First Day of School

Another year, another picture. This year we looked through all of the "First Day of School" pictures, it was amazing to see them change each year. Where did the time go? Can you see Ahnika's braces? She has handled the aches and pains well, she has said several times that she misses fresh vegetables. A mom doesn't hear that very often.

The Night Before the First Day of School

What a difference a year makes. There is simply no comparison to this August and last August, things are amazingly easy the second time around. Since we arrived back in Bangkok on July 27th we have been relaxed yet busy. We have been putting a few more things together in our apartment, baking a lot (all three of the girls) because we now have a bigger kitchen, a full size oven AND a mixer.

Gary and I have spent a lot of time at school, but in a mellow way whereas last August was so stressful: new bank accounts, work visas, setting up internet connections, buying bikes, learning the basics of Thai, buying school uniforms for the girls, figuring where each meal would come from… the list goes on.

But now it is Saturday night and I am ready for school on Monday and I won’t be going in on Sunday. The girls took care of their own uniforms and not only are they familiar with the school they are so comfortable here they were both student hosts today for incoming new students.

Yes, we are still busy. But the stress and anxiety of the unknown is gone. The girls still want to return to the states next summer and that is the plan. So that means that those of you who want to visit us have 9 months. We do have an extra bedroom and bathroom. We also have a lovely new golf cart, bright red, that we are enjoying as we scoot around our community. So if you come to visit us you wouldn’t even have to ride a bike in the heat.

Our Visit to the States

I am writing this as we are flying countless hours back to Thailand, our temporary home. After a mere 5 weeks in the US we have seen so many familiar, wonderful people and it has been great to reconnect while being fed, loved and spoiled. Someone labeled our situation as “rock star status” … need I say more.

Years ago as Gary and I pondered when to go abroad we felt strongly about two things:
1) we wanted the girls to be old enough to remember the experience
2) we wanted them to know where their home and history was. We didn’t want our girls to fall into the category of “third culture kids” or those who move so often that they feel they don’t have a home country and culture. After spending a few weeks in the states, we all know exactly where we belong.

As I sit on the plane I am going through the pictures during our short visit, I have tears in my eyes as I write this. I am simply so grateful.

During the past 5 ½ weeks we have been in 9 different cities….and slept in 12 different places…at least Gary and I have slept in only 12. The girls had many more, it was a sleepover marathon and they wouldn’t have had it any other way. Thank you to each of you who helped us out; with a meal, a bed or a ride here or there. It does take a village, and we know where our village is.