Visa Issues

Well, only one week to go! Can you believe it? It doesn't quite seem real to us, though granted it gets more real each day. Here we are a week away from our departure and Andy still does not have his visa. The kids and I have had our visas for quite some time. Now I have blogged in the past about the extensive medical tests and all the paperwork that was required for his. About a month ago, he was told that he needed additional medical testing (EKG and chest scan, just to name a few). Andy got the needed tests and the doctor filled out the appropriate form. Then a few weeks after that paperwork had been turned in, he was told that they needed his itinerary and flight information. Next he was told that because rules had changed he needed an invitation letter from the company in China. With each of these steps it has taken more time. Now we are at crunch time and Andy was told today that because they no longer offer the expedited service to make things go faster, it could take four to six (business) days.  Andy has looked into changing our flights if needed and wow is it expensive. So, now we are in wait mode. We will hopefully know more tomorrow.

Talking with Tori

Over the last couple of months, Tori has really been expressing herself. Her way of doing so is often hilarious. Some funny Tori-isms:

• While in the Ocean exhibit in the zoo: "I want to see the butterfish." (I was confused but quickly realized that she had her condiments mixed up and meant the JELLYFISH)
• Looking around our house with no furniture: "Where did all the couches go? Are they moving to China too? It's very silly in here, I fink" (though she wasn't a bit sad when I told her they weren't)
• My favorite thing that comes out funny because she can't say her "Ls": "Wizards at the zoo"  
• The other day she was taking her shoes off by herself (she wants to do everything by herself) and when asked if she needed help, she responded: "I've got it. No worries!"

Final Farewell

We had a very successful garage sale this weekend. Right now we have very little furniture left in our house that isn't spoken for (actually, only 3 pieces of furniture). Check out our living room in the photo! Last night Andy and I watched a movie sitting on the floor.

We also had our final farewell party here in Indy on Saturday. Thank you so much Cramers, Peabodys and Tomlinsons for hosting this. We had such a great time and we really appreciate all that you did! Thank you to all who came - we had a wonderful time hanging out with you all!

Only 8 days left. It is so surreal. In some ways, I am not sure that I am ready, but in other I can't wait...

Moving Sale Madness and Miscellaneous Mentions

I have not written much this week, not because nothing was happening, but because SO MUCH was going on. I am going to try and hit the highlights here. Yesterday we sent our shipment of boxes off on the slow boat. Or as Josh says, "so our stuff can meet up with us in China." Any guesses on how many boxes we sent? Anyone? We sent 30 boxes. Now I have no idea if that is a lot or very little. I hope that I packed what will be most helpful to us, but we shall see....   Today we had day one of our massive moving sale. It was so crazy! I think of the whole time from 8-2 there were only a couple of 5 minute stretches with no people. Whew! Tonight we went through the house and found a lot more to put out tomorrow. Because with getting everything ready for our ocean shipment to leave yesterday, there was little to no time to prepare for the garage sale. I have discovered a great deal about myself and we haven't even left yet. I've realized that I have very little attachment to stuff. Well, at least most stuff - the other day as we were sorting things to go on the boat or to give away/sell, I was in tears over a stuffed bunny. I look at this bunny and remember Becca in the hospital. One of my favorite pictures of her as a newborn has the bunny in it. But the bunny is big and not a favorite of Becca's, so I am letting it go. I also realize that I handle change better than I thought (well, so far anyway). In the midst of all the packing craziness, we have also had miscellaneous doctor's appointments. Yesterday was a flurry of activity. Here's all we did: finished packing, finished labeling and itemizing each box (for insurance), took all the boxes to the freight terminal, I had a root canal, got somewhat ready for the garage sale, cleaned the house because we had a showing, and friends brought us dessert. In fact, as we described the day to a friend of ours she laughed and said , "it sounds like you're making that up!"

Fun with Dry Ice

This weekend Dwight and Duease brought us one of our favorite things - Graeter's Ice Cream. This is possibly the best ice cream EVER (as my Cincy friends can attest). They brought it packed in dry ice. Almost as excited as he was about the ice cream, Andy was excited to show the kids what dry ice is and how it sublimes. (He just corrected me that he was MUCH more excited about the Graeter's!) Becca was intrigued by the process. She is one who likes to know how and why the world works. 

Also check out the growing gap as Becca continues to lose more teeth!

Mother's Day Surprise

We got home LATE last night (you know MIDNIGHT, which for us is quite late). This morning Andy and I were up before the kids - who slept until 8:30! Andy wanted to run to Kroger's because we were out of the jugs of water we use to make coffee (otherwise our coffee maker has issues). I told him that I was headed to the store later because all of Andy's family would be here in the afternoon. He was insistent. Maybe I was just tired but I didn't catch that something was up. I mean it didn't quite make sense, but I thought he really needed coffee. He came back almost 40 minutes later, and look at my surprise....

I love tulips! Becca and Josh made things for me in school. They are such dear ones!

More goodbyes and other news

Yesterday, my parents gave us a great going-away party. Thank you so much, Dad and Mom! It was a great time to see family and people who have been a part of my life for so long. Thanks to all of you who traveled so far to say good-bye to us! Definitely a relaxing time to hang out and catch up.      I am excited because Andy is home from his time of training in Northern Indiana. He is most likely off until we are in China. Now granted, "off" is a relative term - we are both going to be busy until we get on the plane in TWO WEEKS! Nonetheless, I am beyond excited to have him around to help. Maybe now I can get more than a couple boxes packed at a time? And the continuous string of showings have come to a close. We had showings every day last week from Sunday to Saturday (except on Monday). But people were kind and gave me Mother's Day off! :-)