All our bags are packed...

...we're ready to go! We're leaving on a jet plane, don't know when we'll be back again... (are you singing along?)
We did it! We are carrying on (at least on American. They're too big for British Air, but that's ok).
2 roller bags
1 backpack (which also holds my purse)
1 laptop

And, no, we will not be carrying-on on our return flight. :) We are hoping the Lord will provide us with something else to fill our arms!

...our jet plane leaves in ONE DAY! (Saturday)

Texas Blizzard

We got a little taste of Ukraine's weather today! I got to try out my boots, and they stood the test. :)
Here are the boys with some of our neighbors. Nothing like building a snowman 2 days before daylight savings (crazy!)

This time next week...

It just occurred to me that this time next week, we will have had our appointment at the SDA in Kiev, and will be making travel arrangements to go meet our little one! Wow!
Also - we borrowed a phone from a sweet blog friend, and we now have our Ukrainian phone number (thanks Stephanie!) It's listed in the column on the right...
You can also use this number to text us for free from the KyivStar link (also in the right column). Wait until we get there, though! hehe!

To Highest Bidder

9-year-0ld Miniature Pinscher named Daisy
Here is a list of things she NEVER does...

- dig out from under the fence - and NEVER when it's been raining, which would get her covered in mud
- and even IF she WAS covered in mud, she would NEVER roll around on the carpet
- ignore you when you call her to come inside and stop barking at the neighbors
- pull obnoxiously on her leash when you try to walk her, embarrassing you to the point where you wouldn't even want to walk her
- bite your favorite babysitter, who would then never return
- growl at her owners every night when it's time to go into her kennel
- PP and poo poo on the floor occasionally, and NEVER when you are really stressed about something (like packing for a really long adoption trip)
- leave poo poo somewhere where you might step in it without knowing, then walk all over the carpet, leaving poo poo prints...followed by you sitting on your knees, resulting in poo poo being transferred from the bottom of your shoe to the butt of your cream-colored cords (which you would not know about it until your friend points it out on the way to dinner!)

It's hard to put a price on a dog like this! She is truly one-of-a-kind. Knowing that we will get multiple offers for such a dog, I suggest you act fast! If you act now, you will also receive a free kennel, lease, and food/water bowls.
Happy Bidding! :)

Here is the picture of her from our adoption "Family Book"

Overwhelmed!

I want to make it clear that I am NOT complaining here, I am simply pointing out some of the stressers involved with getting ready to go to Ukraine. I don't want to sound like I'm whining, because I know there are many reading this right now that are WAITING to travel to find their children and would LOVE to be leaving on Saturday! But I want to mention what it's like getting ready for such a trip...so maybe you can plan ahead and your last few days of preparation will be full of nice long lazy days with the ones you love! (Ha - dream on! :)

1 - there always seems to be "just one more document" to notarize! We even have one that has to be apostilled, so I'm flying to Austin tomorrow to get that done.
2 - for some reason, it is impossible to go to a store of any kind and not forget at least one item on your list...resulting in a list of random items you need from about 5 different places.
3 - it is VERY difficult to sleep well. My poor husband has just been waking up at 4:50am all week for no apparent reason. Your mind is always racing with stuff that needs to be done. If you mind ISN'T racing, you're wondering what you are fogetting.
4 - Don't underestimate the stress of getting ready for a trip like this (a LONG trip like this) compounded by the uncertainty of the whole Ukraine adoption process. My friend Amy is leaving for China next week for her adoption, and I think - what bliss to JUST get ready for your trip, without all of the unpredictablility of Ukraine adoption. (funny that that is one of the things that drew us to Ukraine in the first place! :)We are trusting in the Lord - it's all we can do!
5 - You will be tempted to just forget everything and just spend time with friends and family. You just can't start preparing too early!

Everyone asks us - "Are you just SO excited?"
The answer is yes, but only when my head is clear of all the clutter long enough to think! I will be most excited when everything is done, the sad goodbyes to the boys have been said, we have made our flight, and actually get to SIT down on the plane! Can't wait! :)

Vote!

Although I'm having a hard time caring about the election right now with all that is going on this week...I will make time tomorrow to vote! Did you see the Democrat turn out for early voting? It was like 6 times the Republican turnout. Crazy! I guess that tends to happen with a close race. I'm having a hard time getting excited about McCain, therefore a hard time getting excited about the election. But that isn't really the point. The point is that there are people all over this world that have no say-so in who runs their government, they are not free to elect anyone. This is not the case in our country because people die EVERYDAY protecting us, and all the rights that go with freedom. One of the most powerful aspects of our freedom is our right to vote. I will honor the men and women who protect this right by EXCERCISING it in major elections. It's just the right thing to do.
Enough soap box. Off to bed I go!

(wow - a whole post without mentioning the adoption! We can't have that, now can we? so I'll add this...

Our adoption trip begins in 4 days!!!

The Weekend in Pictures

Friday night at Incredible Pizza Universe...

Here is Grant bowling a strike! (I think... :)

They love miniature golf.

Saturday's indoor campout was a big hit. Here's our super-healthy Chicken Express picnic. Mmmmmm.
Such cutie-pies...
Fireplace S'Mores are just as good as Campfire S'mores!

Such angels when they sleep! (notice all the Webkinz that joined in the fun? :)
Sunday lunch at Mom and Dad's...
Cousins!
Garrett had a BIG basketball game today - he scored the first time ever - and TWICE! He is one of the youngest and smallest on his team, so this was a huge feat. He was SO proud - and so were we! What a great going away gift for us to get to be there for this big accomplishment!