We're Finally Leaving for New York Today?!?!? Yeah Right....

So Rachel just woke me up about 10 minutes ago. We were laying in bed and I said to her that having these 3 weeks or so in between leaving our lives in DC and actually leaving for Israel have made it even more hard to believe that we really are going to be living in Jerusalem for a year. It was surreal enough the month of May while still in DC, and now it seems truly impossible. Yet, as I look into the next room and see our 6 duffel bags, 2 carry on suitcases and 2 backpacks, all packed and weighed, and what we have been working with as far as how much stuff we can actually bring with us, it seems real -- sort of hilarious and ridiculous -- but real. Lenny is still in bed, and Rachel and Bethami are upstairs having some sister time. The cats are running through the house like crazy, obviously excited to have so much room to play. A few days ago Zeke was at the bottom of the steps and Sadie was in the den, and they took off running full throttle towards each other like they were playing chicken, and both veered off at the last minute to avoid serious injury. The last night we were in WV I was singing the Jefferson's song "Movin' On Up" to them as they now live in by far the biggest house yet. Rachel is going to make pancakes for everyone shortly, then last minute packing and showers and then we're off for Columbus. We have no idea what is going to happen at the airport today and tomorrow with all of our bags. We are keeping our fingers crossed that they will let us take everything on the plane and that it doesn't cost too much. Luckily we are still in la-la land so saying goodbye to the cats won't be as hard as it should be. Through this whole experience I have truly understood how amazing the human body and mind really are as I have seen how mine has worked together to keep me from being emotionally overwhelmed. In case you're wondering why there are numerous posts before telling you that this blog even exists, we haven't had a chance to make a list of people we want to send it to and we want there to be several things to read the first time you take a look at our blog. And we really wanted to post a few things before getting to Israel. I can already tell that if I make it a habit to do this daily I am going to get really into and enjoy sharing our journey with you. The next blog will either be from New York tonight or tomorrow or from Israel once I am functioning again after the jet lag wears off. Did I say this is all sinking in? Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about. Be sure to check out the photos. http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=uhv86xw.sm54ezo&x=0&y=-31c5hq

Mom, Are We There Yet?!?!?

For now it seems most posts will be from me as I'll have much more free time than Rachel, but we can't be sure of that yet since our new life together has not really begun. So for now, it's about 8pm on Saturday June 16th. We are in Cincinnati with Bethami and Lenny and of course the cats Zeke and Sadie. Rachel just told me we need to finish packing, so let's see how long that takes (it is now 8:04). And now it is 11:44...and I dare any agent at a ticket counter tomorrow and Monday to tell me that any of my bags weigh too much. I swear I am going to dream all night tonight and tomorrow night about unpacking our bags and just throwing stuff everywhere just because I can. Poor Lenny has been slaving away getting our computers and external hard drive set up, and my dad called my computer to "talk to me" yet all he did was ask Lenny questions about his computer situation at his office and what kind of computer to get at home. So we are in pretty good shape which means we can sleep in some tomorrow, have a yummy pancake breakfast thanks to Rachel and leave Cincy early so we can get to Columbus in plenty of time to hang out before going to the airport. Our flight is at 7ish direct to Laguardia, and then we stay at a hotel and head to JFK Monday by 4pm to do whatever it is NFTY needs us to do to earn the free plane tickets that they gave us. If someone told me right now that we have to wait another week to leave for Israel we would take any mode of transportation available and go anywhere in the world to get to Israel -- kind of like what the TB guy did -- because we just cannot handle the limbo any longer. It has been so wonderful to spend time with friends and family these last 3 weeks, but it has also been stressful and frustrating as we have been living out of bags and constantly packing and unpacking and sorting and eliminating. So back to the cats.... We will miss them dearly, although we know they are in wonderful loving hands living with Sam & Dori (Rachel's parents) for the year. Our cats are so awesome (this has never been contested) that we feel like we need some kind of contract with Dori to get them back next year. Don't be shocked if she goes MIA next May with the cats in tow. They have both slept with us each night we've been in Cincy, and I hope they keep us company one more night.