I cannot tell you the joy I felt when my eyes saw our crates sitting outside our house this morning. My stuff. Finally. Truly, this is a sign that after what seems like an eternity, this crazy transition is nearing it's end. Only a few more days of unpacking, organizing, and putting away before I can say we are "home".
I remember before we left Turkey, our friend Dan made a comment at dinner that I loved. He said that he couldn't wait for that moment when the last box was unpacked and there was nothing left on the moving checklist. When all that's left to do is to resume your routines, to hit the "play" button on your life again. I feel that moment getting closer and closer. And I think, in that moment, that my smile might make my face crack. I can't wait.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Greener Grass
Remember, not too long ago, when I was rambling on about how tough Turkey was and how ready I was to be home? True, Turkey was tough, and true, especially towards the end, we were more than ready to go. But I miss it. Maybe more than I thought I would.
This could have something to do with the fact that we are STILL without any of our stuff (it is due to arrive Thursday, fingers crossed) and I still don't feel very settled here. It could also be in part because of the long hours that Ryan is working and the effort it takes to adjust and plug into a new place. But mostly, I think it is just the human "grass is always greener" tendency.
Why do we so easily forget about the difficulties and remember the good things in our memories? Labor? I can hardly remember that it was painful, but I can remember every line on my newborn's face. When I think back to Ryan's deployment, I can't remember at all feeling lonely or sad, which I know I was. But what I do remember vividly is seeing him walk through the airport towards me after a 6 month separation.
And Turkey? The first things that come to mind now are the best things: afternoon walks with Sarahbee and Peter, game night Fridays at our place, trips to the Optimum, Hatice, big wheels with Isaac and Elijah....and the list could go on and on.
The bad stuff doesn't seem so bad any more. And I am thankful for that.
This could have something to do with the fact that we are STILL without any of our stuff (it is due to arrive Thursday, fingers crossed) and I still don't feel very settled here. It could also be in part because of the long hours that Ryan is working and the effort it takes to adjust and plug into a new place. But mostly, I think it is just the human "grass is always greener" tendency.
Why do we so easily forget about the difficulties and remember the good things in our memories? Labor? I can hardly remember that it was painful, but I can remember every line on my newborn's face. When I think back to Ryan's deployment, I can't remember at all feeling lonely or sad, which I know I was. But what I do remember vividly is seeing him walk through the airport towards me after a 6 month separation.
And Turkey? The first things that come to mind now are the best things: afternoon walks with Sarahbee and Peter, game night Fridays at our place, trips to the Optimum, Hatice, big wheels with Isaac and Elijah....and the list could go on and on.
The bad stuff doesn't seem so bad any more. And I am thankful for that.
Monday, August 6, 2012
The Stebbins Go to Washington.....
We are here!! After a week with family in Alabama, we made our way up the East Coast to our new home.
The last week, if I am being honest, has been really rough. We are just trying to find our rhythm in this new place. We don't have our shipment from Turkey yet, so our house is empty and we don't have much in the way of supplies (I need an iron badly!). Ryan's job will also take some adjustment. We are used to having him home much more than normal. He will doing well to get home by 6:30 here. The pace of life is different, and while it is wonderful, it will take some getting used to. Each night when my head hits the air mattress (yes, we sleep on air mattresses right now), I am exhausted beyond belief. It feels almost like the culture shock I felt in the beginning in Turkey, but in reverse.
In all of the chaos, though, there have been great blessings. Our San Antonio best friends, the Richardsons, live about 2 miles away and have been incredibly helpful. I don't know what I would do without them, actually. Laura, a friend from Turkey, has also been such a blessing. She has kept W while I worked on the house, and just provided some much needed fellowship on these long days in an empty house. Finally, my friend Ellen was here visiting and we got to spend a fun day together.
After such a tough week, I knew I needed an outing to get me excited again about my new home. So we planned a little day trip to downtown DC. The metro system here is incredibly easy, safe, and clean. We hopped on at our station and rode about 25 minutes. Our stop was right in the middle of the National Mall. We spent the afternoon exploring 3 museums and taking in some sights and sounds of our nation's capital.
As I emerged from the Metro tunnel and saw the Washington Monument on my left and the US Capitol on my right, I couldn't help at chuckle at the incredible journey that my life has been the past 2 years. From life in Texas, to living as far removed from American culture as possible, to returning and being right in the very heart of it.........what a way to come full circle.
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