It's time!

I sort of feel like I am at the end of my pregnancy. I have been going through the nesting stage—running around gathering documents, cleaning house, organizing and reorganizing, telling everyone that is important in my life, and so on. Now I am packing my bags and I am ready to go. Only I am not going to a hospital but to a place half way around the world. And I have not been waiting 9 months for this day but instead have been waiting 2 years and 8 months. And lastly, I will not be able to bring my child home with me but will have to leave her there for a few more months. This is just the best thing that I have ever done and I know when I leave it will be the hardest. But, the wonderfulness and joy that are to come make it all worth while.

I wrote a simple note to my daughter and had it translated to Russian so that I can say it to her in her own language. It is simple because my Russian is simple but it goes like this:
My Darling (her Russian name),
I have waited so long to find you. I have so much love for you and I really want to be your Mom. I promise to always take care of you, keep you safe, and most of all to love you always.
I promise I will come back to bring you home with me. Then you will be my daughter and I will be your Mom always. I love you forever, Your Mama

Today I had many good friends wanting to see me, say good-bye, and wish me well. I squeezed three get togethers in the middle of my preparations. Sharing my excitement and having so many people happy for me was very emotional—it helped me to realize that this is really happening.

So now some details about my preparation. My trip takes 26 hours on the way there and 33 on the way home. I go through Chicago and Amsterdam before getting to Moscow and then onto Krasnoyarsk. I will actually only be in Krasnoyarsk from Wednesday to Saturday—the whole rest of my trip is traveling. Thanks to my friend Lisa, I got a reservation for a Yotel room in the Amsterdam airport on my way home when I have a 12 hour layover—it is just like getting a hotel room but it’s right inside the airport—you don’t even have to go outside security.
I have made copies of all my emergency info and sent it to two family members just in case—I will also carry it all with me.
As I mentioned before, I have a bag of toys. Some one wanted to know what was in it so it has a couple books, some counting cards, a kids photo album, a car, a toy cell phone, some Disney princesses, and a stuffed animal that I plan to leave with her. I hope that she gets to keep the photo album and stuffed animal but if they disappear, I have duplicates of both at home.
I tried to be very minimal with my clothes, hair products, and make up—that is hard for me but I did good. I put in a couple different size kids clothes to see about what size she wears and I plan to leave them at the orphanage.
Other things I included in my packing are—medications, mini voice recorder for the orphanage visit, camera, portable DVD player with movies and CD’s, a few snacks, and of course my documents.—oh and of course, new money!
Two things I wish I had but don't are a video camera and a laptop--I know, I know, get into the 20th century. I will have to put them on my list for the next trip.
I also got out my boots, down coat, and hat and gloves as the forecast for next week in Krasnoyarsk is chance of snow every day with high's in the 20's and low's in the single digits.
I feel as prepared as I think I can. Now it is time to live it.

This will be my last post before leaving. I want to thank all of you for the great encouraging and happy messages I have gotten from you—it means so much to have this network of support. I don’t know when or if I will be able to blog or email while there but if I can, I will. I will definitely be thinking of you all and channeling strength from all who have gone before me on this journey, hope from all still waiting, and love from all my family and friends. Thanks also for all the prayers--I have really felt them lately. God has brought me to a really good place.

So Paka Paka for now………………