Somebody say "72 hours"

Somebody said to me tonight "what is your current level of excitement". I had to think about it. I know that somewhere inside I'm brimming with excitement - but I haven't allowed myself time to process it. I've been busy with chores, tasks, lists, packing (actually...haven't done that yet), more lists, and appointments, etc. that I've successfully kept my actual excitement at bay. Don't get me wrong. It's in there. It is! But I can only hold so much in my tank and at some points I have to let the excitement go long enough to accomplish what I need to do.

Sometimes it hits me like "WOW! I'm going to Africa! - what an adventure". Other times it's more like "yowza...can't wait until we're back at home". Some times it's "jeesh, not so thrilled about this but gotta get my little man home" and other times it's like "this is going to be the trip of a lifetime (right along side China)". So I go back and forth. Emotionally, it's a little bit chaotic. You're up and down, and back around, and low and high, and back and forth. It's crazy - I cannot even lie. You have high moments where you are like "get me on that friggin plane!" and others where you feel like "come on May 28th!" Regardless, that's all about the trip - not anything to do with Quint.

Some days I wonder if I can do this (little late, eh?) and some days I'm RARING to go. Most days - raring. Some days - iffie. Adoptive Moms-to-be, you'll totally get what I'm saying the minute it's on you.

As I type this, AB is installing the carseat in my car, the pets are happily snoring on the rug, and I am comforted by my wireless internet connection, a cup of ice water, and air conditioning. In a few days, all the comforts of home and my pets, my warm and fluffy bed and cool house, my car and knowledge of my whereabouts, my blanket of familiarity and the luxuries of safe water and predictable meals will be thousands of miles away. All that will remain are my suitcase, the stability of my husband's love and his knowledge of world travel, and the burning desire to see and hold Quint in my arms. All else will fade in that moment of truth. I'm pretty certain that the phrase "home is where your family is" will never be more true than 72 hours from now.

As promised, some pictures of Quint's room. We're quite happy with it, though it's still a bit of a work in progress. It's definitely ready for him - and the only things needed are aesthetic. I'm still gathering last minute things together, but at this point it's sink or swim. I'm on a plane at 8am Saturday morning. If I've forgotten something at that point - it's a little late to worry about it.

*note the globe is set to Africa...