February 26, 2014
February 19, 2014
February 18, 2014
Sweet Home America
We're home...
our home for the next few weeks until we find ourselves in a new place to call home.
We're spending our time settling in, enjoying our time together and remembering what life is like as an American family, while we sort our the details of our next adventure.
Speaking of adventure, I am quite happy we don't have to do another flight to Cartagena.
Remember when we traveled during the holidays and I shared {cough cough, bragged} what a fabulous little traveler our daughter was.
Well I am quite sure the universe decided to show me how it feels to be the parent of that baby on a flight.
And I was.
Lauren did fabulously on our first two flights. In fact, one woman made a comment that she got on the plane smiling and came off smiling. Then we boarded our final flight from Houston to Knoxville and she decided she was done. She screamed for the majority of the flight. Poor little bird was having problems with her ears, she was tired, and was just generally over the experience. I had to walk the aisle, having people stare and stand, bouncing her, for the majority of the flight. When we had to take our seats for landing, she was not happy. There was an elderly gentleman sitting right behind us. During the landing he said, "I've never had a headache this bad in my entire life".
That pretty much sums up that flight.
Matt has two weeks to adjust to our new lifestyle and heads to Texas to start work on March 3. While there he will find us an apartment, to live in while we begin the house hunt {again}. Movers will pack our house here and meet Matt in Houston to unload. The following weekend Matt will head back to Knoxville to meet Lauren and I for our big road trip.
That's our plan...
for now.
But for now, we're just enjoying America and trying to adjust to the idea that we are here to stay!
our home for the next few weeks until we find ourselves in a new place to call home.
We're spending our time settling in, enjoying our time together and remembering what life is like as an American family, while we sort our the details of our next adventure.
Speaking of adventure, I am quite happy we don't have to do another flight to Cartagena.
Remember when we traveled during the holidays and I shared {cough cough, bragged} what a fabulous little traveler our daughter was.
Well I am quite sure the universe decided to show me how it feels to be the parent of that baby on a flight.
And I was.
Lauren did fabulously on our first two flights. In fact, one woman made a comment that she got on the plane smiling and came off smiling. Then we boarded our final flight from Houston to Knoxville and she decided she was done. She screamed for the majority of the flight. Poor little bird was having problems with her ears, she was tired, and was just generally over the experience. I had to walk the aisle, having people stare and stand, bouncing her, for the majority of the flight. When we had to take our seats for landing, she was not happy. There was an elderly gentleman sitting right behind us. During the landing he said, "I've never had a headache this bad in my entire life".
That pretty much sums up that flight.
Matt has two weeks to adjust to our new lifestyle and heads to Texas to start work on March 3. While there he will find us an apartment, to live in while we begin the house hunt {again}. Movers will pack our house here and meet Matt in Houston to unload. The following weekend Matt will head back to Knoxville to meet Lauren and I for our big road trip.
That's our plan...
for now.
But for now, we're just enjoying America and trying to adjust to the idea that we are here to stay!
February 15, 2014
reflections on a Colombian adventure
I thought there would be time to pack slowly, count the weeks, and process the end of this journey.
But that's not how it came to a close and I am okay with that.
I've spent the last few days reminiscing and taking it all in, the last trip to the grocery store, last cab ride to the Old City, last walk around the bay.
From time to time a voice will creep up and make me wonder if I took advantage of this experience:
Did I immerse myself enough in the culture?
Did I take advantage of this opportunity?
Did I enjoy the view enough?
My answer is
Yes.
I did.
When I think back to the person I was three years ago when this adventure began, I realize truly how much I've grown through this experience.
I'm more confident, patient, cultured, and understanding.
Okay, patient might be stretching it.
But this experience has opened up my world.
I've had the opportunity to travel to places I've never dreamed of, push myself out of my comfort zone, and meet people from all over the world.
I've learned to communicate through body language and gestures, stood on top of the Andes Mountains, found geckos in my bedroom, and bathed in mud.
It truly has been an adventure.
but that adventure must come to an end.
While I am ready for our next chapter,
I am so thankful for the experiences and opportunities we have had.
After all, thats what brought us where we are today.
Our Colombian adventure will always have a special place in our hearts as it brought us to our greatest adventure yet...
parenthood.
So thank you Cartagena,
for the culture,
for the experience,
for the memories.
It is good to have an end to journey toward;
but it is the journey that matters,
in the end.
{Ernest Hemingway}
February 14, 2014
February 12, 2014
February 11, 2014
Leidys & Lauren
One of the hardest people to tell that we were leaving was our maid, Leidys.
She has been wonderful to our family, taking such good care of Matt, while I was gone, and helping me get rid of my anxiety about these ridiculous white floors.
She is the kindest woman and is in love with Lauren.
Her first reaction to our news was, "Oh Lauren. Oh my God."
In English.
She plays with Lauren each morning, speaking Spanish to her so sweetly, and Lauren watches her with a big gummy smile.
When I returned to Cartagena I was unsure of what I would do with Lauren when I went to pilates. After speaking with the receptionist about the available days, she agreed to watch Lauren in the waiting room while I was in class on Wednesdays & Thursdays. Fridays I could bring Lauren with me or I could leave her at home with Leidy. I stressed over whether to take her to pilates with me, where she generally falls asleep and sits in her stroller, or leave her at home with Leidy, where she can play with all her toys and can sleep in her swing.
I decided to leave her with Leidy.
And I am so glad I did.
They are so cute together. I leave them playing together on the floor or looking at the ocean and speaking Spanish. By the time I come back, Lauren is napping and Leidy is gushing over what a good baby she is.
She loves her time with Lauren and I don't worry about listening for Lauren's cry in the middle of class.
Leidy is the first person non-family member I've ever left Lauren with.
And she doesn't even speak English.
I think that's pretty baby book worthy.
We will all miss her.
She has been wonderful to our family, taking such good care of Matt, while I was gone, and helping me get rid of my anxiety about these ridiculous white floors.
She is the kindest woman and is in love with Lauren.
Her first reaction to our news was, "Oh Lauren. Oh my God."
In English.
She plays with Lauren each morning, speaking Spanish to her so sweetly, and Lauren watches her with a big gummy smile.
When I returned to Cartagena I was unsure of what I would do with Lauren when I went to pilates. After speaking with the receptionist about the available days, she agreed to watch Lauren in the waiting room while I was in class on Wednesdays & Thursdays. Fridays I could bring Lauren with me or I could leave her at home with Leidy. I stressed over whether to take her to pilates with me, where she generally falls asleep and sits in her stroller, or leave her at home with Leidy, where she can play with all her toys and can sleep in her swing.
I decided to leave her with Leidy.
And I am so glad I did.
They are so cute together. I leave them playing together on the floor or looking at the ocean and speaking Spanish. By the time I come back, Lauren is napping and Leidy is gushing over what a good baby she is.
She loves her time with Lauren and I don't worry about listening for Lauren's cry in the middle of class.
Leidy is the first person non-family member I've ever left Lauren with.
And she doesn't even speak English.
I think that's pretty baby book worthy.
We will all miss her.