A kitchen table here, a shower curtain there, and we are nearly settled into our new home in Washington. It was a long journey getting here.
Kyle started work days after our arrival, and I stayed in Portland with the mother-in-law. I was certain me and my children would be the most insane inconvenience and drive my mother-on-law and her new husband to drink hard liquor-- but the arrangement was actually kind of wonderful. Kyle spent his lunch breaks video-calling me from apartment complexes and I drove up on the weekends in desperation, but we didn't like any of the places. I had almost completely given up when a complex less than a mile from Kyle's work offered a three-bedroom apartment on special. We walked inside and fell madly in love.
We miss our friends, and the sunshine, and the familiarity of a place that, even though it kills me to admit it, really became HOME. But Amman, Jordan became home, so I think Maple Valley, Washington has a fighting chance, too.
Lately, London has been getting cuter. She does this thing when she's tired and doesn't want to be obedient: "I'm always sorry, mom. I think I'm a yittle bit grumpy because I'm always, always, always, always seepy." [She uses the word "always" five times in each sentence.] Her prayers have been getting longer and sweeter. I caught her on camera, but she realized I was taping her and started acting crazy--- I still love it.
Elle magically changed from a sad, needy baby to an adorable, laughing one. She rolls to her belly now, and would prefer to stay that way all day if only her little baby neck could hold her head up that long. Is it too soon to say I can't wait to do it all over again? Best to stick with the whole "every two years" thing.
Kyle started work days after our arrival, and I stayed in Portland with the mother-in-law. I was certain me and my children would be the most insane inconvenience and drive my mother-on-law and her new husband to drink hard liquor-- but the arrangement was actually kind of wonderful. Kyle spent his lunch breaks video-calling me from apartment complexes and I drove up on the weekends in desperation, but we didn't like any of the places. I had almost completely given up when a complex less than a mile from Kyle's work offered a three-bedroom apartment on special. We walked inside and fell madly in love.
There are things to get used to; like how stores don't bag anything you buy, everyone drives the speed limit, only Mormons have children, and of course, the never. ending. rain. On the plus side, London would live with her sweet cousins and "Aunt Missa" if I let her-- and most importantly, Kyle LOVES his job.
We miss our friends, and the sunshine, and the familiarity of a place that, even though it kills me to admit it, really became HOME. But Amman, Jordan became home, so I think Maple Valley, Washington has a fighting chance, too.
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| Still working on The Master Bedroom and Living Room! |
Elle magically changed from a sad, needy baby to an adorable, laughing one. She rolls to her belly now, and would prefer to stay that way all day if only her little baby neck could hold her head up that long. Is it too soon to say I can't wait to do it all over again? Best to stick with the whole "every two years" thing.
