3 People, 16 Days, 88 lbs. and the Kitchen Sink

Oh-the confines of packing for an international trip... especially one where the intra-country luggage restrictions are contingent on how many people are traveling at that very moment.  Despite having to pack at least some things for Zoey, we are only permitted 44 lbs. a piece (x 2) of luggage.  Once she joins us in the adventure we'll be able to pack an additional 44 lbs., but not right now. 

So-I have packed.  And repacked.  And unpacked, organized, sorted, narrowed down our choices and repacked yet again.  It would probably help if I didn't have a good portion of CVS's inventory in my luggage. 

End result: we are over the 44 lb. limit.  And I am done stressing about it.  We are under the 50 lb. limit, which is our immediate need, so I have decided to live on the edge and am going to wing it.  Hoping that we can jam our carry ons to the max on the trip between Beijing to Hefei, or pray our Guide will sweet talk the security people at the Beijing airport...another reason to hate scales. 

Today was a blur.  Tried to wrap up some stuff at work-forgot my laptop.  Loved eating lunch with Sam for his parent lunch, however I ran out of time from working and didn't actually get to grab a bite to eat-so I watched him eat.  He was so cute-he has really told EVERYONE at school about Zoey.  From the Principal on down to the kindergarteners.  Un-enrolled Jenna from school - she is officially going to be "homeschooled" (or China-schooled, since we won't be home) for a week and a half.  (The last week is spring break.  Darn that truancy policy.)

Given my track record today, I am going to cross my fingers and hope we have everything-at least the stuff we won't be able to live without and can't get in China.  (Don't ask me what that is, because I can't remember what I have packed.)

Going to finish up some loose ends and get a little bit of sleep.  But before I go...I would like to ask those of you who are following this to pray for us. 

• Pray that we have safe (and healthy) travels there, around China, and back.  
• Pray for the one in the group (that would be me) who has an intense fear of flying.  Ugh.
• Pray for Zoey as she makes the transition into our family-that little girl is going to have to be super strong to endure the "abduction" that has taken us so long to choreograph.  I know that she has to grieve for her foster family of 3 years and the life she leads now, in order to form an attachment to us.  Pray it goes as well as it can.  
• Pray that we can make it as pleasant for her and tend to her needs-despite the language barrier, her intense grief and general unfamiliarity for all of us.
• Pray for patience for those of us who are traveling-esp. the token adult in the group.  
• Pray for Sam and Meghan, so that they are spared congestive heart failure from over-indulging in Skyline, Graeters, McDonalds, Sprite and pizza of all kinds while I am gone.  
• Pray for Bryan-who will have to be "the mom" for a couple weeks - I hope he is up to the task (haha-I know he reads this blog). (Please remember to feed the dogs...and the fish.)

Going to finish packing and get ready-I might try and check in on our way to Beijing-adios!  (Oops-wrong country...need to work on that asap.)