We Leave Today!!!

I cannot believe today!!! I have been up since 4am thinking about it, and it is just so crazy that we are at this final stage in our adoption process. The G&R date is Monday, and it is so strange to think that in just a few days we will be parents officially!!!

For anyone who is curious, we have been told by our agency that they strongly recommend the Guoman Hotel in Hanoi, so we will be there throughout our entire stay. We will get there on the 7th (note that the 7th for Hanoi begins long before it begins here...check the weather pixie on the right hand side of the blog for current time and weather in Hanoi), and we have down time the 7th and 8th (on those days, we plan to do a little shopping to pick up diapers and formula -- the two things our agency advised we buy there instead of pack-- and to pick up treats for the staff and kids at the orphanage -- our agency recommends that we buy treats for all to share rather than get bigger gifts for the caregivers, and the agency takes us shopping for those in Hanoi). On the 9th, we drive to Hoa Binh and pick up Noah!! Then the next few weeks are filled with bonding time, sightseeing and governmental appointments for passport, visa, medical check etc.

I am so excited to get going! We are also thrilled that we will be traveling with another couple from Des Moines who are picking up a little girl around the same age as Noah! It will be great to go through this experience with another family and to have friends in Des Moines who have been on a similar journey.

A big thanks to everyone that has offered to help while we are out (by caring for cats, filling our fridge for our return, etc.)!

We really appreciate the help! While we are gone, we hope to be able to keep this blog current, so please watch here for news!! Okay...I have to go finish packing (we are trying to rearrange things to accomplish two goals (1) one checked bag a piece and (2) no over weight luggage charges:)