I have the bleary eyes and sleep deprived body to prove it! ;)
Since we learned on Thursday that Selah is legally a Johnson, I have been on a mad race to the finish line. I don't know where (when) the finish line is, but international travel is looming in our near future. I have been "nesting" like crazy-- dragging all of Noelle's old baby (toddler) items out of storage and cleaning them. I've organized the baby dish section of the kitchen cupboard. I've made lists of things we still need and have been registering at baby stores for our shower next month.
Eric and I also pulled suitcases and bags out of the attic to see what we have for traveling. We have one mongo suitcase and an odd assortment of smaller bags. But the mongo suitcase that went to China with us will unfortunately not be taking a trip to Taiwan. You see, I've been talking with my friend Cindy-- Taiwan adoptive parent 2 times over and somewhat of a travel pro. She and her husband highly recommend traveling with only carryon bags. And friends, that is what we intend to do! Google has been a tremendous friend of mine as I have embarked on this travel-light plan. Yahoo Group friends and my crew on facebook have also been very helpful. Airlines and hotel recommendations have also come in handy. You know, I really think we can do it. The challenge is On!
Part of the "carryons-only travel" is the 1 Quart Bag for Liquids rule. Praise God for itty bitty bottles and the toiletry travel sections at WalMart and Target. I will somehow cram every product we need into 2 small ziplock bags.
After the news Thursday morning, I also realized that we had to move quickly to renew our expired fingerprints. U.S. Immigrations will not let us bring Selah home on expired fingerprints. I had been procrastinating a bit, but mailed out our fingerprint request the very same day. I do hope we get something in mail soon telling us when to go to Atlanta. That will be the last bit of red tape (on our end) to complete the adoption process.
Here's the thing. I have gotten much accomplished, but still more needs to been done. Noelle's room has to be painted (we promised it would happen before Selah arrives). Safety gates n such need to be installed around the house. The travel agent needs to be called to start making hotel and flight arrangements. My house needs to be scrubbed and floors sterilized (or close, anyway) before a crawling baby comes exploring. And some other stuff. Can't quite think what. But trust me, there is more.
Ahhh the crazy, wild pre-travel ride of International Adoption. I LOVE it!!! :)
5 comments:
Hooraaaayyyy! She's a Johnson!!!! SO OVER THE MOON excited for you all!!!!! I wish I could come over and scrub your floors or paint for you. Blessings abundant on your travel!
Hi! Also adopting from HH (on the wait list)... If you have two seconds could you email me please? Alicia-Peterson@hotmail.com
What needs to get done will get done. . .don't stress too much. If your floors aren't scrubbed, that's okay. And we didn't put up baby gates until last week (6 weeks after coming home). I hope you get your fingerprints updated quickly...I'll be praying for all the details to come together. I know how you feel - I was like that as soon as I heard we had a final decree :)
Cindy
Oh, nesting is so much fun. :) Congrats on Selah coming home!
Kelly
Praise God! Another baby is saved and she has a family to call her own. I have two Taiwanese kiddos, home now a year and half. I watched His Hand video and it made me realize it is a mircale that my children where not aborted and are alive today. 500,000 abortions a year? I had no idea. Feeling thankful. Congratulations, Mandy
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