Can we all just be on the same continent, please?

Today has arrived.  The day we have been waiting to come for so long.  It's all so surreal! Maybe once I'm actually on Ethiopian Airlines it will hit me.  It just doesn't seem possible!

Today is hard day.  So many emotions have been going through my body.  My entire body! Because I feel nauseous. I think it's a mix of butterflies to travel to Africa and leaving my two babies here in the USA.  I really can't let myself think too much about either because I have broken down into tears a couple times.  And yes, one time was in Walmart.  :)

I went to Walmart to grab some earplugs, cheap flip flops for the shower, batteries, wipes, and A&D ointment for the Transition Home.  West Sands posted on facebook today that if anyone could take any over, they needed it.  A seemingly harmless trip to Walmart, right?  Well it sent a gut wrenching reminder that I am buying these supplies and bringing diapers for Elliana, but then we have to leave.  They don't even have access to diaper rash ointment.  And even if they did, that wouldn't make it any easier to leave her there.  But the fact they don't--that definitely does make it harder.

I'm trying my hardest not to look ahead to next Friday yet.  Is that just me? or maybe a woman thing? Why am I already dreading the worst part!?  I pray that I will be able to soak in the moments we have and will be able to enjoy them to the fullest.  I don't think I'll have a problem doing that once Elliana is in my arms:)

Another factor into all this emotion are these two little cutie pies.  Come on, I know you can understand why I'll have a hard time leaving them!

 

I know, I know, they probably won't even know we are gone.  Raelynn totally gets it.  For months she has been saying "Airplane.  Africa.  Elliana.  Mommy.  Daddy."

Then she started saying "Elliana home later." and that was the sweetest thing ever!

She knew Mimi would be coming to stay with her so it's all becoming very real to her as well, since Mimi is now here and our suitcases are now packed.

 

So, to make her time away from Mommy and Daddy fun and give her something to look forward to every day, I made a few things for her:

A card for every day with a variety of stickers, candy, coins, and activities in them

Everyday, Raelynn and I always get the mail.  While we are gone, I have left the cards for Mimi to leave in the mailbox for Raelynn to find when she gets the mail with Mimi.

I know, my grammar is funny here.  But I realized it after and really didn't care:)
Raelynn loved the advent calendar at Christmas and loved opening the resurrection eggs at Easter each day, so I thought she would like a little 'countdown' until we get home.  There are little treats behind each box

Mimi arrived on Tuesday, April 2.  Raelynn is already having so much fun and wants Mimi to do everything with her, so I think she will be just fine!  And how much fun that Mimi will get some great time with her granddaughter she doesn't see very often!

These two make my heart burst.  I will be sure not to wear mascara to the airport tonight.