Getting Ready!

Before I forget .... I meant to let everyone know that we decided to go and meet Gabriela; but I'm sure you figured that out already! We did have Gabriela's paperwork reviewed by quite a few people -- optometrists, medical dr., psychologists and school social worker. We felt confident in what we learned and knew that we needed to meet this beautiful young lady.

Both Jack and I are feeling very nervous about our trip ... it's natural I'm sure after Kazakhstan, but there is a very real fear that history will repeat itself. Trying to think positive and reassure one another that it will be fine ....... it will won't it???

We have our flights set .... leaving on Saturday, April 25th out of Milwaukee and returning on Monday, May 4th. Hailee will be staying home for this trip -- she'll be coming with me when it's time to bring Gabriela home. We're anxiously waiting to hear where we'll be staying and what the "plan" will be once we get there.

The dining room table has begun to fill with "stuff" that we'll NEED. Hoping to get away with a lot less luggage this time, but I'm not sure that's going to happen. Even though we'll be there a week instead of six we need a lot of the same things, we did laundry in Kaz so we didn't take a lot of clothes -- about what we'll take this time around. It just seems that gifts for others, toys to keep Gabriela & us busy together, the things we hope to leave in country for her, etc. take up a LOT of space.

By the way thanks to everyone for the wonderful ideas of things to bring for Gabriela. Shopping has been a top priority lately (YUCK, I'm just not a shopper but I'm doing it) -- we've picked up a journal for her to write her thoughts in along with some fun colored pens, paper dolls, jacks, super balls, coloring things, puzzles, sidewalk chalk, jump rope, fun socks, velvet posters to color, Uno cards, and so on. We still have a few things to pick up since it will be about 12 weeks before we return to bring her home -- we would like to have them give her something from us at least once a week. Lisa happened to mention that she has nothing to do on Thursday .......... guess where she'll be?????

We are having Hailee write short notes to Gabriela -- we plan to leave them with the weekly gifts. Hoping that we can get them translated before we leave and maybe Gabriela will feel like she knows a little about what life in our family will be like. (Thanks to Linda L. for the great idea)

Still looking for a special gift to leave with Gabriela so she knows we're coming back. I've been searching for the split sisters necklace or something like that but I haven't had a lot of success ... Linda K. offered to take over the search --- Thank you, thank you!!!!

That's it for now ..... if you need to reach me check the nearest Walmart .... or Kmart .... or Target .... or Kohls .................... ugh!!!