Counting the days

We are getting closer to leaving. One week to go. We are taking care of all the things that need to be done when one leaves on a long trip. Someone is taking care of our house, mail will be stopped, etc. Bills are paid up, utilities turned down, jobs are scaling back. All we can think about now is getting our girls home. We can't wait to see them again.

We leave on the 24th for Moscow, and stay there for a few days to get physicals from the Russian Gov't. Then on Friday the 27 we fly to Krasnoyarsk. We will visit the girls on Monday the 2nd, and then will go to court on the 3rd. If all goes as planned, we will get the court's approval, and the girls are ours, sort of. Then starts the 10 day waiting period, during which we will go visit the girls a few more times hopefully. On Saturday the 14th we will go pick up the girls for good. That is commonly referred to as "Gotcha Day". We will have some more official work to do in Kras for a few days, and then on Wednesday, March 18th we will start our journey home. We stop in Moscow for a few days to get the girls' visas and physicals, and then head home on Saturday the 21st. All these dates are somewhat tentitive, but we are praying that everything goes well and we don't have any major hickups.

We tried to get an apartment in Moscow on the way back, figuring it would be easier than a hotel with the girls, but that week is the busiest in Moscow all year due to a huge convention. Oh well, I guess a hotel will have to do. Other plans for our trip are coming together. We have the girl's clothes layed out, and MaryEllen is getting herself packed. We are not able to take very much because of weight limitations on Siberian Air. They only allow 40 lbs, so we are trying to keep everything light. These last few days will go quickly. Pray, pray, pray.