The Abraham Family’s Journey to Russia to Bring Home Their Daughter

November 25, 2008

Counting down!

One week from today Martin and I will be in court asking a Russian judge to declare us the parents of a 14 month old little girl. We leave in three days. Three days!

There are a few odds and ends that I still need to purchase for our trip. I want to finish up the shopping tomorrow, because the next day is Thanksgiving and the day after that is Black Friday. I don't want to be anywhere near Walmart on Friday. So, it's tomorrow or it will have to wait until we get to Russia!

I work for an amazingly family friendly company (even though they don't offer adoption benefits despite all my efforts ... grrrrrr). I'm taking some FMLA time off work when we get back so I had to clean and organize my desk and file a stack of paperwork before I left the office today. You know, just in case someone actually needs to find something in there while I'm out.

The ladies in Corporate Legal that will be backing me up while I am on leave have been so supportive. One of them is an adoptive mom whose daughter is from China. She has given me lots of great advice about what questions to ask at the orphanage and what things to bring and keep sakes to purchase. What's great about her advice is that she knows first hand about how the things she didn't really think were important at the time when they were bringing home an eight month old baby mean so much to her now teenager daughter. It was nice for her to share a perspective that can only otherwise be gained through years of experience.

My boss has been cheering us on this whole time too -- and this is the 5th time in the ten years since he has been my boss that I have taken FMLA leave. Just for the record... in case anyone is wondering... THIS, my friends, co-workers and boss, will be the LAST time!

A big Kudos goes out to all our friends for signing up to take care of/entertain our boys for the first five days of our trip before they travel to meet us in Moscow. We've got quite a busy schedule planned and I honestly can't thank my friends enough! We discovered on our last trip that the boys didn't miss us nearly as much when they were busy hanging out with their buddies. Even though Liam did just fine last time, I still worry him the most. Martin and I went to the Titans games on Sunday (sans kids) and Liam told me that night that I had been gone too long without him. :( I have to remember that this is the child who when I called home on our first trip and he was asked if he wanted to talk to mom, he said "Naa" and then jumped into the pool.

Well, I didn't mean to ramble on and on. Especially when I should be going to bed so I can get up at 'em early in the morning!

10 comments:

Jeanette said...

Best wishes on your trip! I enjoy reading your blog and following along on this journey. I get lots of great tips for when it's our turn. Thanks and have a safe and wonderful trip!

Melissa said...

Have a great trip. I can't wait to hear the updates and all about court. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and have a safe trip. Keep us updated!
Melissa

Anonymous said...

good luck on your trip. i cannot wait to hear all about it as well as see pictures! i will think of you often while you are gone!

Carrie said...

Have a great trip! I can't wait to hear all about it and see you holding your precious baby girl. I will be stalking your blog so keep us posted.

Carrie said...

Oh tell everyone we said hi and that both Sam and Sophie are doing great!

Joy said...

Oh you are going to be a part of our Thanksgiving blessing. I just can not believe that you are on your way!! I can not wait to see pictures of all of you in Russia.
Joy

Carey and Norman said...

I can't wait to follow your journey to Russia. Safe travels and many prayers coming your way!!

P.S. I don't blame you for staying away from Wal-Mart on Friday!! You'll be in crazy Russia traffic before you know it!!

Ryan and Katie said...

Have a great, safe and wonderful trip. Godspeed.

Barb said...

Don't worry about the medical, Kim. I stressed about it too much (because we had it in the morning before court) but everything turned out fine. It's one of those situations that you won't want to forget . . . we were laughing so hard about it all evening with the other couple who shared it with us!
I can't wait to read your posts from Russia!!!
Barb

Barb said...

Don't worry about the medical, Kim. I stressed about it too much (because we had it in the morning before court) but everything turned out fine. It's one of those situations that you won't want to forget . . . we were laughing so hard about it all evening with the other couple who shared it with us!
I can't wait to read your posts from Russia!!!
Barb