Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Final Countdown!

The time is drawing near! I am headed down to the airport tomorrow night and staying at the Marriott before leaving early on Thursday morning. My brain is moving a mile a minute and I am feeling a bit scatterbrained... so forgive me if this post is all over the place!

Leading up to today I had TWO things hanging over my head: trading some final cash for crisp bills AND the fact that my VISA had not arrived yet. I can gladly say that as of 8:30pm - check and CHECK. WHEW! What a relief. It was almost as if planets aligned today.

Earlier this week was a comedy of errors... a money plan I had lined up fell through and suddenly I was left to figure out how to quickly locate A LOT of crisp bills. For any of you that have traveled for adoption, you know this dance. The best plans go awry!! So yesterday it was back to the drawing board. My bank got me about 1/2 way there -- and then I hit a couple others to exchange -- no crisp bills to be found.

Today was a different story -- the bank had TONS of crisp bills. The customer a couple people before me had just come from the Duty Free shop at the bridge to Canada -- and BOOM - fresh bills. When I got home -- my VISA was there! I was nervous that my VISA that was being sent overnight from New York would get slowed down because of the big storm they had. Breathing is good!

The last panic of the day was the 4pm email I got from my agency informing me of 1 final document that needed to be notarized and taken with for the embassy. WHAT? I am leaving TOMORROW! Nothing like last minute. But I'd soooo rather be over prepared than under prepared!! So I took off like lightning to the bank and had no issues getting the final document notarized.

Next stop -- Detroit!

13 comments:

Jeanette said...

Good luck and safe travels!! I am so happy for you and can't wait to hear and see all about your little girl. I'll be checking in first thing every morning hoping to read all about your adventure. :)

Heather said...

My heart was racing just thinking of all of this last minute details. Dasvadanya!

Todd and Jana said...

Hi Amy,

What an exciting time!! I will be thinking of you and hoping all goes as smoothly as it has today. I know you are beside yourself with excitement:) I can't wait to read your updates from Russia!

Jana

Nichole said...

I am so excited for you! I will be praying for you!

Nancy said...

WOW! A little stressful! I'm so happy your court date is almost here!! SAfe travels!

Suz said...

Oh I am so excited for you! Please keep us posted as you go through the journey!

Anonymous said...

Good luck Amy,
I can only imagine how excited you must be right now.
Can't wait to see pictures of your little Tatiana.
I will be watching your blog daily.
I will keep you in my prayers as you complete this journey.
Mary (Heidi's Mom, Bradyn's Oomba)

Barb said...

Yipee! Can't wait to hear more. Why do you need crisp bills??

Tiger & Kar said...

WOO HOO!! I am so happy for you! Hoping for safe travels, a wonderful reunion with little T, and a successful court date. I can't wait to see her photo in a few weeks!

Anonymous said...

This sounds sooo familiar! All the same things: the last minute documents, the visa arriving right before the flight, the money! AND THEY WILL reject the money if it has little wrinkles. It actually offended me a little when they did in Russia - I just laughed. (what else and I going to do? argue with the guy in the van on the side of the road with the money?)

Good luck Amy! This will be a great adventure! We couldn't be more happy for the start of your new family!

love, jesse, jason and Alina

Lindsay said...

Woo-hoo :)

Good luck, safe journey, smooth landing, happy trails!

Troy and Rachel said...

Your on your way!!!! We are so excited for you and I am so glad everything worked out with the crisp bills etc. We were lucky to have a lady at the Bank to work with who was wonderful. Thank goodness for the nice people out there! Safe travels and can't wait to hear when you have been reunited with your daughter!

Rich and Jolynn said...

Thanks for the tip. I called and I am glad that I did.

Thinking of you tomorrow knowing you are going to Russia!!!! So Cool and we are so Happy for you. I will try and be patient waiting for updates. Yeah!