prep

Just thought I'd drop in and leave a quick note. I know there are lots of people who read this regularly, and so I thought I'd give them something new to read! Especially as we are getting close to "crunch time".

Otto and I went over our luggage situation last night. We need to go with smaller suitcases, because our pound limit is smaller with the Russian connecting flight. So, out with the big suitcase that can hold a ton, and in with more smaller suitcases to make up for it. At least we can take 4, plus our carry-ons.

I think we both got our wardrobes figured out. I had mine planned great for a winter trip, but had to rethink it for a spring one. It's easier without the bulky coats and boots, so I'm not complaining - I got to go shopping!! =) Otto had to buy a sports jacket for our official appearances - he looks really good in it too! ;) Oh, by the way, someone had a birthday yesterday.... That person really loves it when the church sings to them... =O

The boys' info is all together. Medical releases for the grandparents, schedules written, notes to school, lunch money paid through... Their photo album is pretty much done. Maybe I'll see if Otto will scan some of the pages. I personally think it turned out really cute!

Okay, back to work!

Have tickets, will travel

We have our tickets! We leave on Saturday, May 10, and return the next Saturday, the 17th. I'll get to meet my new daughter right after Mother's Day! =) I'm repressing the compulsion to panic until next week, or at least tomorrow. Then I'll "shift it into high gear" (my mom's phrase, spoken about two hours before company arrives - I can almost smell the floor cleaner now =) - such great memories!)

T-Minus 19 Days and counting....

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! Well two of my co-workers came running into my office late this afternoon when they heard me scream. We have an email letting us know that they would like us in Russia by the 11th of May because we have appointments on the 12th. That is all we really know at this point. We won't know a whole lot more until we get back from our first travel meeting with our Adoption Agency. Right now we are just trying to confirm travel plans and arrange care for the boys, pets, and house.

This will be the first of two trips. This trip we will meet her and on the second trip, Lord willing, we will bring her home. =-)

Can you guess how many??

Nothing yet - we're still holding our breath for a phone call anyday. This would be a great time for anyone who wanted to send things with us for the orphanage to get those to us. With two trips, we can take most of the orphanage stuff first, and have more room for our own luggage on the second trip.

My mom's been sending things over for us to take - here's an armload of stuffed animals from her! I thought I would let everyone guess how many are there. Any guesses? I wonder if Mom even remembers - no peaking at the receipt! =) And, just to encourage interest, I'll even offer a prize for the closest guess. The winner gets either a pack of cards or a hairbow, their pick. Check out my website for a sample of what I'm talking about: http://www.marieDs.etsy.com/

river of paper

The river of paperwork is flowing well. I've been getting them sent back the same day I get them. We were e-mailed a document to sign. The message said that when they get it in Russia, the government will be ready to send our "invitation" - I guess that means to come for the match. That's pretty positive news!

In the meantime, I've been busy doing my favorite things - sewing and scrapbooking. I made a really cute "rag" blanket with embroidered flowers and her name on some of the blocks. It's so refreshing to work in pinks, yellows and purples! It's the kind of quilt where the seams get sewn on the wrong side, and then they're cut, so when it's washed it makes cute fuzzy borders aroung the pieces. The boys were curious how it would turn out - Sammy said "Mommy, how are you going to hide those?" (pointing at the seam allowance). I thought it was pretty amazing that he knew enough about sewing to know it wasn't how it was supposed to be!