All packed up.

I am getting excited to get back to the states on Friday!!! Not so excited about the actual traveling part, but excited about the being there part. :)

Tonight Nixon and Sandra offered to keep ALL SIX OF OUR KIDS OVERNIGHT so Nick and I could have some alone time. It has been great. We watched two movies (7 Pounds and PS I Love You) and packed. It's nice to be four (well, more like 3) days away from leaving and be packed! Public kudos to Nixon and Sandra. You're both BRAVE, BRAVE people.

Speaking of public kudos, public recognition needs to be given to Mikey and Georgette who will be staying with our house, HCH kids, and staff while the Mangine 5 are furloughing.

So excited. Lots of plans are made... and really, I am looking forward to all of them! Plus, I am like a lot thinner than I was 6 months ago, so you're all gonna think I look pretty great. Giardia gets a bad wrap-- but come on. 40+ pounds down says that it's not ALL bad. :)

It's also my personal goal to put on at least 10 pounds on furlough. It's not that I feel like I've lost too much weight and need to put some one-- on the contrary. I am just going in with a realistic set of expectations.

Besides, Giardia will be all over that 10 pounds when I get back home to Haiti after 3 weeks.