We are halfway through our time here. Halfway through this transition period. Some days have been good and others hard. We stayed with my grandma for the first week that we were here and that was good. My parents finished the renovations of their basement enough so we could move in and now we have been settling in here. Its been hard to watch our kids, particularly child #1 struggle with the changes. He was happy and comfortable at home. Then we packed up his stuff, gave some of it away, left everything he knew and came here. He knows his grandparents and they are somewhat familiar but it is not home. He has had a rough time going to bed or letting us out of his sight. He has been trying our patience. He is displaying his discomfort with the transition and his insecurities of leaving all thats safe and familiar behind. He is physically showing what we are feeling mentally and emotionally. Its hard living out of a suitcase and not being able to picture home - because we don't have one and don't know how long it will be until we get a home again. We are visitors here, but when we leave we wont be going home. We will be heading into the unfamiliar.
Overall though it has been a good 2 weeks. We have stayed healthy despite the cold, and have enjoyed seeing family and friends.
With less than 2 weeks before we fly away, we hope to see more people. We hope our bags arrive on Wednesday with everything intact and then reorganize things a bit so we don't have a billion carry on bags to deal with. There are a few last minute items to purchase, places to go and papers to file-but we are seeing the end in sight. Or the beginning. Whichever.
We are so thankful for child #2 who is always smiling. Having someone always happy and smiling around helps balance the emotions. Doesnt matter what happens, there is usually a smile. She wakes up smiling, and sleeps smiling, and when Child # 1 knocks her down, usually she thinks its a game and smiles. Although it is challenging at times having 2 small kids, we are so grateful that she is easy going and happy. She keeps us sane.
Well, they are both napping and we have to prepare to go to someones house for dinner. We have met these people once, so we do not know them well, but they have young kids also so that should help us fit in. Travelling in the winter is something I have never had to do with our kids and it takes us about 20 minutes longer than normal to get out the door. I am thankful for the snowsuits we have borrowed for the kids. Perhaps I will post pictures of them soon.
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Saying Goodbye...
Saying Goodbye is a strange thing sometimes. Over the last number of months we have slowly been saying goodbye to people or places.
Often I would find myself somewhere and wonder, will this be the last time I am here for a long time? Is this the last time I will be taking my kids here? When will I see this person next? Its not easy to say goodbye. The last 2 weeks we have said goodbye to so many friends and family. Tears have been shed and many hugs given. As I sat on the plane and watched the mountains disappear into the horizon, I couldn't help but reflect on the last few years. I was not quite 20 when I moved to BC. I made the journey and did not know anyone. I was ready for something new, excited for the people that I would meet and the experiences I would have. Little did I know that I would leave 8 years later with my husband and 2 kids and so many memories.
We have left family and close friends behind. I have so many memories with many of you. I am so thankful for all of you who have shaped and influenced my life and have poured your time and energy into my family and my children. I sincerely hope that we will remain close. I am sad when I think about the fact that I although I want to remain close to all of the people I know, sadly, many people will not stay in touch and will move on without us. I have hope though that we will remain close with many of you and that this journey will deepen our friendship. I hope to see some of you when you visit.
As we go into the next few weeks before we leave, we are preparing for more goodbyes and more last hugs and more tears. I will cherish this time with family and even though I know we will meet again (hopefully soon) it is still hard. I know we will miss weddings, birth and unfortunately, probably some funerals too. But we know in the end that this is what we are called to do and even though it is hard and a big part of me would rather stay in my own house with all of my stuff, I know this is the step we must take and have been working towards for many years. We are excited to embark on this adventure and hopefully, you will come along too; whether visiting us in person or sending us updates on your life and adventures here at home.
So thank you to all of you who have made me who I am and have spent time with us as we got ready to leave. We feel so blessed by you.
Often I would find myself somewhere and wonder, will this be the last time I am here for a long time? Is this the last time I will be taking my kids here? When will I see this person next? Its not easy to say goodbye. The last 2 weeks we have said goodbye to so many friends and family. Tears have been shed and many hugs given. As I sat on the plane and watched the mountains disappear into the horizon, I couldn't help but reflect on the last few years. I was not quite 20 when I moved to BC. I made the journey and did not know anyone. I was ready for something new, excited for the people that I would meet and the experiences I would have. Little did I know that I would leave 8 years later with my husband and 2 kids and so many memories.
