A little bit of this and that

Happy Tuesday! So very glad to say that instead of "Happy Monday!". I hope everyone had a fabo weekend and is nice and rested. Me? I'm not rested! I just don't get it. I think I'm going to feel a suddenly ill one of these days so that I can stay home alone and veg out. Not that I don't love my family, but there is nothing that beats an empty house and HGTV/TLC all day long.

I've spent a lot of time catching up on blogs and reading things on FRUA (Families for Russian and Ukranian Adoption). FRUA is such a great resource for those of us adopting. There has been some chatter about the next round accreditation. It seemed as though things were getting resolved (there was an issue with Interpol and background checks - if you want more info, let me know, otherwise I won't bore you with the nitty gritty) but then I log in this morning, so excited to see some more good news and I hear "POP POP POP"! That was the sound of my bubbles bursting. According to someone's blog (and who knows if this is true since noone knows how this person gets their info, so take it for what it's worth) accreditations are at a complete standstill with no end in sight. This what life is like as a PAP (pre-adoptive parent) - a big UP and then a big DOWN. The good news is that I think I've gotten a bit used to the accreditation roller coaster because I just find myself rolling my eyes and moving on.

Something else I found on FRUA was a post about what to pack. I jotted down some things that made me go "Hmmm..." (okay - who's singing that song now?? "Things that make you go hmmm...") and decided to share them with you. This list is all mixed up - some things for Trip 1 and some for Trip 2 and some for both! Keep in mind, this is not an all encompassing list - I left off the obvious (like cold medicine, tylenol, etc..)

• Cleaning stuff: Febreeze or wrinkle release, packages of woolite, antibacterial cleaner
• Small packages of kleenex (carry them around in case you need TP)
• Short extension cord with 3 outlets so that you can charge everything at once (digi camera, camcorder, etc...)
• Rubber Stopper for the tub or sink (for trip 2 when you have to wash clothes in the sink)
• Twine (to make a clothesline on trip 2)
• ziplock bags in all shapes and sizes (for dirty clothes and things like that)
• Masking Tape (this is a good one! Used to "childproof" your hotel room - cover outlets, tape cabinets and drawers closed, section off the room, etc...)
• ear plugs (I think I might invest in those noise canceling headphones for the plane ride)
• Meds: Ambien (or some kind of sleep aid), Dramamine (driving in Moscow is not for the faint stomach), bug wipes (for the fall, spring, summer - no A/C so windows will be open)
• Food you can pack: pull top meats (tuna, chicken, etc...), oatmeal, cup-a-soup, ramen noodles, hot chocolate, peanut butter, crackers, nuts, beef jerky

A few other little tips:

• Don't pack one suitcase for you and one for your husband (I learned this going to Paris when my suitcase was there but Keith's decided to go to LA (because THAT'S on the way to Paris from Atlanta, right??)) - Anyhow, back to my point, 50/50 in each suitcase in case one gets lost.
• There is no such thing as a carry on suitcase in Russia - they all get checked so carry a backpack on the plane.
• Pack food in your backpack just in case you get stuck somewhere for a while
• On trip 2, take a DVD of your animals (dogs in particular) to show your little one on the way home over and over and over again so he/she can get used to the sounds and sights of your furry kids.

We're still waiting to hear any news about the Kras families waiting for court. We're also about to approach Mini Milestone #1 - Clinic with the International Adoption doctor which is Sept 15th. Well, I guess Mini Milestone #1a comes first but we're trying not to think about the horrible vaccination shots we're getting on Thursday. I have Milestone #3 to add to the list (#2 is the Pre-Adopt class at CHI in Nashville in October). My project management class for the Masters-Program-That-Never-Ends will be over November 1st. It's at this point I'm hoping and praying and wishing on a star that we'll have seen some serious movement in Kras.

Well, there's my update for the night! I'm sure you'll be hearing from me after my wonderful experience on Thursday unless my arm is too sore from all of those shots!

Toodley-do!