So much for the list keeping me focused. I had about 16 items on it this morning and have only marked off 2. I think I'm in trouble.
It seems as though my trip keeps getting more complicated! I fly into Vilnius on the 20th. Spend the night there and drive to Klaipeda the next day. I'll be able to visit with Greta a couple of times a day at the orphanage for a few days. Then back to Vilnius to meet with the attorney on the 27th and to court on the 28th. Then back to Klaipeda to get Greta! Then we get her new birth certificate and her Visa, but there may be an additional trip back to Vilnius during this process (go to Klaipeda to get Greta, back to Vilnius to get court documents, back to Klaipeda to get birth certificate and Visa? maybe?). Then back to Vilnius to finish the adoption process - I have no idea what that means!
The current plan is to return to Nashville on Friday, February 12 around 6 pm. Yes, that's a day earlier than I've been telling everyone. Just one more sign of my lack of focus.
Now back to that list...

One week from now I'll be on my way to Lithuania. I'm to the point of not being able to sleep or concentrate! My To Do List is unbelievably long, but maybe it'll help me stay focused. I am so glad to have made contact with a family (the Magalhaes) in Vilnius - through Uncle Bobby's friend (and mmine too) Jerry Farmer's neice Nicki Brooks' friends the Holmes. Did you follow that? I'm looking forward to meeting the Magalhaes in person soon. I've also been e-mailing with an American family who are living and working in Klaipeda (the city where Greta lives). They have adopted 2 boys from the same baby house (orphanage) as Greta. I've also met another family through a Lithuania adoption blog who adopted from the same baby house 3 years ago and who also worked through Bethany. Isn't it a small world?!
Can you tell I'm excited? Now it's time to go work on that list...

Three weeks from today I meet Greta!

My head is spinning with making travel plans! We will leave Nashville on January 19, fly to New York (JFK), overnight flight to Prague, then on to Vilnius, Lithuania. We spend the night in Vilnius then go to Klaipeda on the 21st to meet Greta. We'll go to the orphanage twice a day to visit with Greta for a few days. We'll have internet access in our hotel during this time so I'll be able to post lots of pictures of Greta! Then go back to Vilnius to meet with the attorney on the 27th. Court is on the 28th. The judges decision may be given within a few minutes of court or up to a couple of days afterward. The judge we've been assigned to typically waives the 40 day appeal period. If everything goes as planned, we'll be back in Nashville on February 13.
It seems as though buying a video camera is a good idea for after Christmas shopping!

I've just received my court date in Lithuania! It is on January 28th. I will need to be in Lithuania by the 21st to finally meet Greta in person. I had really hoped to be with her by Christmas, but at least I can start making travel plans. I can't believe I'm finally to this point!

I received an e-mail from Elona in Lithuania. A judge has been appointed to my case who is likely to waive the 40 day appeal period, based on Greta's health. This means that there won't be the typical second trip or, as I was considering, an extended stay in Lithuania.
I should know the court date on Monday but have warned that it will be the end of January - at the earliest. So it looks as though we'll have a Christmas tree up until February because Christmas is not happening until I have Greta and Robert together at home!

I found out yesterday that my file/Greta's visa approval were sent from our National Visa Center to Vilnius, Lithuania. One more step towards getting that very important court date. I'm still counting on spending Christmas in Lithuania!