Mi Vida Loca

Ok - well, we're still processing the reality that all hurdles have been successfully...well, hurdled.

But I've received tons of well-wishing e-mails and comments and I just want to give a huge thank you for all the support and sincere warmth that you have all sent our way this last twenty four hours. It's been so wonderful to read such heartfelt comments from you. What a joy!

Meanwhile, I did have a couple questions that I wanted to answer for all the curious souls tuning in:

1. When are you going and when will you be back? We need details!

Our travel has been booked and we leave May 17th and return the 28th. AB and I are truly looking forward to a sweet time for the three of us to get to know each other - tucked away thousands of miles from our daily life and cell phones, e-mails, text messages, and WORK. Cocooned from the daily grind and enjoying 10 days to soak up our sweet boy and memorize the details of his face while we learn how to be his parents. There is a permeating emotion in our home of urgency to find ourselves on the plane to Ethiopia. We are ready to meet our son!

2. When will you actually get Quint in your arms?

Gotcha Day will be May 19th. Mark it on your Gotcha Calendars!

3. Are you taking a laptop to blog? Don't leave us hanging!

Well, we are taking a laptop - but I've heard that internet is limited at best. If there is a way to post from Ethiopia, I will find it. We will only know when we get there and can access our situation. Unlike China, we will not be staying in a hotel, but rather a guest house a short distance from the orphanage.

4. Can you PLEASE post a picture of Quint now?!? You're killing us...seriously!

My poor blogger peeps - you're so visual! I can't blame you - I'm the same way. But alas, I cannot post his picture until we have him in our custody. Though he is legally ours, it is not our own adoption we will hurt now. It is the process for others. I would never risk that for anything. Legally, I don't understand all the implications or reasons for the air-tight security, but we must abide the rules - and I know you would not have me do any less.

5. Are you ready to go? What all do you have to do?

Well, ready is such an ugly word. Ha! PRESSURE! We are not ready to leave, if we had to leave tomorrow. We have many things to tie up and to ensure before we can take a breathe. I think the breathe will come when we're on the plane and it is what it is. A friend called today and said "are you packing yet?" We laughed, but it's not that far off. Packing for a trip like this requires detail and thought out lists - something I am well versed in. AB - not so much. Being the world traveler of the two of us, he's much more likely to throw a back pack over his shoulder and say "I'm ready!". The bottom line is that we have a lot to do and a short amount of time to do it in, given our work schedules, impending travel unrelated to Africa, and busy calendar. But, I AM confident it will all come together. It always does...

So there you have it! That's the latest - we're just wrapping up our travel arrangements and confirming our tickets. Then it's on to more important details like "what will I have Quint wear?" Tee hee!

Shout out to Valerie - traveling to China to get her little pumpkin, Aubriana, this coming Sunday! Wowza! Watch her blog for a feel good (and hilarious) interpretation of another family being formed! Love ya V!