PACKING.....

PACKING...... SO what does 50 lbs = in my suitcase ....112 dresses that the ladies & young women at my church made, http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/ , 24 boys T-Shirts (thanks Dawn) 16 books, 18 headbands 10 pair ballet slippers, 8 balls, 6 color books & crayons, 8 trucks,  6 sesame street stamps, 4 slinkys, 36 bubbles (thanks Monique) , 20 pair flip flops, 6 paddle balls, 8 mini frisbees, 20 CHOC T Shirts for the Kenyan Team members, & LOTS of stickers! It was easy to pack that suitcase. Now packing for me has been more of a challenge.....scrubs, clothes for 13 days?, my "nurse" supplies, lots of Purell, medications of every kind in case I get sick, power food (Meal Bars in many varieties, Dried fruit & Trail Mix -(thanks Cheri), crystal light mixes, oatmeal packs, pnut butter etc) I am packing based on the Op Smile list & advice from others.  They say you never know what you will have to eat & sometimes the days are long into the night & you just want something quick to eat & then go to bed. 

My Visiting Teachers from church brought me over some magazines & all sort of great stuff...really I think I am pretty ready - just not organized & I need to get "my lives" organized to be gone for 2 weeks - CHOC, my store, my family etc.....lists all around for everyone - so many details you take care of every day that you never think about. I have been gone for 5 days before but this will be the longest I have ever been away from my family.  They will be fine days 1-5 its days 6-13 that are new territory for all of us.  With Ryan away at school Doug will be in the house w/ 3 teenage/young adult girls....wish him luck - he may need a little break from all the hormones & emotions! The girls are mostly worried that they will have food in the frig & dinner - no worries a Costco run was done yesterday :) & while I won't be filling the freezer w/ meals I will leave a list of ideas for them! As I pack it is really just sinking in that I leave in 2 days...Tuesday morning....WOW!!!   I am both excited & a little nervous at not having any idea of what to expect...definitely an adventure!