Not Much Longer

It has been pretty hectic since our consulate appointment/travel dates were confirmed last Friday.  First up was finding flights.  I had no idea we would have such a small window between travel approval and the actual travel.  I literally spent all of Saturday and Sunday on the computer obsessing over the options. In the end Linda at Brica International came through with the best prices and flights of anyone and even got back to me on the weekend!  If any readers are China-bound soon I highly recommend her.

I have been collecting packing lists from those who have BTDT for years now.  There is no way I can get all those list items I bought into our suitcases unless we go sans clothes.  Even worse, the weight limit on the in-China flights is only 44 pounds compared to the 50 pounds we Americans are used to.  Hopefully tomorrow we can wrap-up the packing.  When Steve isn't looking I'll just take some of his stuff out so Ariana and I can bring more:)

We also had our own little "new money" crisis.  I've known for years that we were to bring brand-new, crisp, uncirculated hundred dollar bills.  For whatever reason I thought that was just for the official payments. Since our agency wired our orphanage donation and government fees, I didn't think I needed to worry about it.  Wrong! I started the day yesterday by calling every bank from here to Madison begging for new bills.  Thankfully I found some at the Credit Union in Mercer (they open at 9:00, well into my mission) and my rockstar sister found some in Madison.  Crisis averted, but not before the stress level was through the roof.

Today I filled out the forms for the American Consulate appointment and double-checked that all of our paperwork is in order and ready to go.

It won't be long until someone is handing me that little angel at the top of this page♥