Six Days

It's surreal that we're leaving in 6 days!  I don't feel ready at all.  I have lists and piles and suitcases everywhere.  I'm excited about how our travel plans worked out.  We are leaving a day early and spending a quick 24 hours in London.  My dad really wants Cade to experience it.  He's in a stage where he talks in an English accent all the time [Cade, not my dad] and he wants to visit 221B Baker Street [Sherlock Holmes].  It'll be a fun little excursion before we get down the the main event!

I've been complacent, though, thinking I only need to pack for Cade, E, and myself.  No biggie compared to getting all six of us ready to be gone from home for a week and a half last time.  Wellllll, decided a few days ago that we're sending the girls to Clovis for about five days while I'm gone.  My awesome mom is taking them during her spring break! They're excited, but now I've got to get them all ready to go, too.  I'm once again packing and planning for six.  

The logistics of it all really are mind boggling.  I'm planning out all of the meals for Justin and the kids while I'm gone and prepping and freezing what I can.  Finding childcare and figuring out how's he going to juggle law school, work, homeschooling, practices, church stuff, sleep, and games.  Putting our schedule on paper made me feel a little better about being exhausted and rushed all the time.  Good grief we're busy!

My brother, Jon, who has a donkey named after me [long story] will be interested to find out that I'm a mule on this trip.  That's what Brighton Their World calls people who take formula to Ethiopia for them.  I'm carrying about 25 pounds to a state run orphanage. I'm glad to be able to help!

I'm looking forward to cutting the red ribbon off of my wrist.  I've been wearing it since last summer to remind me to pray for Little E and other adoptive families.  The idea came from an ancient Chinese proverb that says "A red thread connects those who are destined to meet. The thread may tangle or stretch but it will never break.”  It's gotten kind of frayed, dull, and worn.  Kind of reminds me of how I have felt at many points in the adoption process.

I don't think we could have gotten through the rough patches without the unwavering support of our family and friends.  So many times over the past month I've been struck by how many people care for Little E.  He has no idea how loved he already is!  He's a very blessed little guy.  I have heard continuously from people who are praying for him and us and are interested in the process.  It's been uplifting and encouraging.

We'll be flying into the Albuquerque airport on the evening of Friday, March 25.  If you want to be part of our greeting committee and meet E before we go into seclusion for two or three weeks, let me or Justin know and we'll get you the details.  It's gonna be epic.