road, and it's not. He doesn't know that this is good for him, he doesn't understand that we are taking him away from everything he knows and loves because we love him and desire what is good for him. He will know that someday, but as I have said for so long, I worry for his heart right now. He is hurting.

After the crying stopped we all crashed. Not sure what the rest of the night holds. Tomorrow we go for his medical visit and then maybe some fun. We have now met up with Ms. Oh and she seems to really understand what is going on and how to help Max. We shall see. It is going to be a very long 10 days. She also doesn't hold out hope that we can have a visa interview on Wed. she said they are only doing them on Thursday afternoons now. I'm not sure if that is correct or not, something else we will find out! If it is true then we won't be arriving home on Friday.

No editing, I hope it's in pretty good shape. I will post more pictures soon.