Day #2

We are in Moscow staying at a Mariott for the night. The flight was long...10+ hours, then they did a health screening before we got off. The plane was full and they took everyone's temperature via a gun-type device held close to your ear. We waited a while to get our bags and got to the hotel by 2 pm ish Moscow time.

Neither one of us slept well on the plane, so we took a little nap. Had dinner at the hotel and went for a little walk.

Tomorrow is a busy day. We go through our 4 hour many doctor physical, then take a 12 hour train ride to the region. Moscow is a bit easy...there is someone that speaks English at most places we have gone to. Pskov...not so much. We will be trying to learn a little Russian.

On Wednesday, we should be able to see Max again.

Day #1

We have arrived at my Dad's house in Darien. We hit the road around 9:45 this morning. I was ready by 9! I guess I'm finally getting excited and am still in shock that this is actually happening. We will hang out at Dad's until about 2:30 then head to the airport for our 5:25 pm flight.

Hopefully I'll be able to post while in Moscow... Until Russia then!

It's time!!!!!!

Yes! We leave tomorrow morning at 10 am! We travel to my dad's in Darien, IL. He will then take us to the airport. Our flight to Moscow leaves at 5:25 pm. We arrive in Moscow at 10am ish on the 31st.

Finally!! I cannot believe it. This process has taken soo long and I have gone through soo many emotions! Hope, excitement, anger, being bitter, and depression. I struggled this week...soo much to do...lists, shopping, cleaning, prepping while still taking care of our current family. Plus, the realization of my freedom disappearing. I really enjoyed Kelly's first full year of full day school. I got to teach at the local community college and could do basically what I wanted for a couple of hours a day. I LOVED last year!

But...it will be well worth it. AND, another opportunity/challenge to create a better balance in my life. Too often I don't take time for myself and then get resentful. I need to find a better way to do this.

I'm now up for the challenge...the challenge to do it differently! I'm finally excited. I really thought that I wouldn't be excited until Max was sitting on my lap on the plane ride home. So much in our process has gone wrong or taken the longer paths. I felt like I was waiting for something else to happen. But....we will be seeing Max soon! Spending as much time as we can with him before we bring him home. And then we will be spending a life time together!

I can't wait for this little blessing to be home!

Please stay posted...I will be updating our journey as much as I can while we are away. Hopefully we can get connected to the "net" while in region. We had a problem connecting the laptop the first time we went.

YAHOO

Week #11

Week #11 of the 92 days of summer contest has been done for a couple of days...I'm just now getting a chance to post it. This layout was inspired by a July pagemaps sketch. The sketch was an 8.5x11 2 pager that I converted. I really love how the title turned out. AND...I finally used some rub-ons...I always seem to forget about those little guys!

Also...I still cannot believe I have stayed caught up with this contest. I have week #12 photos printed out, 8 more photos to take, and 2 more layouts to finish. I hope to be finished before we leave. I plan on having the last layout done and posted before we leave. I'll fill in the final photos when we get back. Hopefully before the September 30th deadline!

5k?

Yep, we did it! We walked a 5K on Saturday morning and finished at 46 minutes 38 seconds. Last year. It was the HNI fun run. Last year we did it in 53 minutes. We were also pullng a wagon with Kelly and she was getting in and out. This year she ran/walked the whole way. We are very proud of Kelly!!!

Back to school

Kelly started school yesterday. I'm not quite sure who was more excited...her or me! I have 6 days left of "freedom". Today and next week. Then we leave for Russia and will be bringing our son home!

Kelly had a blast...she met old friends, made new friends and has a desk this year. She said her favorite part was recess! LOL!!! I bet today the favorite part will be gym. She is a VERY active little girl!

I will be taking advantage of my time getting ready for the trip. There are ton of things to get done. I have to prepare the house for the grandparents who are watching Kelly. My dad and MaryLou are coming for the first 2 weeks. Then Mike's parents come in for the next 2 weeks. All the freezers are almost full...I still need to get dog food. Many lists need to be prepared...Kelly has a busy schedule full of activities...Cheer, Dance, gymnastics, etc... Then cleaning and of course...MUCH packing. For ourselves and Max. We are leaving in 9 days....wow, I can't believe it is finally happening!

Hunting dogs...chipmunks beware!

Yep, Murphy and Tucker are hunting dogs. They both have had birds in their mouths this year and today Murphy snatched a chipmunk. Poor guy. By the time we got the boys away from the chipmunk it had lost some blood and looked like a back leg was broken. The chipmunk did make it to the safety of the brush line...but who knows if it will survive its injury. I'm not sure if the chipmunk was already injured. They have been tormenting the boys all summer, but the chipmunks have always been able to out run the boys. But not today! We have hunting dogs! LOL!!

Tucker: Murphy: