Friday, August 18, 2006



High Chairs waiting.
Crib ready.
Toddler bed ready.
Suitcases waiting to go.....

Thursday August 17th.......Here it is at last!

Well, here we are. The bags are packed, labels written, ride to the airport arranged, kids asleep.......we leave for Ethiopia TOMORROW afternoon! I simply cannot believe it. Words can not describe the emotions rushing through me as I think of the next few days.

I am tired as I haven't slept very well, too excited I guess, and really, really anxious. So, I'm going to call my mum in the UK..now awake and waiting to say goodbye to me...and then I'm heading to bed (to sleep, perchance to dream) Maybe I will get a chance to update this from Ethiopia. I hope so.

Bye for now......

Monday, August 14, 2006

The Big Day Approaches...

It has been quite a stressful week around here. As we are flying through Heathrow on BA, I was saddened to hear about the latest terrorist threats and as a result, the huge congestion and cancellation of flights.
In addition, the thought of flying without hand luggage with all our children was daunting. Thankfully, it looks like things MAY be easing a little and we might be allowed one piece of carry on. I can't imagine coming home with my 2 new little ones without anything to keep them occupied for the 25+ hours of travel.

Other things seem to be going well, I haven't started packing yet, which may horrify some people, but it will get done when it needs to get done. We leave on Friday afternoon and fly out on the first leg of our huge family adventure into London, Heathrow.
I have lain awake at nights just wondering about the emotions that will surge through me when I first see my babies. What will I do? What will they do? I can not imagine that feeling of holding them close for the very first time, saying "hi", looking into their eyes, kissing their little cheeks and holding tiny hands. Dave said that he will be crying his eyes out, so will I, which will leave Erin, Meg and Josh to take pictures and capture essential moments for us.

Clothes are bought and waiting to be packed, baby monitors are charged up and ready, crib and toddler bed are made up with bedding to snuggle down into, a double stroller is just waiting to take little ones for a walk, safety gates are in place, car seats are installed (almost..at least they are sitting in the crawl space out of the boxes and waiting to be strapped into the van), high chairs are in position next to our kitchen table...have I forgotten anything? Oh, diapers...LOTS of diapers!

This week is a getting ready and leaving week, I thought it would never come and here it is..sailing past at such a fast pace...before I know it I will be back and posting pictures of our new and expanded family...but for now I will carry on sorting out the awesome pile of donations that we have to take. people have been so very kind, thanks to all who have donated things for the kids in Ethiopia.