So it happened... Monday... I "made the call" (as I weirdly said in last post) but it turned out that I had to call the provincial director for some information regarding what their holiday hours are and how they would handle a referral over Christmas and she chuckled and said, "well, hopefully that won't matter since I'm looking at your referral on my desk!". I was dumbfounded. Fast forward two whole days, 3 IA doc opinions, 1 zillion phone calls, 28 heart attacks (or it just feels like my heart is going to pound out of my chest), hours looking up far away (no... not Russia far away but way out in the boonies in Russia far away) places, 2 flights investigated, 1 flight booked, Visa application couriered on a wing and a prayer (needs to be back for my flight Wednesday night YIKES!), and half a heart beat being hopeful (who has time for that when there is so much to process???). Only this morning I was happily making my way to Lethbridge on my last Christmas run when my SW called to say that the photos had arrived and asked if I had seen them... not yet - thank goodness for wireless at Starbucks. I would see them in about half an hour. She paused... and asked... "I have a question for you... do you think you could travel before the end of the year?"... I blurted out that I COULD go but that logistics probably wouldn't allow for it (and the fact that it would be a small mortgage to get there over our Christmas and at short notice) but I'd call. Miracles, angels, fate and good old good luck kicked in and I'm on the milk run through Amsterdam, Moscow and then on to Khab but arrive on Christmas day. Details will be hammered out but I will make my way to Komsomolsk from there.
When I find a moment between panic and disarray, I remember the beautiful face of a little 2 1/2 year old blond haired, blue eyed boy who looks healthy and is developmentally on track :) The caretakers did a good job of having him do different things like sit on a fire engine type wheeled truck with a dolly, stand on a slide, and just generally look adorable. The referral started out with one fuzzy photo and not much info... now, a little more info and 5 photos in total... he is very sweet.
I have to get some sleep... I have so much to do and not much time. Packing list advice, questions to ask, fire away... I may not have time or access much once I'm gone but know I will do my best to keep you posted. Lots of prayers that my documents make it on time and that the trip goes smoothly. I am looking so forward to 2010 and a new day for both of us.
I'm scared... really scared... but anything in life worth doing takes your breath away. Have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year...
I certainly plan on it!
xoxo
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