we have now been back a little over 1 week here in Asia, and it has been quite the adventure! we made it through the airport with 6 carry ons, a car seat, and a stroller (just in case you were wondering, that was not the best idea!), drove home in a blizzard in the middle of the night (yes, i'm serious), and definitely felt like collapsing once we arrived at our apartment around 3:30 a.m. Eliana did awesome on the long flight. she slept a little, ate lots of treats, watched more movies than she is normally allowed, drew a few pictures, and walked up and down the plane several times. she is adjusting fairly well to the change in location. we haven't made it out a ton yet (partially due to two snow storms!). when we have gone out though, she has definitely been more on the emotional side of things and is much more prone to meltdowns than she normally is. so, we are taking our time, spending lots of quality time at home getting ourselves used to the time difference and the "new" house. we've also had a lot of unpacking and cleaning to do around the house, so we have definitley not been sitting around twiddling our thumbs! we've just about got it all put up, and i have high hopes that we will finish it all up today. i'm even hoping to get in the kitchen and make a simple meal tonight (elly bean has not been a super fan of the local food so far! ahh!).
so, thank you all for your thoughts toward us in this big adjustment. please keep them coming!! we have a little over three months before we leave for the delivery of #2, so there are many changes and lots of things coming our way in a short time! here are some fun facts to give you an idea of what this week has looked like for us.
* i started doing some laundry yesterday and still haven't finished! i was quickly reminded of why i do laundry here every day! (because my machine is so small and doesn't dry things completely leaving the need to hang them up still after they've been dried)
* getting used to not drinking the water out of the tap again. it's hard to beleive that was so second nature to us before our time in America and that we got sooo used to it while in America.
* started to boil lots of water this morning to wash my strawberries in.
* Vip already hosted his new boss for the new business we are beginning last Friday and Saturday....we hadn't even been here a full week yet and he was already going back and forth from the big city (in a snow storm no less!)
* gotten together with several friends (this was mostly Vip since we have been more homebound, but we have gotten out some)
* getting used to taking our shoes off at the door again and reminded of the great need for it as we look at the filthy plastic mat in front of our door!
* been missing daddy lots as we get used to him being a lot busier and away from home than he was the last 7 months in america, but enjoying the time he is home lots!
* been very thankful for coming back to a place we know instead of landing in a completely new place. what a difference!
*been very thankful for friends.
*been very thankful that we speak the language. vip got our internet up, phones started, and bills all paid within the first 2 days. that definitely did not happen last time!
* I've personally been very thankful for my sweet and serving husband who has done so much to get us settled and provide me with as much help and opportunity to rest as this preggo mommy has needed. he even snuck in a beautiful pearl ring in our luggage to give me on my birthday. i know that we could not do it without him!
so, there we are. i hope to get my camera back out and get back into the swing of taking pictures this next week or two. will post them as regularly as i can!
we love, miss, and are thankful for you all!!
