We leave for Vietnam in 6 days!!!!

We are all packed, that means I am done with my packing list.....

My mom comes in on Saturday, so we will then check everything for the millionth time and weigh the bags...

Hair cut is scheduled for Saturday morning...

Pedicure done....

Brow waxing scheduled for Monday night with G- the brow waxing goddess (who takes forever to get into...)

House is clean and ready for a little person...

My friend M- is coming over the day before we get home and re cleaning our house (bless her for that)....

Me, the husband and the soon to be grammy are all getting full body massages on Wednesday morning (we leave in the evening).....

I can no think of anything else that needs to be done. Amazing.

We got an e-mail saying that when we get into Vietnam and if we are up to it we can go visit our girl..... I said "Oh I think we will be just fine to see her." What I wanted to say was hell yes we want to see her, I don't care if I had to swim the almost 10,000 to get there I would go see her right away!!!!!

We bought a new DVD camcorder for the trip and I think we need to make sure we know how to use it before we go.... I packed the manual on it just to be safe.

We are all so excited to go on this trip, however, my dad is bummed he is not going. He has to many responsibilities at work..... He is coming up to pick us up at the airport. They live in the Nashville area and we are flying into Chicago, so he is making the 470 mile drive to the airport. He insisted on it. He is driving my mom up Saturday and then driving our giant SUV back to TN, with the baby seat all loaded up and ready to go and then will pick us up in Chicago in our SUV.

My dad would have been a great site to see in Vietnam... He is almost 6'8", needless to say he would have been A LOT taller than people over there.... My husband is big too, so I am sure he will not blend in either!!!! :)

I am just rambling on here because my brain has turned to mush.....

I wanted to start out by saying that I am truly thankful for all the friends I have made during my adoption experience. Thank you to everyone for your kind works and good thoughts for us as we finally become a family of 3.

I have 2 friends I would like to single out and thank personally. First, K- thank you so much for the great box of goodies I received yesterday for my sweet little Cami. K- loaded down a box with some super cute clothes, bibs, a baby Einstein book, travel meds, travel info, a soft blanket and a beautiful scrap book for Cami's pictures. K- I am so over whelmed by your generosity, thank you again.

Also, I would like to thank Susan (From God's Hands) other wise known as Lily Ana's mom now!!! She just got home with her little girl and she took the time out of her very busy mom schedule to call me today and give me the 411 on Vietnam travel. I took over 4 pages of notes(that I will recopy in my non-serial killer handwriting) the information you gave me is great and I know it will make our trip easier since you have BTDT. Thank you for sharing, and I can't wait to get our girls together this Summer.

10 days from today we will be on our way to Vietnam. I just really can't believe it is finally happening!!!!

We have been so busy around the house trying to get little things done (and big things too) and tomorrow we have even more to do..... Since we are all packed, we can concentrate on house stuff.

I'll admit, that I am probably borderline OCD with the packing.... I keep checking and re-checking that we have everything we need. I am a list maker and if I did not have organization I would keel over!!! Yes, I know my organization will go out the window once Cami gets home but, I won't care then because she will be home and I will have everything I need here or know were to find it.

My goal tomorrow is to get the family room ready for a little person and set up all her stuff in there.....

10 more days!!!!!!!

So it's official, I am crazy!!!!

I'll give you a little incite on how much my mind is racing.... This morning I hopped in the shower got all cleaned up got our got dresses and after I blow dried my hair I started looking at it and then it dawned on me that I washed by hair but, forgot to use SHAMPOO!!!! Seriously who forgets to use shampoo????

2 weeks from right now we will be on our way to LAX to catch our flight to Hong Kong and then on to Hanoi!!!!!

Hotel Booked: CHECK
Travel Visas: CHECK
Plane Tickets Booked: CHECK
Packed: CHECK
Paperwork Done: CHECK
Extra Copies Of Everything: CHECK

I think I have crossed everything off every list I have!!!!!

We leave on June 6th out of O'Hare. I really truly can not believe we will be united with our daughter soon.

The feelings I have go from excited to scared. Excited because we will finally have our baby girl and scared because we will finally have our baby girl!!!! It has been the husband and I for several years and I can't believe that now we are going to parents, FINALLY!!!!

It sounds funny to me when I talk and say "well my daughter....." I just can't believe our dream of a family is finally coming true. Amazing!!!!

CURRENT MOOD: I feel like a Spider Monkey all jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!

Really, I am so excited it takes all my will power not to grab total strangers and scream "I AM GOING TO VIETNAM IN 2 WEEKS!!!!!"

The Road Less Traveled is getting ready to take this show on the road!!!!

That's right people, we are leaving for Vietnam on June 6th, as I am typing this I am getting a bit teary eyed.....

We have decided to leave a few days earlier than necessary, just to get settled in a bit before Miss Cami joins us. Okay, I am probably lying to myself thinking we can get settled.....

We are packed, we have our travel visas and tickets will be booked any minute!!!!

