I have to be honest, this is a painful post for me to write. Not emotionally, but physically. Physically, I am in pain. I am in they-poked-me-all-day-with-sharp-needles pain. Ouch. Emotionally, I guess I’m in a little pain also, but it’s more of a there-is-still-so-much-more-poking-to-do pain. It’s not quite as strong as the other, but I expect it will grow the closer it gets to my next appointment.

In case you haven’t guessed, today was my first round of CDC recommended/required shots for our upcoming trip to Africa. I was a good girl, there were no tears. There was a steady stream of naughty words running through my head throughout the process, but I managed to keep a shaky smile on my face and my obscenities to myself. The nurse administering the shots told me she thought I was a trooper. I decided not to tell her what I thought she was at that moment because I have to go back to her for the next round and I don’t need any bad blood between me and the woman wielding the needles. Now that I’m home, however, I’m free to wallow, whine, pout and, of course, explain to Lew that I can’t possibly wash the dishes tonight because my arms are much too sore but they sure do need to be washed. It sure would make my arms feel better if they got washed…

I am dreading the many, many more shots ahead of me but I am also so excited to be getting this done. Every step, no matter how painful, is bringing me closer and closer to my children and that is where I want to be. They are worth the pain and the wait – neither of which I’m enjoying, but both of which I will happily endure to bring them home. Plus I didn’t have to do the dishes tonight.

P.S. My arms hurt.