9:16 p.m. Polar Vortex??? It is so cold out side that it feels like little needles are prickling my face when I take my cute puppy Bailey out for a walk. The left over coffee in my mug on the way to work was frozen when I jump in the car to head home and we just recieved a call from the school district cancelling schools because of how dangerously cold it is outside. This is winter in Minnesota where the temperature is -22 with the wind chill. I'm two days away from jumping on a plan and heading to India for the first time and I am so looking forward to some warm weather. But, the journey to get there is going to be a long one and it starts tonight because I have been told to start taking my malaria pills two days before travel. Hopefully I won't have any side effects. Will let you know.

I'm trying to spend some wonderful last minutes with the kids before I go but our schedules are always so crazy that I'm finding it most important to treasure the little moments. Just received a little visit from Josh where he showed me how he could make the letter 'A' with his match box cars. Too cute.

I'm a little stressed about packing. I've talked to a bunch of people at work and read a bunch of blogs online advising me what and how to pack. I have learned two things...pack light on clothes in order to leave room for all the essentials you can't get there like your favorite headache medicine or favorite sunglasses. I went to Target the other day to stock up on my essentials and left with a full bag of stuff that will most definately take up half of my suit case. I have also spent a lot of time looking for the right carry on bag that is small and compact, fits my laptop, camera, identification and plugs for my electronics. I think I'm all set there.

Now on to my suitcase...