Well, it is time for summer to begin. School ends on June 13. This summer, Ross agreed for me to fly home a little early with 2 of the girls. He'll follow me 2 weeks later with the other 2 girls.
I always start to get mixed emotions this time of year. Perhaps you can identify, but it is like when you are working a very stressful job all week and you keep thinking, "If I could just make it to the weekend." There is this wonderful delicious feeling all week anticipating your weekend plans (or even better, lack thereof), and as the day approaches, you begin to think of it more and more often. But then Friday afternoon comes, and you also begin to think, "Saturday is almost here, that means Saturday is almost over." Just at the moment you should be enjoying maximum realization that you have made it, you are also dreading that the weekend is going to be over again.
I have always loved my jobs and never really longed for weekends like I am sure some people do. But I do long for my summers. During the summer, I leave so many things that are hard...like struggling at the grocery store just to ask where an item is; escaping a culture that is fascinating, yet so very different from mine that it can be exhausting just to function here; and missing the comforts of home. And then also I gain so many things when I arrive back in the USA...some of my favorites are the worship at my home fellowship; walmart/target/walgreens and the ease of shopping there; delicious restaurants with variety and menus in English; and the most treasured, time with family that we have left. So I am just on the verge of getting all that, but I also know that as soon as it begins, it will quickly pass and we will leave again. No deep theological point here, just one of those weird feelings I get this time of year. It has gotten easier to leave, but I doubt I'll ever call it 'easy'.
Annika, Eva and I will leave on Wednesday morning to begin the 24 hour journey home. I so wish I weren't leaving my other kids. I have the laundry caught up and meals in the freezer and their summer clothes packed for them, but how do I leave my heart behind for them should they need it? Phone calling...emailing...a little treasure from Mom to open each morning...still, I'll be glad when we are reunited.
10 comments:
Oh girl, I get it - and my "culture" here has to be 10 times easier than yours there. But you know what I just did?? Reserved tickets to AR for next month...and wanna take a wild guess where my plane actually lands b/c LIT was too $$$$?
Are YOU landing in Memphis?????WHEN??????
EEK!!!! July 3rd. OMW - am I really going to get to see you again?!
I'll be there!!!! How long are you staying??
I can't wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!
Eat a Reese's Cup Blizzard for me.
I wanted to say congratulations on expecting a boy. I am so excited for you as you know boys are really special in our house. Hope you all have a great time in the states.
Kelly
Dearest Sara:
Hoping you are having a wonderful summer. It was good to read the blog. A boy, a boy, a boy!! I am grinning from ear to ear. I related to every word, not having a brother and having two girls first. Thing of it was I had to pray to get my son. I just made up my mind, took my Bible, opened it to I Samuel and respectfully asked God if He could give Hannah a son, why couldn't He give me one . . . No boys in our family! I'm sure I've told you all this before. Having babies brings out all the baby stories, doesn't it? Ahhh. It's such a wonderful event, you can't help but remember your own.
I only had one of my naturally, and that was enough. I was not a gluten for pain. Ha, ha. I had to have my last one by Ceasarean because of his size . . . He was a whale. Expect your son to be bigger than his sisters. [big smile]
I think it is all wonderful and can't wait to tell my kids. Thanks for letting us share your blog.
Love you all!
Melanie, Dave, Kathleen, Karoline, Maverick and Matt
Dearest Sara:
Hoping you are having a wonderful summer. It was good to read the blog. A boy, a boy, a boy!! I am grinning from ear to ear. I related to every word, not having a brother and having two girls first. Thing of it was I had to pray to get my son. I just made up my mind, took my Bible, opened it to I Samuel and respectfully asked God if He could give Hannah a son, why couldn't He give me one . . . No boys in our family! I'm sure I've told you all this before. Having babies brings out all the baby stories, doesn't it? Ahhh. It's such a wonderful event, you can't help but remember your own.
I only had one of my naturally, and that was enough. I was not a gluten for pain. Ha, ha. I had to have my last one by Ceasarean because of his size . . . He was a whale. Expect your son to be bigger than his sisters. [big smile]
I think it is all wonderful and can't wait to tell my kids. Thanks for letting us share your blog.
Love you all!
Melanie, Dave, Kathleen, Karoline, Maverick and Matt
Well, I found you! I remembered a partial address for your blog and logged onto it but knew when I read that "you" stayed in bed with Budda and a hangover that I must be in the wrong place . . . Ha.
As always we enjoy hearing about the kids and all the adventures. Congratulations on your new son-to-be! Boys were quite an experience for me. I'll warn you that they get next to Mom's heart in a special way. :)
Love you all-
Melanie and Family
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