Next Step....Court Date

I've have been meaning to fill everyone in on the latest updates that we've received DAYS ago to no avail. My work week is just so busy and then when the weekend rolls around I'm busy playing "catch-up"! Here goes:

November 22: Brandi informed me that she had received our referral packet in the mail (We mailed it out on 11/19!) She is still waiting for the paperwork from our social worker to arrive.

November 23: I had my "Next Steps" call with Brandi. I was taking notes like crazy. On that call we learned about what paperwork needed to be turned in to the courts in order for a court date to be set. We also talked about the travel itineraries and were given some "assignments" to keep us busy. One of our assignments is to put together a photo album for Baby E to be taken with us on the 1st trip. We will have to put together an album for the birth family as well, also to be taken on the 1st trip. I think I'm going to do that in the form of an actual photo book. My creative juices are starting to flow. The last thing we have to do is write a letter to the birth family. Oh My! I already know that's going to be difficult.

November 30: Brandi called. It just so happened that I had just dropped off one of my kiddos at afternoon Kindergarten. I was back in the classroom settling back in when I felt my phone buzz. When I looked at it and saw "AGCI Brandi" I jumped up and told my co-worker "I gotta get this!" I ran out of the room, past the front office and down the hallway to the break room. We were just chatting away. I was expecting her to tell me that she received the paperwork from my social worker...NOPE!

B: I have a court date for you.
Me: WHAT!!?? Oh my God...Are you serious?? (slight squealing going on)
B: (Laughing at me) I'm sure she gets a kick out of my sound effects.

*Our court date is February 1, 2011*

Right after Brandi told me what our court date is, I started freaking out: "Oh my God we're going to be there for her birthday are we going to be there for her birthday that would be so great if we could be there for her birthday! (breath) Okay, I'll be quiet now so you can actually tell me what I need to know."
B: (Laughing at me again)

Unfortunately we can't stay until her birthday which is February 4th. How I so wanted to be able to celebrate her 1st birthday there with her. Oh well..we'll be there close enough.

After I hung up with Brandi, I immediately called John.  Then.. I think I started skipping down the hallway towards the office. I started squealing again, telling my supervisors about the court date. I literally started jumping like a rabbit from the office back to my classroom. I was totally high for the rest of the day.

December 4: I think I have all the pics that I want to put in the baby's photo book. I've chosen a few for the birth family but will work more on that next weekend.

Can you believe I haven't gotten our travel itinerary yet?