Misc.

After re-packing last night, I began re-packing again today as it was 75 in Astrakhan today! I took out sweats, a long sleeved shirt and sweat jacket and put in 3 short sleeved shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, and 2 pairs of capriis. But this messes up my "everything I've packed can be worn with either my tennis shoes I'm wearing on the flight or my brown shoes" thing, I usually wear sandals with shorts/capriis, maybe I'll buy some brown Crocs, they're very light.
I read somewhere to be prepared to answer questions during court about the recent Utah case where a boy recently adopted from Russia died. Today, while reading other blogs, I came across a YouTube link to this story, so I've included it here for anyone else headed to court soon that may need to know about it. Apparently, the father is a Russian citizen. Also, it was an independent adoption, they did not work with an agency. I guess the judge just wants to make sure that we're aware and keeping up on what's been happening in Russian International Adoption news. Anyway, it's pretty interesting; sad, but interesting.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxlbYK59EPc&feature=user

40 lbs.

Okay, I have decided that it is IMPOSSIBLE to pack less than 40 pounds for a 10 day trip. I didn't even weigh the suitcase after packing last weekend. Then tonight I decided that the weather in Astrakhan is warmer than I thought it would be, so I took out some bulky sweaters and such. Then, I cut down on things like the full bottle of shampoo, putting some in a smaller travel bottle, took out one pair (of the original 3) of PJs, took out a pair of sweats, and I believe 2 shirts. I also took out one (of the the 5) of the board books I packed to take to our visits with sister. I probably took out more that I can't remember just now, and then I weighed the suitcase.....33 pounds! The travel guide says that in-country you can only have 40 pounds of luggage, total-suitcases and carry-on. I then put the stuff I am intending to put in my carry-on in a bag and weighed that...5 pounds! And that's not including my laptop or the actual carry on backpack I'm taking. So, assuming that the laptop is at least 2 pounds, that's all I can take, which leaves no room for souveniers I buy while I'm there! Now, there's a TON of room left to put souveneirs in the suitcase, it's just that I'll be charged extra for being overweight. But, after venting about this to my husband, he simply said, oh well, then we'll just pay a few extra dollars for the weight of the souveniers, no big deal. Whewwwww! Because I AM planning on buying souveniers! :) Hello Mrs. K- yes, it's after 11pm and I am still up! (Oh C'mon, it's Friday!)

Thanks to all who have left comments! Yes, Patti, I am SO counting down the days!!! The other 5th grade teacher, Mrs. K, wrote 14 days 'till Russia in the corner of my whiteboard awhile back. Since then a boy in my class, 5W, has been changing it every morning-without being asked. Today it read 9 days 'till Russia!!! Hey kids who may be reading this while I'm gone...if I want to say something to you in the blog I'll refer to you as what you put in the top right hand corner of all your papers, for example 5W who changes the Russia countdown everyday as opposed to 5K who hates the word ginormous as much as I do! And remember you can comment (and vote) too!

Sister's First Scrapbook!

I'm so excited! A friend of the family, whose wife is from Russia (not far from Astrakhan in fact) just left. She was here translating the scrapbook I made to leave with sister in between our two trips. It turned out great!!! She took so much time to do it just right, even looked up words to be sure they would be in the right context, etc. I've decided I can't risk it getting lost when we leave it with sister, so I'm going to scan all of the pages and put them in another small scrapbook to take. It'll look just the same, but we'll have the original to save for her forever.

All My Checklists

What did I do this weekend? Made lots of checklists! A checklist of things to pack, a checklist of documents that still need to be attended to in some way, a list of meals for the next two weeks, a grocery list for those meals, a list of 'things to remember to take to school on Monday', a list of what my mom needs to do each day she's with the boys, and the beginning of a list for my substitute for my fifth grade class while I'm gone!!! Luckily, the grocery list has been all checked off, the packing list is quite close, the documents list is just where is should be to be finished in time, my mom's list changes daily as soccer rain out make up games keep coming in e-mails and baseball practices are 'maybe going to be on Mondays, but we're not sure yet', I remembered all but one thing I was supposed to take to school today (an empty milk jug!) and the sub list is about as far as it can be right now too. Seeing everything get checked off little by little helps me see that yes, this is really going to happen! I will meet my little girl two weeks from today!!! Yay!

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Hurry, Hurry, Hurry

Whewww, we've done a lot in a short amount of time. There has been a lot of last minute paperwork to do. We got fingerprinted at the police station yesterday and mailed that off to the FBI today. We have doctor appointments scheduled and paperwork being filled out at the boys' doctor's office. Today we got the 'official' travel dates of April 18th through April 27th so it's time to fill out Visa applications. All of this needs to be ready by my class' field trip to Jeff City on April 16 so I can get it all apostilled while we're there.
I know it's crzay, but I was a little disappointed to find out that I had to leave on the 18th; we thought I'd be leaving the 19th. The 18th the boys are in the talent show at school. They, and I, have worked pretty hard on putting the act together and I hate to miss it. It's also my fifth grade class' DARE graduation that day, another thing I wanted to be around for. Hopefully I can get someone to video both of these things for me.
So, be sure to log on every day from April 18-April 27 to hear about our trip to meet 'sister'! Thanks to all who have voted so far! Wade has picked out his favorite name and says that it doesn't matter how the vote turns out; Daddy's vote overrides all others. But keep voting anyway; it's fun for me to watch!