I really can't even begin to describe the emotions we are going through, I say we because the husband and I are super excited but, my mom is well...... she wants to see her granddaughter. My mom is an RN, and she works about 2 days so she knew going with us would not be a problem. She sent me a text message this last week saying "I have the whole month of June off, let's go get our girl!!!"

I think the funniest one though is my dad. My parents have Harley's and drive all around on them, with that being said I get a call this week saying that they got Cami her own baby jean jacket and my dad is picking out Harley patches for it. So Cami will appear to be a seasoned biker with her jean jacket and Harley patches!!!

I have spent all weekend washing little people stuff (and loved it), cleaning and organizing.

We have the house sitter/dog sitter lined up, a good friend of mine offered to come over right before we get home and spruce up the house and the freezer is full of ready to heat and eat food.

When we finally meet Cami, it will be almost 2 years to the day we started this journey.

This morning we went grocery shopping for the last time with out having a baby with us. I guess that got us thinking, because next time we go it will take planning not our usual roll out of bed put on a hat and go. CRAZY!!!!

I still am getting use to the fact that I have a daughter!!!!!

Because I could not stand to deprive all my blogger friends of the cuteness any longer here is Cami Anh!!!!

We got these photos today and I love how happy she looks.

We are going to be leaving in the next 2.5-3 weeks!!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO EVERYONE, because we are all mom's!!!

My husband, who I happen to be crazy about got me these flowers for Mother's Day. You will also notice the lime, that is for the Corona I got too, nothing like beer and flowers for Mother's Day!!!!

I am floored that I am a mom this Mother's Day. I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that we have a sweet baby girl waiting for us.

When I look at Cami's picture, I think of all the potential she has and how much joy she is and will bring to our lives. I spend all my free time looking at her pictures!!!!

We where DTV for 312 days when we got the call about her, and I can say without a moments hesitation that I would do it all over again for this little girl. I know everything is not going to be rainbows and butterflies but, I know she is worth it.

I know our lives will change forever the moment she is placed in our arms but, to be honest I look forward to it. It has been the husband and I for 7 years now, so we figure that's plenty of us time.

Happy Mother's Day, remember even thought the wait stinks the outcome is great and well worth every single minute of it.

I am up early today so I thought I would post. 3-4 hours of sleep seems to be enough for me these days!!!!

I will be honest in saying that I was not prepared for these emotions I am feeling, I am totally in love with a little 1 inch photo. I have this little tiny picture posted everywhere between work and home! I am expecting new photos today (hopefully).

I did some shopping on my lunch hour yesterday, I just bought a couple cute little Carter's one piece outfits for our trip. I have been washing some little clothes to get ready, for the first time in my life I loved doing laundry. I also ordered her some little white Robeez sandals.

My family and friends are cracking me up about us getting a referral. A few have turned her picture into screen savers and make everyone they work with come and look at her!

MIL had to drop in her stupid comments but, I do not feel like saying what she said. We know she will try and play grandma of the year when others are around but, not really have anything to do with her in private. She is to self centered and if a cute baby is around than it would be harder for people to focus on her!!!

I some other great news, our agency has something worked out with Cami's orphanage that we were given the option of having her moved into private nanny care. Of coarse we jumped on it, I hated to take her away from the only place she has known but, we felt she could get some more one on one care with the nanny care.

I am currently gathering some donations to take to her orphanage, I have contacted Robeez hoping they will donate some shoes for the kiddos.

I am still on cloud nine three days later!!!!

I have now had a day to process the fact that we have a baby. Know we actually know who our girl is and where she is at.

I could stare at her tiny little picture for hours, I printed off a million copies and make everyone I come across check her out.

Sorry I am not speaking in complete sentences tonight, my brain is still on over drive. I think I only slept for maybe 2 hours last night, I kept getting up and looking at her picture.

The funny story is when the call came in we were out in the yard doing some work, I happen to come inside to get a key to our shed. I could not find the key (or else I would not have been in the house) then the phone rang, I almost did not answer it because I wanted to get back outside. When I answered the phone our Vietnam Director said "hi Jody do you have time to talk?" I said sure. Then she dropped the bomb on me "I have a baby girl for you" I said "are you freaking kidding me"???

Then I asked if she could hold on for a second so I could get the husband in the house, he was outside watering the flowers. So being the classy lady I am I screamed out the front window "get in here 911" he said "what do you want" I said "it's M- we have a baby".

The look on his face was priceless, he threw down the hose and ran for the house, she then told us all about our girl and then e-mailed us her picture and information. When she was giving me Cami's information I was writing it down and the husband called my mom.

I then forwarded her picture to everyone.

I called her back today to just go back over everything because I could not think straight when she called.

I can not get over how absolutely stunning she is. I am not just having a mommy brag here, her complexion is perfect. Her eyes are beautiful and of coarse her nose and lips are perfect.

I am overwhelmed with the blessing that she will be to us.

My best friend kept calling me last night, all that she would say was "oh my God your a mom" and then she would hang up and call again later doing the same thing!!!!

The joy in our hearts is so indescribable.

