Smatterings

Life is very different from Indiana and quite slow for the kids and me, so far.  Seth's mornings may be full soon, but for now, we spend lots of time creating fun in our home and in our bit of grass.

I flub the language often... I recently told a repair man that there was a baby singing, when I meant to say there is a baby sleeping.  He laughed politely and explained my mistake.  My charades are pretty good, and I can say "I don't understand."  I'm re-learning all my grocery vocab quickly.  Speaking of groceries, we've eaten some random meals, but the boys haven't noticed and Craig is grateful always for whatever is served.

We are beginning to feel at home, at least in our immediate four walls.  We are rested and enjoying a slower pace than the last couple of seasons of life. 

Oh, and I experienced my first earthquake ever today.  It was a baby one, but I was definitely wider awake afterwards.  We were skyping with family, and got to say, "Hey, can we call you back in a bit.  I think we just had an earthquake."  How often do you get to say that?

Vic picked my shoes for playing in the yard.  He's funny like that.

The kids were cold after making "mud soup" outside.  They had hot chocolate and cookies to warm up afterwards.  

Our deluxe fort in the basement.  Lots of energy burned down there daily.

Seth and I finished Prince Caspian from the Chronicles of Narnia this week.  While I was cooking dinner, the boys came to the kitchen to invite me into the wardrobe to Prince Caspian's birthday party.  It was a fun time of make believe that warmed my heart.

Max Man

Sweet Max is almost nine months now, crawling, pulling himself up, clumsily cruising, and chatting lots (mostly ya-ya-ya-ya, loudly).  He is so very happy and smiley.  I'm excited that Max has woken during dark hours only once the past two nights, quite an improvement for him. 

My Birthday

My 36th birthday was exactly one week after we arrived.  We were working too hard on the daily necessities to make much ado.  We did have pancakes, the birthday tradition in our home, and decorations made with found paper, and this card.  The card is still up because it makes me smile.  Make sure to notice the three boys around the Mom.  I'm definitely not Super Mom, but I appreciate the thought.

In Transit

 

 

 

 

 

Have Kids. Will travel

On the Ground

We left Alabama at 2:00 am, Sunday, January 27th, and we stepped in the door of our new home around 8:30 am local time, Tuesday, January 29th.  The four, yes FOUR, legs of our flight went smoothly.  We slept soundly in the airport hotel in Istanbul during our longest layover... not the cheapest option, but the shower and bed were worth every Euro cent.  (If only I would have packed deodorant.)  It took about three nights for the big boys to get over jet lag, five nights for me, and unfortunately about a week for Max.  Our internal clocks are on the new time now, and we are working on settling our hearts here.  The goodbye was hard, oh, SO HARD, but we were greeted at the airport here by familiar faces.  A gift.  Oh, and our house is in our old neighborhood.  Another gift.

Boys with jet lag

Friends and Babies

Our last week before the big move, Craig, Max, and I traveled to DC for Craig's work.  I went to stay with my dear friend Susan who had sweet baby #2 January 1st.  Susan and I met in Korea a few years ago.  As it turns out one of Susan's neighbors (and now friends) is my friend Merrill from our days at South Alabama in Mobile.  What a sweet little gift.  Craig and I gathered at Merrill's with another friend from college and former roommate of Craig's. It was not exactly restful with so many little ones, but it was delightful to be with old friends.  -- We did have some pretty difficult travel on the way home, delayed flights, a major sobbing breakdown at the gate, lost bag, etc.  People were so nice after my breakdown, or they avoided eye contact.  
We had about 14 hours between arriving back at Mom's and departing for Atlanta and the big trip.  Craig's bag was delivered to Mom's at 12:45 a.m., less than 2 hours before we left. 

Max's newly mastered crawling skills

Susan and Kyle's sweet #1

Susan and Kyle's sweet #2

Susan and Babe

The gathering at Merrill's, each couple with their youngest, tired babe

Gatherings

We are now on the other side of the world... I'll have photos to share soon.  Before we left we gathered with family as much as possible.  Here are some photos from my sister's house. 

Max (with his favorite two fingers), Aunt Tane (my dad's sister), and Gee

Big people at the little people table

Serious Lego Business

Vic, Seth, Tyler, Lila, Max, and Pops