Emotions

Well we are back from a weekend away over easter. It was great! Our children were able to take place in the childcare program for 3 days which was an awesome blessing for us. We took an afternoon off and went swimming one day- just the two of us! I dont think we had done that since before we had kids. The kids loved the childcare workers so we didn't feel too bad ditching them for a day.
A conference like that where we were surrounded by people who understood where we were at it was hard not to feel lots of emotion. It was the first time in almost 2 years where I felt like I was really understood. Not that I wasn't understood before when we were still living in Canada but its just different when it comes from people who know what it is really like to transplant your family with two small kids halfway across the world to a very different culture, religion, city, language, foods etc. It was great to hear people share their experiences and helpful advice. It was also great for our kids to be in a setting where they had english speaking grandparent figures to love on them for 3 days.
We came home tired but happy.
Now we are getting more into routine with language learning and its hard finding a balance between studying and lessons, time to just hang out as a family, personal downtime (which is hard for any mom I think regardless of where they are located) and time as a couple. As well as just exploring the city. So I get emotional sometimes when I feel overwhelmed about it all and when I miss things from home (mostly people-but a good bag of tortilla chips and some salsa would be awesome right now!).
Im not really a fan of tears and I dont usually take alot of time to be emotional. It seems here that it is one way to adjust and process. All of us even the kids have had days where for no reason we are just grumpy and moody. Its different from home during those times. I can't quite put my finger on it but I know it has to do with being in a new place like this and not having the familiarity of things we are used to.
However, there are things I absolutely enjoy and love about being here too. The people are great with kids. At home, if I would have trouble with the kids while in a store or out for a walk or something, generally you dont expect anyone to help you. Here people help all the time. As I walk with the kids to the train station which is 1 flight of stairs down and 1 flight up (we have to go underneath the station to get to the shops) almost always, somebody carries Child #1 up or down or at least holds his hand while I hold the other hand. And the few times I have used the stroller, there is always someone willing to help carry it up and down the stairs. People are very willing (sometimes too much from what I am used to) to hold our kids and play with them.
I also love the food. Despite the absence of anything decently Mexican (no salsa or nachos!) and no cilantro or basil- we are all really enjoying the food here. I also love the weekly bazaar where you can get everything from great produce to kitchen wear to slippers and hair accessories and pretty well anything you can think of. And it is all super cheap. I got Pajama pants for less that $1.50.
So overall we are doing well. And I think I have to remind myself that it is OK to feel emotional at times. We have experienced so many changes over the last 18 months its hard to process them all sometimes. (not all are bad changes but still changes-even good ones add stress sometimes).
Well I think thats it for now. My goal tonight is to sort out some potential tax confusions due to us leaving the country.