Tick Tick Tick

44 hours and counting. Packing has been funny...I think I've counted my outfits about 30 times and I'm not even close to being done packing my clothes. I just want to be sure I have enough outfits to not have to worry when I'm there, but don't want to carry more than needed.

All the logistical things are starting to weigh on me a bit. Like, what exactly am I supposed to be getting after I go to the embassy? How early do I need to be at the airport when we leave Liberia? How can I be sure the hotel has a confirmation for me? It's not like we used Hotels.com to book the thing :). Did I bring enough snacks?

I am realizing through all of this though, I love it. I love the fact that God has empowered me and prepared me to be strong enough to travel to Africa to pick up 3 children. The "stresses" of doing this all could be so much more damaging had God not hand picked me to go to Liberia last year and gotten my international travel feet under me. God's made me such a closet Type-A person...I've got my lists, my itineraries, my lists about my lists, my printed emails, items in zip lock bags with labels on them and more lists about my lists. It's awesome.

I still giggle at the thought of two guys walking up to the embassy with the 3 little kids saying..."Yes, We are here to adopt them"...it's a very "happy" thought....if you know what I mean. So many of my friends in Massachusetts would be sooooo proud!

I think one of the neatest things I have been given the opportunity to do is to hand out photo albums and gifts for some of the children being adopted by families here in the U.S. I hope some of those kids will understand what the pictures mean and start to get that excited feeling, that they will have homes soon enough...no more cramped living and sleeping...no more wondering about how much food or water there is...no more wondering who their forever family is. God is so Awesome to give me this opportunity!

Totally off subject...if you haven't seen Wild Hogs and/or Blades of Glory...you are missing out. 2 very funny movies.

Post more soon!
God is Amazing in all He does in our lives.

Random Thoughts from the Past Month

I really have been meaning to post more, but life has gotten so busy, so here is a recap of random things I've wanted to share:

Fantasy Football Time is here!!! I drafted my "important" team...it's pretty good, hopefully I'll finish in the top 3.

I miss home. I hear New Hampshire is really nice this time of year!

Red Sox are leading their way to the playoffs. 1 month left and they have a 6 game lead. Sure it was once at 14 games, but I'm not panicking.

Had Dos's friend birthday party this past Saturday. I pretty much just lived the kid birthday party of my dreams, through my son! He wanted a sports party, so I painted a 50 yard football field out in the back yard (end zones and all), set up a kickball/baseball diamond, put up the volleyball net, horseshoe area and water balloons. The football field was fun and Dos seemed to like it. That right there is what being a dad is all about. Giving your family all that you can and trying your hardest to make their lives happy and dreams to come true. I love that part of being a Dad and Husband.

One full suitcase is packed now. For the record, I'm bringing a bunch of stuff. Donations for the Children's Home, snacks for us and the kids, 9 outfits per child (that's 27 total outfits for the multiplication impaired), diapers, pull-ups, books, toys, extra socks and undies for each child and stuffed animals. And I haven't even thought about putting my stuff into a suitcase yet. 2 gynormous suitcases, a stroller and a huge backpack...awesome :)

I'm really feeling God in me the last few days. Leading up to this trip, I was feeling Him moving in my life and some how, as the trip became a reality, with real dates, I kind of took over and allowed the stress to come into my days. Sunday at church, God just slapped me in the back of the head and set me straight. The trip will be stressful, but I have a peace and excitement that I didn't have a few days ago.

Weight Loss Update: I've lsot 6 pounds so far. Could have lost more, but frankly some food is too good to pass up. Still trying to pray my way to 185.

All for now...More updates as the trip starts.

HE is the Solid Rock

Ryan and Randy's Excellent Adventure

Ya dude....Down to like one gnarly week....AIR GUITAR!!!!

Been a month since I blogged here....and now it'll be like a flood of info. Ryan and I are leaving in exactly 1 week. Visa's, Passports, Malarone....all are in and ready. One big suitcase is packed, another is partly packed. It seems like we've been waiting forever to finally go and now the date is 1 week away!!!

I am so blessed ot have an incredible friend in Ryan to share this experience with me. He is a champ and a half and has his head on straight with the Lord. I can't wait to spend this time with him. I'm nervous to see how Cinco, Seite, and Tres respond to us, but I feel good knowing Ryan absolutely loves kids and kids love him immediately. So even if they are freaked out by me, I know they'll respond really good to him.

On the home front, we are pretty much prepared. Just finished putting the crib up. Installed the car seats earlier this week...(Have been asking God to forgive me for the swears...stupid things...). Going to help Wife build up a stand up thing for Seite to play/sit/stand in. Still need to get a couple of dressers. Lots of clothes have been donated/bought. I think it's safe to say...we are ready! not sure we will feel ready those first few days, but we are ready. God has prepared us and given us all we need for this next stage of life.

I find myself doubting a little, how ready I am to travel around the world with 3 little ones I don't know yet. It's going to be pretty interesting trying to understand who these 3 little humans are, get them to trust who I am, feed them at the right times, bathroom breaks with a 6 year old girl, going through customs, trying not to sleep on the plane with them with me, being the person in charge, taking all the pictures and notes to document the whole thing properly, hand out the gifts for the next adoptive families. It's official....I need a list!!

As the date to leave gets closer I'll be posting more up here. While on the trip, I should have internet access, so I will be posting up pictures and thoughts for that day. Please keep track of our trip and and comments would be great. It's great to hear and feel the encouragement.

God is truly Amazing!