What Will We Be Doing?

So I thought I would share a bit of our "itinerary" with everyone so you can have a better idea of what we will be doing when we are in Ethiopia. Keep in mind that ET is approx 7 hours ahead of Eastern Time. Here it is:

• Wed 12/23: Leave for ET in the evening.
• Thurs 12/24: Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia around 11pm. Check in to hotel which is right next door to care center (literally) where Cullen is. Sleep (I have no idea how i am going to do this with my little boy asleep right next door!!!
• Friday 12/25: Orientation in AM then will meet Cullen right after! Spend day at care center with Cullen and playing with other children
• Saturday 12/26: Spend day at care center with Cullen.
• Sunday 12/27: Leave in the AM for Durame (without Cullen), a town about 5-6 hour drive south of the capitol of Addis Ababa. This is the region where Cullen was born and where he first came into care (Holt has a care center in Duram). We will get to see the region, tour Holts intake/care center in Durame and possibly get to meet Cullen's mom.
• Monday 12/28: Leave in AM to head back to Addis. Hopefully take custody of Cullen when we get back (if not then on Tuesday)
• Tuesday 12/29: Hang out in hotel with Cullen. Appointment at US Embassy in Addis for an interview to get Cullens visa to travel home (he will travel home with an ET passport and a US visa).
• Wednesday 12/30: Fairwell ceremony at care center. Shopping trip to leper hospital, etc.
• Thursday 12/31: Hang out at hotel with Cullen and wait for visa to be issued. Fly home around midnight.
• Friday 1/1: Arrive home in Boston at 4pm!!!!

We are very excited to meet a number of families that will be traveling with us. I have gotten to know a few pretty well over email, yahoo groups, and on the phone so it will be great to share this amazing experience with them.

Can't wait to see you all when we return!!! Just over 48 hours till we leave....YIKES! I need to get some good cuddle time in with my girl the next two days....