Keeping Busy

I'm really having a hard time focusing on school, and it really annoys me to sit around and DO nothing. To help pass the time I started packing yesterday. I got out one of the small suitcases that can double as a carry-on and started putting all of the do-dads and supplies we have accumulated for Grace into the suitcase. We will have her with us for about 8 days, so we need toys, emergency meds., and necessities. So far we have undershirts in pastel colors, tiny little printed underwear, pull-ups, socks, tights, a toothbrush, child-safe toothpaste, clear children's motrin, rainbow colored band-aids, a first aid kit, children's vitamins, a paint by water book, bubbles, a beachball, furry lamb slippers, glow bracelets, a travel baby toiletries kit, a touch and feel book, play-doh, flavored chapstick, lacing cards, a push and go tiger/car, tiny posable dolls, furry velcro pets, a pair of sunglasses, 2 magnetic "sticker" books, crayons, a coloring book, stickers, 3 dresses, 3 pant outfits, a coat, hat, gloves, and her furry bear backpack...I also ordered two toys that should be here this week...a rain stick and magnetic pattern blocks.

This week we are shopping for a car seat and shoes and signing/notarizing the final documents for our visa appointment...in between meeting with the construction crew. Our new siding and windows were supposed to be completed before school started, so they aren't on schedule, but the crew of 6 or 7 made huge progress today. We are hoping they are finished by Thursday since we think we are going to head to Alabama to see Blaise run in regionals on Friday. We know it will be more difficult to travel after she gets home, so we really want to try to see this last cross country race.

I also contacted the superintendent today to find out what options I have for taking a leave. Ideally, I will take the rest of the semester off with full pay :-) ...It might end up being 12 weeks of FMLA and the remainder unpaid, though, which will be fine.

We want to be ready to leave any time especially since I read another family's adoption blog and they got 3 days notice to travel on the second trip! I would not be able to sleep at all if we were leaving in 72 hours..