Long time, no blog. This week I have been extremely focused on wrapping things up at work. Just two more days of work before we head to Russia on Sunday morning!

Last weekend, we had a "We have a court date!" pizza party at our home. We had over 50 friends and neighbors come by the house and wish us well on our trip. We showed videos of M, and gave tours of her new room and all of the wonderful gifts we have been receiving for her. This will be one spoiled little girl. My sister and friend e are coming over tomorrow night to go through everything and figure out what to bring to Russia. I should take some pics of the loot but I am too exhausted to haul myself upstairs.

I was really touched by our neighborhood children - They all want to get to know M and many have volunteered to help her learn english!

We finished the final paperwork and will pick it up tomorrow. We needed to put together the packet for the embassy visit, and our lab test results for the Russian medical when we first get there. We should receive our passports tomorrow... it took more time because on trip #2 we needed to get adoption visas. In our region, a business visa is sufficient for trip #1.

Other good news about our trip is that we will have housesitters the whole time we are gone! Therefore, no egging allowed. Michael's friends from Chicago - Linda and Marcia - are coming out for the first week; and Michael's mother will be here for weeks 2 and 3. She'll be leaving the day after we get back (to support our bonding process) but it will be great that she will get to be here when M arrives.

We are getting close... I'm so ready to get on that plane!