1460 Sunsets ago

Hello Boardies and friends
I know i haven't logged on much and i regret so. Some of the newbies on here don't know me but i am JaNate, 4 years ago i sailed off to jamaica to bring back a son that i had brought to life through one of my trips to jamaica.
I would never have made it through all the process of bringing my son home without alot of support from my family and friends. It was a 4 month venture of hoops and hurdles and now that i look back at it,could have been longer,but if anyone asked me for advice now,could have been sooner MAYBE??
My last hurdle the family and friends on this negril board really helped pull me through. I keep in contact with some through facebook and some i have still sent a card off in the mail if i know the address. But recently reading my friends trip report and at the end he put my name in there and i had a someone asking how justin and i were doing ,i thought i would respond on the 4 year anniversary!!
Justin and I haven't been back to jamaica since November 2008,he just turned 2 a week before we left. It's not like i don't want to be back to my favorite place,raising a child on my own is something i have learned not to take lightly or easily.
We have moved from place to place in the past 4 years and now have our own house just the 2 of us, He is a daddy's boy all the way and as much as i want to be at the annual reggae party in Red Wing right now, I will miss it for the 2nd year in a row knowing i am doing the right thing and my son and I had a little campfire in our backyard tonight instead!
Justin will be 6 in November and starting kindergarden which is close to our house. He is healthy as can be,never been to ER or anything,up to date on shots and maybe slight cold a year or so is it,i can't be more blessed with that!!
Thanks for all you who been there through it all with me and those reading this lurking. If it was'nt for alot of the support back then 4 years ago it's hard to say if the joy of my sons life and mine and my families would be how they are today! Thank You with all my heart!
Can always look me up on FB Nate Dailey to see more pictures!Attachment 16354Attachment 16353Attachment 16352Attachment 16355

Hi Nate,
Justin looks very happy, well adjusted and most importantly well loved! He is such a handsome boy! Especially love the photo of him by the yellow flowers. You're doing a great job, Daddy! I remember following your heartwrenching story (and adventure) as you navigated through all the red tape and waiting to bring Justin back home to the States.
So nice to see updated photos of him. Wow, he got sooo BIG! Hope you continue to keep posting!:-)
~Eden

Big UP TO U NATE! Mad Respect...........

Nice that you and Justin are doing well. He is growing up and I'm sure he will enjoy kindergarten. Nice photos! Hope he remains happy and healthy.

Yes I too remember following along on your quest and cheering for you both when you landed back home with your baby boy. So nice of you to let us share your pride and joy. Justin is such a gorgeous looking young lad, look out in another 10 years! Kudoos to you JaNate for keeping it together and making it real.

Nate - thanks so much for posting. What a handsome guy. I couldn't be happier for both of you.

I'm so glad you posted an update for us. Your story is what got me hooked on negril.com. I have often thought about you both and wondered how you were doing. Glad to hear all is going well. What a handsome little guy he is.

what a nice surprise to wake up to this on this day!! BIG UP janate for being the best single dad, so proud of you! -- hug up justin for me - give thanks - love you guys <3:o

Thanks for the update! What a handsome boy he is!! I too, remember the journey you shared to bring him home with you...many blessings to you both!

Love and Respect to you Brother...

Maximum respect my friend! You are a true example and inspiration. As one who has kept up with you on facebook, it is nice to see you back "home" on the board. Justin is a very lucky boy to have a father like you! Bless...

Ed

Great to see these pic's Nate!! Your story is one of my all time favorites. Even though we have never met in person, we feel blessed to have met you and Justin through the board and follow your journey.

Nate you are doing a great job and Justin looks to be a fine young man. What I think of everytime I see a picture of Justin are those chubby little cheeks he had as a toddler, and now he is becoming quite a young man. They grow up so fast Nate, enjoy and hang onto to every moment you can, it goes by so fast.

Nate some day me and Badnaz really hope to meet you and Justin in person, until then please know you have our respect.

Jamb & Bad (mike & beth)

Thanks for sharing. You are a good man. Single parenting is a tough job. Justin looks happy and loved.

I remember, keeping up with your story also. Can't believe it's been 4 years, already. The ups & downs, hard times & good times= great rewards! What a handsome little man, you have!

Wow! He's grown a lot and still cute as ever! You're obviously doing a great job raising him.

Nate - Justin is just adorable. I remember your story, as well. I give you so much credit for doing what you have done for your son. Thanks for the update and pics!

I am glad you and your son have done so well together. He is adorable!

Thanks so much for posting!! I, as many on the board, followed your journey. It is so wonderful to see the new pictures! He is sooooo handsome!! My hat is off to you...such love and determination. You truly are an example of what it is to be a father. Plus, I just adore happy endings. Please keep us informed as he matures. You probably have the makings of a great book.
Much respect!

good to hear from our friend JaNate.......
can't believe it's been 4 years since we sat at Blue Cave Castle and JahB's.......
and talkie about bringing your son back to the states.........
boy time flies and wi all miss you and Justin........boy Justin is getting to be a big boy now.......wow
mi was just down in Negril and T&J's Restaurant is closed for the summer.......Tony is around doing construction stuff
Jackie is with an Englishman and in foreign or in Kingston.......
not much else has changed around the Pee Wee Lane neighborhood........
mi stopped by and hung with Bentley of Bentley Crab House at the crest of the lane.....
Everton is still renting rooms at Croton Grove.......Pee Wees is open but meals are by reservation......
the social calendar every week is about the same with Alfreds, Bourbon Beach etc......
couple new places like Rooftop and American Pie.......just places to hang and enjoy the music.....
JahB's is about the same.......went to the wake of the owner of Roots Bamboo......
and there was a huge bashment on a Thursday night for him at Roots Bamboo and gave mi condolences to his dawta.......
saw Ras Husmo your favorite art buddy last Jan but not this July.......sure him around selling his nice paintings....
everything else is Irie........wi will cross paths again soon mi friend......

Cool Runnings, Marko

glad to see you back Nate!

Thanks for the update JaNate,

I have a pic somewhere of my wife holding Justin, at Canoe I believe. I have often wondered how the two of you were doing.

It's easy to tell by the smile in all the pictures that Justin is a happy healthy boy, keep up the good work.

Hope ya'll can make it back someday soon.