I will steal a line from my friend Susan: My cup runneth over, not only did it run over, it is all over the table and dripping on the floor. That is how full my heart is.

Thank you for all the kind words, that is also priceless to me.

THEY SAY GOD'S TIMING IS PERFECT, NEVER EARLY, NEVER LATE.

Tonight at 7:07 pm our life was forever changed. We received the call we have been waiting 312 days to get, we have a daughter.

CAMI ANH CALVIN is waiting for us in northern Vietnam, she is absolutely the most beautiful child I have ever seen, when I saw here for the first time I knew she was my girl.

I am waiting to post pictures of her until we have her in our arms in Vietnam. We hope to travel in the next 4-6 weeks to bring her home.

She will be 7 months next week.

I would post more but, frankly I am beside myself with pure joy.

I just looked this up, we have been DTV 311 days!!!! That is a long time people. I am feeling that our wait is not going to be much longer (okay hoping and praying).

Looks like our agency is getting some referrals in from the new orphanage they have signed with (according to the director). They sent out a memo on Friday telling everyone about the new orphanage and that there are some fee increases if you accept a referral form there (you do not have to accept a referral from there, you can wait for a referral from the other orphanages they work with) with that being said, we have told them that we would gladly accept a referral from the new orphanage.

If we get a referral from this orphanage then we will fly in and out of Hanoi, I wanted to see Ho Chi Minh but, I think I can survive not getting to go there!!!

I am having fun looking at all the different little hotels there are in Vietnam. I go to www.hotels-in-vietnam.com it gives good information. At first I was stuck in my, we must stay in a western style hotel, I was thinking Somerset or the Hilton (I am a snob about hotels). Today after looking at some of the smaller hotels and talking it over with the husband and my mom we have decided that we want to stay at a small little hotel owned by local people. The one we want to stay a has several pages of great reviews and it's in the middle of everything.

Up until now I have been a bit nervous about this trip, we have never been out of the states before, now I am chomping at the bit to go. I want to experience as much of Vietnam as I can, not only for myself but, for my daughter. It is really hitting me that she will only know about Vietnam what we tell her and show her. We would love to take her back one day but, you never know when and if that will happen or if she will even want to go back.

I don't know that my thoughts and feelings about Vietnam can ever be truly expressed, this is a country I will be forever grateful to for giving me the greatest gift possible.

I know that I complain about being DTV 311 days, I also worry about how much time I am missing in some little girls life. But, I have decided to look at it differently now. I may be missing a few months of her life but, I will have her the rest of my life. I will know how wonderful, talanted and smart she is, Vietnam will not get to see that. Vietnam will see it as she is a lucky baby, coming to America to be raised. I see it as we are the lucky ones, we get to tuck her in at night and watch her grow and flourish.

It is becoming more and more clear to me just how much responsibility it is to be a parent, not only to a child but, a child from another race and culture. (Before some says, well ya duh.... I knew it was a lot of responsibility from the start, now that our referral is closer it is really hitting home).

When we get Kittens' referral I will announce her real name!!!!! I know some of you may be shocked to find out Kitten will not be her real name.....

Well my dear Internet friends, I spoke with our Vietnam director this morning to see what else she had to say....

We are officially #7 on the 0-12 month healthy girl list and #2 on the over 12 months healthy girl list!!!! We are also open to some SNs, so if a girl with SNs that we are open to and fits into our age request happens to come in she is ours!!!! Not that I want a girl to have a SN just so we can have her but, maybe something soon.... We will see.

I hope what I am typing makes since, I am all crazed on ice tea right now.

The new orphanage they are working with is in Nam Dinh, she said about 3 hours outside of Hanoi, I believe east....

I talked to Kitten's grammy the other night (my mom) she was in the Pottery Barn Kids store and got her girl a hot pink super soft blanket, so I am excited to see it. We are also talking about all the shopping we want to do while over there. Thank goodness the husband is so big and strong, he will have to be to carry everything.

My husband is to cute, he is so excited to get his girl home. He has all sorts of plans for things they can do together. I know Kitten will turn her big bear of a dad into a mush bucket.

Well, here is to wishful thinking that May will bring us some good news.

Okay, does it getting any cuter that these????? I saw them today and had to get them, size 12-18 month, so they will fit whoever happens to be our girl.

In other news, our agency added another orphanage to the list of ones they work with. It's in the north by Hanoi, I have not looked it up on a map yet to find out how north or how close to Hanoi but, I will.

They are hoping that this will bring more referrals..... I hope so, there has been a very LOOOOONG dry spell of girl referrals. Our director did tell me they just got 3 complete referrals in today, 2 boys 1 girl. So I am excited for those families.

Other things I know..... There is 1 family ahead of us open to a boy or girl, so 1 of those boys is theirs and then of coarse the little girl goes to another family ahead of us....

The good news then today for us is, we moved up 2 spots!!!!! Now, if they could get about 8 or 9 more girl referrals in then that will cover anyone I know waiting..... And while I am wishing I would like this to happen by Mother's Day.