So Much to Do...

I love that I am leaving Monday am, BUT, I have soooo much to do. Documents to get notarized, some to get picked up from the accountant, others to locate and make copies of, I-846 to fill out since Bob is not coming with me. That is why I have so many "other" documents, since my dh is not traveling with me and he hasn't "laid eyes" on Anah, I have to get all kinds of proof that he is who he says he is and that he has ok'd me to bring her home!

I have to repack. I think I'm WAY over the weight limit. I wouldn't mind paying the extra $25, wouldn't even hesitate, BUT they say they can refuse any baggage that is overweight. I'm sure they probably don't, not if you're willing to pay, but I'm NOT willing to take that risk with the only suitcase I have, it has EVERYTHING in it! I still have my two carry ons, with anything Anah and I will need if our luggage gets lost, but all the gifts and clothes are in there (minus one outfit each packed in carry on). I can't put any more in carry on because I have to carry my CPAP, converter, adapter, computer, camera, documents and money in my carry ons, as well as a couple snacks etc. Those will be heavy too! So, I'll repack the gift bags I was going to bring the caregivers, and take out lotions and heavier things. It shouldn't be much of a problem coming home, I will have gifts in it, but I also have Anah's little suitcase on wheels packed in there. It's more like a backpack on wheels, I don't want to check it in separately because I'm afraid it will get broken, it's only a lightweight little thing for her to carry her "things" in so she will feel like a big girl and can pull her luggage like mama. Plus I will have a hard enough time juggling a big suitcase and two carry ons! My joint pain and muscle weakness won't tolerate too much as it is, and more than that will put me over the edge I think, lol. I plan on using the sky cab from gate to gate and luggage carts, but the fewer things I have to keep track of, the better!

My dad let me borrow his camera, so I'll be able to get pics and post them (hopefully). I'm borrowing my son's lap top so I'll have computer access, I use a PC at home. I am hoping to visit a friend's daughter while I'm over there. T is bringing home N from VN, hopefully the beginning of 2009. She has asked if I can bring N a care package, I would LOVE to!! She is in an orphanage about an hour from Hanoi, where I will be staying, so that is perfect! I am hoping to get many pics of N for T and a couple of Anah and N together! It would have been awesome if we could travel together to pick up our girls, but things didn't work out that way. So, I get to go love on T's daughter for her and bring her some love from Momma and her family. N. was actually one of the little girls with DS that we had considered adopting at the same time as Anah, but since we had already started Anah's adoption and would have to change so much, two different agencies, etc., we prayed about it and decided that God was showing us to give some one on one time to Anah. Within a day or so of deciding that, and still praying for her, T. had decided that she was to be N's Momma! God knew all along. That is how T. and I got in contact. Anyway, that's one of the journey's I pray I get to take while I'm over in VN. It will depend upon my translator and helper over there if it's doable, but Lord willing, it will be!

Please pray that we can get all our paperwork/appointments over with easily and quickly, if so, we get to come home earlier, if there are flights available. Otherwise, we will be home late on the 23rd. There will be one tired/jet lagged Momma and little girl for Christmas, that's for sure! But praise God, we'll all be together for Christmas! I can't tell you how blessed I will feel to have my children home with us! I will miss our church's Christmas program, but since I'm not leaving until Monday I get to go to our ladies Christmas luncheon on Saturday. My mom comes with me each year, it's really a lot of fun and a blessing to us both. Mom and Dad will come over for Christmas dinner. I had planned on our typical ham and mashed potatoes, but do be honest, I don't think I'll be up for cooking. I know it's not hard, but I want to baby myself a bit after I get home. With my Lupus I know my body will be stressed with the trip, jet lag, different food, running around, etc. and I don't want to add anything else to it that I don't have to. I don't want to start Anah's life in the US with her family with a Momma with a flare up! So, Mom suggested we just have cold cuts and make mini subs. I know that's not a traditional Christmas dinner, but hey, it's easy, people can help themselves and I don't have to cook or stress over a meal. People can eat as they feel hungry and we can just hang around and get to know Anah a bit better, without the stress of a big meal. I wonder if any one else has ever done anything like that after bringing a new little one home? Not necessarily with a meal, but just a change from tradition to try and make things a bit easier for a while?

I really have to get busy now, still have to do the tree, as well as all the other Christmas decorations. Clean the house, make sure everything is set for the guys while I'm gone, and still do school, run errands etc... Ok, I just made myself tired, maybe a little nap first.... ;o) Just kidding!