We have left family and close friends behind. I have so many memories with many of you. I am so thankful for all of you who have shaped and influenced my life and have poured your time and energy into my family and my children. I sincerely hope that we will remain close. I am sad when I think about the fact that I although I want to remain close to all of the people I know, sadly, many people will not stay in touch and will move on without us. I have hope though that we will remain close with many of you and that this journey will deepen our friendship. I hope to see some of you when you visit.
As we go into the next few weeks before we leave, we are preparing for more goodbyes and more last hugs and more tears. I will cherish this time with family and even though I know we will meet again (hopefully soon) it is still hard. I know we will miss weddings, birth and unfortunately, probably some funerals too. But we know in the end that this is what we are called to do and even though it is hard and a big part of me would rather stay in my own house with all of my stuff, I know this is the step we must take and have been working towards for many years. We are excited to embark on this adventure and hopefully, you will come along too; whether visiting us in person or sending us updates on your life and adventures here at home.
So thank you to all of you who have made me who I am and have spent time with us as we got ready to leave. We feel so blessed by you.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Packing..with two kids
Its an adventure packing. For anybody. But throw 2 kids 2 and under into the mix and a small space and its nearly impossible. One of the favourite activities for our kids is to "help". They love to help unpack and unload things. This is useful except when we are actually trying to pack. Yesterday, we got rid of our changetable dresser -its a two in one- and taking all the clothes and diapers out was fun but trying to keep them organized in a suitcase where the dresser was is a challenge. They like to jump on top, unzip it, climb inside, throw the clothes out and put them back in. Whatever- I guess if there is nothing else in their room its not a big deal. We have 7 full hockey bags and 1 rubbermaid packed and ready to go. We are hoping to only have 3 bags more at most. Everything else is in bins of give-away, throw out, MCC, or maybes-if we have room we will bring it and if not...well...hopefully we will find a spot for it somewhere else. We dont want to leave anything in storage. Some things are on loan indefinitely.
So that's our house right now. Child #1 is doing OK with the craziness- a little clingy and sensitive, crying at the drop of a hat. I think he wonders whats going on and even though we explained to him whats happening, I think he is a little insecure as he sees his dresser leaving and toys and books being packed up. Child # 2 couldn't be happier. Other than deciding to sprout 2 teeth this week, she is in great spirits and thinks all of this is exciting! Everything should be done by Friday when our bags are getting picked up to begin their journey across the country. As sad as that day will be, I'm looking forward to be done packing and can focus on cleaning and getting rid of whats left, and packing our smaller bags that we will be living out of for the next 6 weeks or so. Happy organizing to us!
So that's our house right now. Child #1 is doing OK with the craziness- a little clingy and sensitive, crying at the drop of a hat. I think he wonders whats going on and even though we explained to him whats happening, I think he is a little insecure as he sees his dresser leaving and toys and books being packed up. Child # 2 couldn't be happier. Other than deciding to sprout 2 teeth this week, she is in great spirits and thinks all of this is exciting! Everything should be done by Friday when our bags are getting picked up to begin their journey across the country. As sad as that day will be, I'm looking forward to be done packing and can focus on cleaning and getting rid of whats left, and packing our smaller bags that we will be living out of for the next 6 weeks or so. Happy organizing to us!
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
The beginning
We are two crazy people embarking on a crazy adventure with our two small kids. If you want to hear what we are doing and the adventures we are having please check in here. No promises about how often we will post but we hope we can give you a bit of a glimpse into our life as we prepare to leave N. America and head into the great, wide world and all the adventures I am sure we will have.
Currently, we are packing our lives into 10 hockey bags and getting ready to head to Ontario in 2 weeks where we will spend some time with my (Renee) family before we leave the country. We will post again soon. Its always an adventure trying to pack with our two very active children who love to help unpack!
Currently, we are packing our lives into 10 hockey bags and getting ready to head to Ontario in 2 weeks where we will spend some time with my (Renee) family before we leave the country. We will post again soon. Its always an adventure trying to pack with our two very active children who love to help unpack!
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