Flip Flops with Socks

My emotions have been like a roller coaster the past couple of days. It's been coming in waves. Not waves like certain emotions coming and going, but like when you drink something really warm and you can feel it going all the way down. It's a physical reaction to the emotions. Pacing from room to room going over lists in my head of things I still need to do before we leave has been a favorite lately.

Last night I went to the mall to get a new pair of jeans. It appears that I have split the crotch on all of my jeans with all of this "paper pregnancy" weight I put on this winter. Now that I have lost the weight, I felt like I deserved some new clothes. That was the plan anyways. Apparently, the style I like is no longer available in stores and can only be ordered on line. Even if I paid for "overnight" shipping, they still wouldn't arrive before we leave.

I feel like I am rambling about things no one would care about. I think I am just trying to get some of the things swirling in my mind out of my mind. Then maybe I can focus on the important things? Just bare with me.

We leave Friday morning and we meet Ben on Sunday. I had my fingers and toes done today. In my head, I thought that if I look pretty, maybe he will like me? Haircut tomorrow. So silly, huh?

I spoke with a friend today and she said that he has probably never seen anyone that looked like us. She thought it was a good idea if I tried to dress like the women there do. Even so, I refuse to wear socks with flip-flops. That just goes against everything I believe in.

I tried it out. This is not happening.

Oh, I can't forget to mention that on top of everything between work and traveling, my daughter got her driver's permit yesterday. Going from one who is driving to one in a car seat. Oy Vey!

I probably wont blog again until we arrive in China. If I have done everything correctly, I should be able to have access. If not, my friend Melissa has agreed to keep everyone posted and I can just email her directly. Most of my updates (hopefully) will be through pictures.

Calm Before the Storm

We are traveling in six days and I can hardly believe it.  As crazy as the entire process has been, I have a weird calm this past week. I started to try to count the emotions we've experienced on this journey as a family and it was overwhelming.

I have done my best to pack my schedule and keep as busy as possible, while J has stepped in to book the air fair.  This week we celebrated Payton's 15th birthday (twice), celebrated Ben's 4th birthday, worked, cleaned the garage, filmed for Pawn Stars, went to Nashville for the Vandy game, and Payton has her Homecoming dance tonight! I am hoping that keeping busy will help the time pass by faster.

Remaining items on my To-do list:

Walgreens trip (There is a long list of over-the-counter meds that are strongly suggested you bring with you).
Pack
Prepare gift bags for the SWI
Pick up Payton's game she pre-ordered from Game Stop
Shut down the pool for the winter
Get my fingers done and toes did


This week's recap:

Payton's Hair for Homecoming

Payton's hair an hour later (BEFORE the dance!) But, I enjoy naps too

And Payton with her date, Andy.

Some of the goodies for the gifts I will be bringing for Ben's caregivers (Candies, chocolates, candles, homemade bars of soap, lotions, and other stuff)

Cory and me after filming for  Pawn Stars

J and me at one of our favorite places to eat in Nashville

Happy Birthday to the most amazing daughter!

Happy Birthday my Beautiful Boy Ben!

Midnight showing of Gravity in 3D

Consulate Appointment Confirmed!

Today was a great day. We received the email telling us that our requested Consulate Appointment has been approved! Now we get to book plane tickets and go get our son, Ben, in 11 days. ELEVEN DAYS! This has been such a long journey, I can hardly believe it is real! Someone pinch me please?

It's happy dance time! After I read my email, I did the happy dance all the way through the office. I got a screen shot of myself in action. Oh, what? You think I'm joking? Nope!

See the red arrow? That's me gettin' down!

Our appointment has been confirmed for October 29th. This means we will most likely be heading home on October 31st, which of course you know is also Halloween! J will be at the airport with four of Ben's brothers and sisters to pick us up. I suggested that it might not be a good idea for the kids to be dressed in their Halloween costumes when they come to pick us up. Can you imagine? Big signs and posters broadcasting "Welcome Home Ben" being help by a bunch of zombies and witches? Poor little guy.