May 30, 2008

It Hasn't Quite Sunk In Yet

But I think it will very, very soon, that we leave in 51 hours and 20 minutes! Yesterday was my last day working in the NYC office and as a well wishes/send-off into mommyhood they organized a luncheon for me and another colleague who is expecting in June. They gave Ash some really adorable clothes and a colorful wood stacking toy that he's going to love playing with. They also pooled an extremely generous amount for us to bring with to Addis Ababa to purchase things for the orphanage. An amount that is going to go a really long way towards the purchase of cloth diapers, medicines, baby formula, clothing, and other high need items. We've been the grateful recipients of such gifts from quite a few friends and family and can't wait to bring everything over to the House of Hope. Several CHI families have sent us some much-needed boys clothing and several donations have come in the form of a monetary gift, so we will be able to purchase the items in Ethiopia which will help support the local economy. Thank you to everyone who has given. And thank you to our luggage manufacturers for creating large duffel bags with very strong zippers.

Our order from diapers.com arrived with Born Free bottles and sippy cups and about a one months supply of gDiapers. That completes the "necessities" on our list, which means that now we get to start thinking about how we're going to occupy ourselves on the 13 hour trip to Dubai and then the 4 hour flight to Addis. If the past few nights are any indication I highly doubt that sleeping will be an option (I've felt a bit like a first grade girl the night before her first day of school every day for about a week!) so we're gathering some reading selections and relying on Emirates Air movie selections to pass the time.

I'm currently reading What is the What by Dave Eggers (author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) which is a fictionalized memoir about a Sudanese refugee who makes his way through Ethiopian and Kenyan refugee camps, and then finds himself in America struggling to find fulfillment. I'm about half way through and imagine I'll finish this one in the first hour or two of the flight. And for a complete change of pace I also have The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert (Author of Eat, Pray, Love) which is the story of a man who lives in a tepee in the wilderness full-time by the time he is 30, and according to Publishers Weekly Gilbert "paints a complicated portrait of American maleness that is as original as it is surprising." Can't wait to read it.

OK the more I write the more it sinks in. And the more time passes - we're now down to 50 hours and 40 minutes!

5 comments:

Cloverland Farm said...

i can't imagine being where you are right now!!! so stinkin' exciting. you'll be on our minds all week. have an amazing time. blessings and more blessings!!!
laura

Dan, Misty & Ashar said...

EEEKKKK!!! I am so excited for you guys! I can't believe it's this close! I didn't mention this before (cuz I was a few days behind on blogging) but I loved your adoption story! I was thinking how it's so cool that we all got here in different ways. Have an AWESOME trip! Can't wait to see the first family picture:)

Brooke said...

Oooooh, I have the chills! I'm so excited for you guys. The time is ticking down.

Hopefully you can get a little sleep the next two nights. It must be hard!

Anonymous said...

I just look forward to reading your blog every day Jo! I can't even immagine the wonderful feelings of anticipation that you are having right now! You are just 3 days away from holding your son in your arms! Nothing is more amazing than that! So glad to hear all the necessities arrived on time! I will be available for any late night/ last minute calls shall you need anything :-) As always we will pray for your safe travels, and health for all 3 of you!!! Can't wait to get the 1st picture of the 3 of you together!!!
Love you all! Janelle

anna and ben said...

the flight will go so much faster than you think and the emirates staff is so nice and helpful, you'll really enjoy it. the long/hard part is being in dubai unless you are planning on leaving the hotel. our layover was 12 hours on christmas eve and so we decided to tough it out in the waiting area. it's by far the smokiest airport i've ever been too. so just prepare yourself for that, and good luck! you'll have a great trip and i highly recommend treating yourself to one lunch/ice-cream at the sheraton. have a great trip and good luck meeting your son!