Drum roll, please...

We're coming home! Mark had uneventful travel home today, walked in the door, listened to phone messages, and then learned that the paperwork showed up and we are clear to leave NC! Steph's dad flies in to NC tomorrow afternoon to help us with the drive home. We are hoping to arrive on Friday evening of sorts. Ah... We've completely demolished Grandma's little house, so we have some cleaning to do tomorrow as well as packing, but we can do it. Biggest prayer request would be for the little guys on the road - Eli is so worn out that he could easily sleep most of the drive, but Toby is becoming abhorred at the thought of the smallest car ride, and Ishmael really likes to be held... But we're going home! :) And Mark reports that Mumbe the fish is still alive and is actually healthier than when we left, thanks to Stan the fish doctor. Thanks, Stan!

Thanks to everyone who has journeyed through this with us! Next big step - Ish goes to the pediatrician on Tuesday, so we will have a better picture of what is ahead. We have a great pediatrician and know that she is already researching about his condition, so Tuesday should be pretty informative. He'll also be getting vaccinations, unfortunately for him...

Next post should have pictures! Cleveland fell back again tonight... No action for the Pirates that I can quickly determine in regards to the spring training standings.

An aside - one of the blessings of this trip... My grandmother definitely had many opportunities to see Mark for who he is this past week, and in her words (paraphrased, of course, as my memory is affected by minimal sleep), "It was a pleasure to get to know him better and see that he is a great man." He is a good daddy (and husband) - can't wait to be all together again!