packing, planning, packing planning {repeat}

We are still waiting to hear the details of our
in-China itinerary,
which will dictate WHEN K-man will leave next week.
It's a little trickier getting things ironed
out with two boys, in two different provinces,
and a Chinese holiday thrown in there.

I hope to have all the info we need to book flights this afternoon.

But...we definitely do know that they will arrive back home
on May 14.
B's Baccalaureate is May 22 and graduation is May 27.
Great timing.
Although I'm way nervous about a new 4 year old boy sitting
through the ceremonies.
You may need to remind me how badly I wanted to get our
fellas before the end of May.


So now I'm in a packing frenzy.
It's so fun!
And way easier than packing for girls.
Hair-care alone is freeing up an entire suitcase.

As we were heading to bed last night I started
to explain a few things I had packed to my traveling-man...
then said that I would wait to
go over everything later.

He said,
"Are you going to write a book for me on how everything should
be done in China?"

Me,
"No, honey...I'm putting together an instructional DVD."



He knows I'm not kidding.

leaving behind precious treasures

When we went to Ch*na just last year, everyone

stressed how important it was to pack LIGHT.
And so, I did....
well, Lori-style anyway.

But this time I'm determined to pack light,
in the true meaning of the word (I had to look it up).
LIGHT.
REALLY LIGHT.

We are limited to how many suitcases we can
take, and how much they weigh. And believe me,
they will weigh them.
And since I'm dedicating one entire suitcase for
supplies for the babies at the Morning Star Project,
I must, absolutely must, put my self aside and make some
sacrifices in my own packing.

But there are three precious treasures that I will
leave behind that I wish with
all my heart that I could include.

Three loyal things that I know would love
to come along...if only I could squeeze them in somewhere.

Sigh.

Oh...wait. You think I'm talking about my children??
Well....sure, yes...I'd like them to go along.
Yes, definitely I wish they could go.

But.....
that's not what I'm talking about.

Here are the three precious things that I've
decided to leave behind in order to really selflessly
pack light....

My beloved electric toothbrush.
Oh how I will miss your thoroughness in
keeping my teeth and gums impeccably
clean...all in two minutes at a time.
Sniff, sniff.

My incredibly soft and cozy-warm pink
fuzzy robe. It will truly bring a tear
to my eye when K-man cranks the A/C
to its full-strength setting and I am left
shivering without my favorite robe.

But wait a sec...who is that wearing my robe, you ask?
That's Jordan. He is Brenden's good friend
and he borrowed my precious robe for
their school play.
As you can see, I live a very selfless life...
sacrificing my most treasured items for the arts.

Lastly, and certainly far from least...
my hair dryer.
Oh, not just any hair dryer.
MY industrial strength dryer that blows
harder and hotter than any
girly dryer you'd buy at WM.
Trust me, this item will be greatly
missed as I try to tame my mane with
the hotel dryer. Believe me, you'll
notice the difference in every pic of me.

And so it begins,
putting myself aside as I pack with
others in mind.




Oh but, I will be taking back-up hair conditioner.
And mascara.
And plenty of underwear.
And ample hair gel (and spray...and secret serum).

God help me if I ever feel His call to
serve on the mission field in the Congo.