cutest sweater ever...

I got this adorable sweater for B in San Francisco when I went there to work. Its handmade from Peru for the bargain price of $16. Its sort of 3D all the little animals are stitched and attached to the sweater. Mom came along and we spent a couple days walking (uphill both ways it seemed) to Fishermans Warf, and around to some shops. We took the trolley (the 'San-Fran-cisco treat' one) down to Chinatown. Of course we got off on the wrong stop (totally my fault) so had to ask how to get there. After walking down this enormous hill we arrived smack dab in the middle of it. It was awesome. Word of warning though, taking the trolley down is a piece of cake ($5 one way). Getting back to Fishermans Warf is a battle, so dont pay for the 'all day pass' unless you want to wait. The line was soooo long, we ended up taking the cable car (the one attached to the wires). That was much cheaper $1.50 but we were packed in that thing like sardines. Life is always an adventure.

I found out that my dossier is being translated as we speak but no new pics of B yet. I also booked trip 1, wahoo. I am trying to use points for the trip from PHX to IAD (Washington DC) so I booked from IAD to FRU (Bishkek) and back. We are leaving the US Oct 4 and getting to Bishkek two days later the 6th. (they are 13 hrs ahead of us) the trip is 23 1/2 hrs!!!!. We will be back Oct 11.

More later......

Baby shower and myregistry.com

Thanks to Tari for catering and Sherry and Georgia for having it at your house. Thanks Mom for getting everything started. It looks like we are shooting for the 3rd weekend in October in Phoenix. I have begun a registry at myregistry.com the password is my soon to be son's name (Bennett). This isnt necessarily a list of what I expect to get as gifts but a list of things I have determined I want for the baby. It keeps me up to date with a list of things to check off as I get them. A couple of the things that I am jazzed about are the gdiapers and the baby sling. Because he has spent his first months in an orphanage I want to keep him with me as much as I can so I get him used to holding and bond with him as much as I can.

Dossier.. a visual

Here's a pic...Each one of these docs were notarized and then state certified and copied 4 times for the dossier. Whew! Four months of work.

Slacker blogger back...

Hello to everyone out there. I am sorry I havent been a 'good blogger' lately (again). I guess it seems like things arent moving right now since I have to wait to go on my first trip til October. Good news is that I booked part of the trip. Mom and I will be traveling from Washington DC (IAD) to Moscow (SVO) then on to Bishkek (FRU). I am still working on the leg from Phoenix to Washington. I get frustrated with the limited availability of 'reward' travel and my lack of miles. The timing is a bit tough too since the flight from IAD leaves at 740pm and getting from PHX to IAD using points gets me there at 7:10. Its also 100,000 NWA miles and my measley 71,000 isnt gonna cut it. Thanks Wendy and Tari for the offer of donating miles. I still may take you up on it. I have 2 free tickets on SWA but would need to get 'Freedom' tickets and thats double so am 2 short. It gives me a headache. I havent gotten any new pics of porkchop so I am bummed about that too. Not to mention work. Lots of drama going on and no set plan to get me off the road. I am getting a little frustrated but the management all know my plans and I am optimistic that it will all work out. No pitty parties for me. I just had to get it all out. Thanks for your kind words Tonia and Wendy, I love you guys! More later :)

Dossier sent for translation

I got an email today saying my Dossier is good and was scanned and sent to the translator. Yay! Hopefully she gave it to the 'fast' translator. I think I am going to book my October 4 trip this weekend. Thank you to everyone on the yahoo groups for their input and tricks for travel. I am definitely learning some cost saving information.

Dossier Dropped off.- its out of my hands now

Let me tell you the comfort I felt in hand delivering my dossier to L. at Global Dossier. I was fortunate to be very close to L (geographically) and took those precious pieces of paper (all 4 copies) to her and be able to visit, hear her adoption stories, and meet her wonderful family. We never know how small the world really is until we meet someone we have been 'talking to' in this virtual world, face to face and get to know them. Turns out L's husband is employed with the same company I am and they live close to the facility I have taught a class at for 4 years. We talked about challenges with the process, challenges with adoption of a child from a foreign country, preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. L was teasing me a little because I kept touching the papers that would bring my son home, the papers I had worked so hard on to make perfect, and took so long to get. She just smiled at me and said 'I'll take good care of them' , and I know she will..

Airline miles hmmmm whats all the hype about.

I am trying to book trip one to go meet porkchop and since I travel so much (soon to stop) I have points on USairways and NWA. I called them and turns out I cant use miles for the trip. Whats the point.. i have used them before for trips for friends visiting but have found that when I really want to use them (like for holiday travel or A TRIP TO MEET MY SON, i cant. grrr. I have posted the question on the groups and got some GREAT ideas. I want to book the first trip as cheaply as possible since who knows if I will have a 'firm' date to pick him up. I have learned that with international adoption there are no guarantees, at all. Court dates are being changed and delayed so familes are finding themselves in a 'last minute' travel predicament. You know me, I'm a planner so I want to know whats coming up. I have gotten some good ideas from the other members of the groups (thanks ladies). I think I will work it out to use points to fly to either: NYC, Washington DC, or LAX and then pay for the rest of the trip. Average is about 1600 per ticket, but that is a far cry from the 2600-4600 if I book from PHX. I will let you know when the plans are made.. btw I am meeting L tomorrow to hand deliver my dossier. I am excited to meet her and pick her brain on whats next on the paper front.