transitions....

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.