Getting Ready...to Wait

Over the weekend, we traveled to Oxford, Mississippi to watch Blaise run, but the meet was cancelled because of rain. Blaise was so disappointed because this would have been the first time since high school that Adam and Vince would have been able to see him run cross country and probably the last time since this is his last season. Adam arranged to be off work and Vince drove home from Marion, Indiana and met us in Effingham. We made the best of it, though. Blaise joined us since this is his fall break, so we ate at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston and even stopped in Cairo to see the confluence of the rivers on our way home. It seemed like a mini family vacation. All of the boys were talking and laughing and trying to decide which superpower would be the best one to have. They even sang their own rendition of "Father Abraham" (complete with motions) for inclusion in the family video I am making for Gracie to see when we pick her up. It is hilarious. On our way home we stopped in Effingham to say good-bye, since Blaise and Adam are going to spend the next few days with Vince. I'm sure they are having a ball right now in Indiana.

We also marked another "must have" off our list on the way home. We found a backpack for Gracie! We want to give her something to carry her special things in when we go to the Visa interview and on the flight home. We thought it might make her feel safer. This backpack is a padded bear that is soft enough to use as a pillow, but can hold a book, crayons, pretzels, some little Polly Pocket dolls (Melanie told me these were essential toys for a 4 year old girl.), a sticker book, comb, chap stick, and any other "important" things she might want.

I also just ordered her a pair of slippers that look like a lamb and a little dress from L.L. Bean. Somehow buying a few things for her makes me feel like I am doing something to speed up the process. We are still waiting to hear that we have a court date. In the meantime, check out this cute backpack...