24 Hour Countdown & Leaving

Tomorrow at this time we will be checking in at the airport with our the kids, our babysitter, 10 large pieces of luggage and a guitar. I'm pretty sure that whole process will involve lots of snipping and snapping at each other as Isabelle bumps herself on something and has a meltdown, Nick tries to stack the suitcases 10 high and use them for a jungle gym and Sam can't decide whether to laugh or cry. Its been pretty crazy this week and we have all been frazzled. Bill just finished a grant application today, I completed all the adminstrative steps to have candidacy for my degree and the kids have been driving us all crazy! All that's left to pack are the carry-on bags complete with crayons, paper, books, snacks and water bottles.

Last night at dinner, Nick looked at us and said very seriously, "Why are we going to Italy?" Apparently, he hadn't occured to him to ask this question during the year of planning. Bill gave him a thoughtful answer about learning new science and Nick's follow-up question was, "And why do we have to go with you?" They then had a conversation about how we would really all miss each other if Bill went for a year by himself and we stayed in Detroit.

Speaking of the year of planning, I can't believe how everyone has listened so patiently to us talk about this for what seems like forever. I know I'm sick of listening to myself talk about it, so I can't imagine how it must be to listen to it. The whole sabbatical process of interviews, approvals, visas, etc. really does take a full year.

So now we vado anno sabbatico.

Postscript, 30 July - Here is a picture of all our luggage waiting in the driveway to be loaded.


Leaving for the airport and our adventure in our various states- Cindy is exhausted from doing the bulk of the packing, Bill and Nick are ready to go, Sam is ready & willing but reserving judgement and Isabelle wants to just get in the car, now!