The people that got us through

It's that time again. Time for the weekly update. This week's update is brought to you by...me. I type it so there.

I find it best that you grab yourself a nice glass of wine for this one. First, it may be a long one. And second, if you are anything like me you will need a drink. Wow, that might be insinuating that I have a drinking problem. In fact I do. I have no glass of wine sitting in front of me at the moment. (college humor: substitute wine for beer and no glass for one in each hand and you get the oldest college joke in the book)

I have quite a bit to write about so get comfy.

As far as agency info goes there really isn't much. We currently have 2 families in Khab doing their medical trip. The first is the oh so well known Doug & Candy. The second is the beautiful and vivacious Lisa W. If any of you read this I expect a full report on your children upon your return home.

I did get our paperwork sent off to the agency yesterday. I still have not heard if Olga received it or not. Of course the smart person would check the $40 FedEx tracking number. But let's face it people, I am working with limited brain capacity here.

Tuesday I purchased our airline tickets. I about had a heart attack when I had to hand over the credit card number on that one. Nothing like 2 1/2 weeks notice to fly international to jack up the price. For those of you who are truly interested you can check out our itinerary at Suzanne's website. This is the couple we will be traveling with. They live up by the Canadian border (lucky) and I can't wait to meet them!

We are fortunate enough that we will be home for Easter and in Russia for Orthodox Easter. This lessened the stress upon my good friend I. We were all a little concerned that we wouldn't be home for Easter causing 2 fewer bodies in the kitchen at the church that morning. Mmmm Pancakes!! We are still contemplating the possibility of attending service in Khabarovsk. I did do some reading on the service today. There are no pews in an Orthodox Cathedral (I knew that.) The service can run up to 3 hours long (I knew that too.) But here is what I didn't know, The service starts right after midnight on Easter. So we would start flying at 7:15pm on Thursday, stop flying at 4:20pm Saturday (sure we lose a day flying, but hey... it's my story.) Then we get to the hotel, have some food and maybe a nap, turn around and attend a 3 hour long church service while standing the entire time. I am thinking the babushkas will have to settle for me buying some icons later in the week.

The remainder of our 2 weeks until travel look like the following:

Tomorrow: Both have eye appointments in the morning, drive to Seattle to drop our Visa applications and passports off at the travel agent and pick up our plane tickets, stop for a quick lunch at Dicks. (yes, the famous Dick's, from the Sir-Mix-a-Lot song... "Go back the other way, we'll stop and eat at Dick's. Guess you have to be me.) Then head to downtown Seattle to pick up the expensive hair conditioner and skin cream. Drive back to Tacoma to be at the church at 6:15 to take our Sr. High youth on an all night lock out.

Saturday: Sleep, have dinner with Kathou and Paypay. Celebrate Paypay's birthday since they will be in Russia for it.
Sunday: Church in the am. D has his first softball game in the afternoon.
Monday, Tuesday: attempt life as normal
Wednesday: That one is a surprise. Check out Life of Elle sometime around the middle of next week.
Thursday: D's sister, niece and BIL arrive from CA. Maunday Thursday.
Friday: Good Friday.
Saturday: Tell everyone we are going to Easter Vigil service, but really end up hanging out at D's parent's house.
Easter Sunday: Easter breakfast with the youth. Ring handbells 2 services, visit my grandparents and dinner with D's parent's.
Monday - Thursday: PANIC.

Sleep is going to be a luxury at this point.

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful good wishes over the past 5 weeks. From the loss of A, to the referral of Pickle, to the excitement of travel. You have all been fantastic! I also want to thank those of you who have donated to "The Pickle Fund." I have been just so overwhelmed by your generosity. If any of you decide to do adoption fundraising please let me know. I would be happy to contribute in some way.

I have much, much more on my mind, but I think that I will save that for another post. Despite the limited brain capacity I still lay awake at night and think of stuff. In all reality I should just get up and write it down, but who am I kidding. It is cold outside of the bed.

Congrats to you newly home families (Lauri) and to those of you getting ready to come home (Jason & Melissa). Safe travels to those of you getting ready (Gaye & Andrew, Caroline & Blake.) And huge hugs to those of you still waiting. May your waits be shortened and all your pain be champagne.