Thailand or Bust Baby!!!

So I need to back up a little bit.  Most recently we have been waiting for something called a To Whom It May Concern letter, basically our formal invite to travel.  The placing agency is going on their fall trip to Thailand this coming weekend.  With the trip so close, everyone assumed that they would get our TWIMC letter while they were there (or at least an update) and we were expecting to not hear anything until they returned in about three weeks.  Well...yesterday I had the day off and was taking care of random things around the house when the phone rang.  It was our new social worker at WACAP and she very calmly said "I know we just spoke last night, but I just checked my email and am looking at your To Whom letter..." My response? "Huh?" So she repeated herself and again I answered appropriately with "Whose?" As if, why are you telling me other people's news???  Then it sunk in...She had our To Whom letter, WE ARE GOING TO THAILAND, WE ARE BRINGING OUR SOM HOME!!!!  They very intelligently did not give me any instructions of what to do next as it was very clear (and loud) that I was not paying attention to anything after the first and most important sentence!  We leave the beginning of December and will be home right before Christmas, talk about the Merriest Christmas EVER!!!  We had sent along a gift package with the social workers to give to Frank with our list of questions but now we have a new request.  Through tears and laughter I asked the people going over to hug him, hug him tighter than they have ever hugged a child, and tell him that his mommy and daddy are packing his suitcase and they would be there soon and would love on him for the rest of his life.  It must have been the wishful packing :)  In all honesty, it was the prayers, the love, the positive energy, and the chanting that all of you did in Frank's name and we cannot begin to tell you what it means to us that you supported us as you have.

We are going to meet our son, we are going to bring him home.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Love,
John and Nancy

Wishful Packing Prep

So, the house is ready, we are ready (well as ready as we are going to be!) we have been working with Ruby to get her used to not being the queen of the house (we hope she is getting used to it!), what is left??? Packing!!! No, we don't have our travel dates yet but those of you who know me well, I am a girl who likes to be prepared. I need to check, double check and triple check. So I figure that I will start getting things together that we will need on the trip for Frank and making sure that we have everything ahead of time. What? Is this not normal? Notice the bag of goodies from my mom, I mentioned that we were looking for water wings for the pool and she hit a jackpot of kids stuff for pools, outdoors, and travel with children in general. Adorable sunglasses, kids sunscreen, swimming goggles, pool toys, blocks (not for the pool, but just like John and I both had as children that we have been searching for)etc...Thanks Mom! As you can see, I have everything but the kitchen sink and to be truthful, I do keep going back to pull things out that we need on an every day basis...So for those of you who are already parents or those who have made the adoption journey, we would really appreciate any advice on what is REALLY needed and what I will be paying someone to take off my hands by the first layover. Ok, back to my lists and checking them twice...sheesh I am starting to sound like Santa!

-Nancy