Halloween.

I'm not missing Halloween. With a crazy dog and nervous cats, I never got into it even when I lived in Richmond and there were lots of kids about. Plus, with decorating for Fall and Christmas, I couldn't be bothered to decorate for another holiday so close. But what we are missing tonight is the wedding of our friend Ashley back in Virginia. She is a great friend and an amazingly creative person. She owns Fly Away Cakes, and she made both our wedding cake and the groom's cake, which I surprised Nid with. She is so talented! You can see our cakes on her website. They are the three tiered butter cream with fresh strawberries and the football/soccer cake with the fox logo. Anyway, she's getting married today. And my niece, Caitlin (2 1/2 years old) is her flower girl. And she's going to walk down the aisle dressed as a PUMPKIN! I haven't seen the outfit yet, but I am hoping there will be photos on the internet by tomorrow. I can't wait!!!! We wish we could be there with you guys Ashley!

On another note.... yesterday we went to Sainsburys and got the children's photos taken for their first passports. I'll mail those applications off on Monday. As soon as we (I) finish filling out the I-130 forms, we'll mail those off to the US Embassy in London.Then the waiting game begins. Nothing will happen until they write to us to tell us when our interviews in London are. I am going to go ahead and make appointments for everyone (but me, yay!) to get vaccines updated at our GP. It is good to have the process actually begun.

I have also started writing lists. Everyone that knows me knows I am a list girl. I have lists for everything!

Here is a list of the lists I have started:
THINGS TO TAKE ON THE PLANE - DIVIDED INTO CHECKED AND CARRY ON SUB-LISTS
THINGS TO PACK FOR SHIPPING
THINGS I HAVE TO DO BEFORE WE MOVE
THINGS TO DO AS SOON AS WE ARRIVE
THINGS I ALREADY OWN AND AM STORING IN VIRGINIA
THINGS WE NEED TO FURNISH THE HOUSE

This last list is broken down by room. It includes things I already own (marked with *) and things we'll need to buy. Every day I think of new things to put on it. My theory is, when we get there we're starting over. We'll need all the staples that everyone has. But if we go to Walmart, buy tons of stuff and get home and realize we've missed something, it's not a 5 minute walk to the corner shop and back. So if I have a list, things will go much smoother. Plus, it will cut down on getting things I don't need but think I do in the moment. It's a daunting list! But it makes me feel accomplished. Anyway, that's what I've been up to!