Wow, I think just a couple of days ago I was complaining about time just creeping along. And now I can’t believe how fast it is flying! (Insert Katy Perry Song… You’re hot then you’re cold. You’re yes then you’re no!) Many details are falling into place and there are a million more to complete still.
We have our tickets booked. We actually ended up spending $950 less this trip WITH Blake’s one-way ticket than we spent in December. The problem is we will not get to fly Korean Air this time since we have to go through Moscow on the way home. Justin is less than thrilled about riding in what he calls the Matchbox Plane. We will survive it though – maybe with just a few additional grey hairs. So here is what the general schedule will look like.
April 12th Fly out of Moline to Atlanta. (2 hrs) Celebrating Easter in the air!
Fly out of Atlanta to Moscow. Arrive on the 13th. (11 hrs)
April 13th Fly out of Moscow to Vlad. Arrive on the 14th. (8.5 hrs)
April 14th Check in to the Vlad Inn
April 15th Visit Blake and prepare for court
April 16th Court at 4:00 p.m.
April 28th Receive the court decision; Complete documents for the passport office; Visit a notary office for notarizing copies of the Birth & Adoption Certificates for the Consulate; Visit a regional registry office to apostille new documents
April 29th Receive passport; visit medical clinic
April 30th Receive documents for the US Embassy
Fly out of Vlad to Moscow. (8.5 hrs)
May 1st Russian holiday – Embassy closed (HUGE BUMMER!)
May 4th Go to US Embassy
May 6th Fly out of Moscow to Atlanta. (11.5 hrs)
Fly out of Atlanta to Moline. Arrive at 8:55 p.m. (2 hrs)
So now to the reason for the title of this entry. As you can imagine we are beyond excited to head to Vlad to get Blake! There are three rather gut wrenching problems with leaving however. One is the timing for Justin with the farm work to be completed. We won’t even go there! Number two and three are Brady and Madison. We are just sick to our stomachs (literally) about leaving them for this length of time. My heart just aches. They both keep reassuring us that they are going to be fine and that they are just happy that we will be bringing their brother home. We have fantastic help from our family and friends. And to be honest they probably will be so spoiled while we are gone, they will think it is great. I am truly nervous about how we will handle this. It will work in the end. It is worth it. They will be fine. Etc… I KNOW all of those things in my mind. But my heart isn’t so sure.
So as a result of those feelings you should all take pity on Brady and Madison for the moment. Every time Justin and I walk past them we are giving them hugs and kisses. Squeezing them. Telling them how much we love them. How much we are going to miss them. How proud of them we are. To be honest I think they are tolerating us because they can sense we are emotional, but I think another day or so of this and they are going to be like “All right already! Give us some space will ya?!?” (o:
Emotions are running high. It will be interesting to see how God continues to lay out our journey for us.
Dasvidania (Goodbye)
5 comments:
It is hard to leave your babies behind & sure you'll survive but when you've spent their whole lives caring for them, even a few days seems like a year! I'll spare you the platitudes & just say I completely understand & it'll stink.
But, HOW EXCITING! In a few short weeks you will be reunited with Blake!
Praying the time goes fast.
You're kiddos have been raised right -- how sweet of them to tell you that they are just happy for you to be bringing home Blake. That's good kids right there!!! :) Be proud, mama!
Stinks that CHI doesn't do the courier -- VERY easy!! But atleast you'll get to experience the matchbox plane aka AeroFlot!!
WOW!!!! What travel plans and planning it takes to get through this process....BUT, it'll all be worth it when you get to bring Blake on to U.S. soil and introduce him to his brother, sister, and family in IL.
Oh, you must be so sick to your stomach about leaving B and M behind. But your fam and friends are so awesome to help out and be there for them. They WILL be okay and as you said you know that, but it's still hard to leave your kiddos for so long. They are WONDERFUL sweetie pies and will do just great...I'm sure they will be super busy! And thank goodness for technology to keep in touch w/ them!!
Hoping and praying that all will work out for Justin and planting season.
MANY hugs and prayers for all of you!!! And.....looks like Blake will make it home just in time to help you celebrate Mother's Day!! What a sweet celebration that will be!
Very excited for you both to be traveling back for Blake. Caution with your bags and weight in Moscow! Carl and I were held up for about 30 min, didn't know why! come to find out our bags were over the weight limit. We were nailed in Vlad heading towards Moscow. The internation flight is okay, it's flying in the country that will get you. Be sure you have rubbles in Vlad if your over weight that's the only money they will accept. Good luck and we will be praying for you. Aeroflot is not a bad airline, at least you can book your 3 seats together.
first brady and madison be patient with mom and dad they will miss you and want you know it. even tho madison said they won't miss her, they will. mom and dad it will be hard to leave them i am sure, they will be well taken care of while your are gone. and as for spoiled, what are you talking about we would never do that. lol
Post a Comment