We've Already Won Big in Vegas

This week has been the most stressful week of my whole entire life. I feel like I've finally put on my big girl panties and became a grown-up this week (yes, even married and having a kid did not do that for me!) I think I've spent more time on the phone this week then in my whole life combined up till now. Here's a glimpse of who I've been talking to: the adoption agency, the hospital, my parents, John's parents, grandparents, piano parents, hotels/apartment bookings, the dentist and most of these more then once. More like once a day. Plus, I've been running around trying to get everything organized. I've been to the bank twice to send down our final payments, picked up some last minute items at the store, went to get travel insurance. I haven't stopped since we heard the news last week. Plus on top of that I got struck with a wicked head cold so most of this week I've felt like death warmed over. Thankfully today I feel almost back to normal. Last night I made myself a nice hot bath and read for an hour and it was glorious! I won't be able to do that again anytime soon!

This adoption feels 1000 times harder then Cassidy's, which is funny because this adoption has gone so smooth right from the start (and hopefully to finish) whereas with Cassidy's there was all sorts of scares. I know it's because we have to travel for this one, and because it costs so much moreand there's just so much more to get organized! I was really stressing about the money, especially when I could not find a place for us to stay that wouldn't cause us to have to sell our house. Thankfully I've found a great place, close to the hospital, with all the things we need for a very reasonable price. 

So...I think we're going to be ok. Last night John and I collapsed on the bed, looked at each other and said "I never want to do this again!" I don't know if we'll always feel this way, but for now, this is it. I think 2 girls is pretty perfect, but of course, I always want to be open to what plans God has for us. I've learned that the things He calls us too are often not easy, but they are always good! We are both really hoping we can come home sooner then 6 weeks, but who knows? Maybe we'll love it down there! I saw a picture of our apartment complex and there are palm trees in front! I am a sucker for palm trees! 

What's really been neat is how excited everyone is for us, and I'm not just talking about our friends and family. The agency and the hospital have both said numerous times how thrilled they are for us to get down there, and even this morning I was booking our place and the lady was asking about our visit so I told her we were coming to adopt a baby. Well, she was just so excited and kept congratulating me and wishing us well. Then, when I gave her my name she burst into the Barry Manilow song "Mandy." She asked if I'd heard that one before and I said "Oh yes, my dad used to sing that to me all the time!" It made me smile. 

We're leaving bright and early tomorrow morning and I just can't wait to get there! Like John said "Once we get there, they will tell us what to do and we won't have to figure it out for ourselves anymore!" Ha, sounds real grown-up doesn't it? AND once we get there we finally get to hold our beautiful Aviannah! I cannot wait!! Monday can't come soon enough! And I promise, I will post more pictures as soon as I can!

P.S. My parents are coming for the first week and last night my brother was coaching my dad on blackjack and poker. Considering my dad is a pastor and a Mennonite (aka cheapskate) this could be interesting!