We're really excited about moving into the house. The hotel we have been staying at is a suite, but even under the best of circumstances, it's tight with a giant dog crate in the middle of the room and Ada's Pack n'Play in the kitchenette. We're ready to cook in our own kitchen, not have to haul laundry up and down the stairs in hopes of an open machine, and ready to be able to hook up a printer. It took a week or so, but the hotel staff has warmed to us and give Ada lots of smiles at breakfast. I'm grateful for really strong coffee, too.
37 days in a hotel with 3 kids and a dog. We're nearly there.
And then there's the house. Slightly overwhelming to think about. I need to focus on priorities... kids' rooms, kitchen, how to handle coats, backpacks and shoes, and patiently waiting for another 2 weeks for internet access at the house. We might have to look into a portable hotspot, as much of the kids' school communication is online.
Sometimes I think of a dear friend who spent two years in Togo, Africa and I reevaluate my level of patience.
So many things have gone smoothly. I hardly bear to speak the words, but there have been no child meltdowns about missing America. They absolutely miss their friends and most definitely church, but I am in AWE of how well they have adapted to this transition. This is their third week of school and they are off and running. We dropped Ren into third grade due to a number of circumstances and he's hardly skipping a beat. We have asked so much of them and they have been amazing in this process.
I am a really lucky mom.
I vascillate between being so excited about things here and so frustrated, as well. I thought I'd do a list of what I love and what I grumble about.
What I love about being back:
- Fresh bread. Countless varieties, from grainy broetchen to pretzels to spelt loaves. All manner of yumminess.
- Church bells. They're hypnotic and soothing.
- Trains. It's not cheap, but there's something fun about taking the train and walking, as long as I don't have to carry too much.
- Restaurants. The table is yours for the night, they use glass and tablecloths even for kids, and ethnic restaurants are quite patient with multiple children in tow. I wouldn't go so far as to say dining out is relaxing, but when we find a babysitter, I'll give an update.
- Walking paths. They're everywhere. From town to town in the fields of apples, wheat, rapeseed, or whatever is growing.
- Sunday quiet. It's custom to take a walk with family on Sunday afternoon. Drew and I both took a deep breath of calm on our first yesterday afternoon. There's no shopping on Sunday (except restaurant dining) and the streets are quiet
- Vacation. So many great places so close.
What I miss already:
- Friends and family. You know who you are. We think of you so often.
- Church. Because it's family.
- Friendliness. There is something inherently friendly and cheerful about most Americans as compared to the locals. It's hard watch someone not even crack a smile as Ada sings on the train.
- Pay at the pump. Yep, no pay at the pump gasoline.
- Large parking spaces. I wedge a diaper between the door of my car and the next car just to get Ada out.
- Convenience of common language. I miss a lot of details in my limited German.
That's it for now. Ada is awake, so we're off for an outing before we pick up kids. Hopefully we'll be in our house the next blog entry.
