The joys of being a stay-at-home mom and my first farewell...

As we are quickly approaching our 6 month anniversary, I am still trying to manage the schedule, to-dos and lifestyle here. Ok the lifestyle, I think I have figured out and totally love. However, it's been a struggle to realize that I may have a few things here and there to do or places to go or people to see but a lot of stuff comes up last minute and the inconsistency is freaking me out a little (not complaining, of course). From being a total planner, knowing what to expect at all times, it's just not like that here and on the seat of my pants I must fly and enjoy the ride. I am creating my own schedule for school which is the priority during the day.
The joy in such opportunities include being a stay-at-home mom. I have been helping out at the kiddos school. I assist Mason's teacher from taking pictures, to cutting things out etc.- no matter what it is I get to do it and it's awesome! In Hannah's class I have been teaching them yoga every Thursday. This week they each got a letter of the alphabet and got to create their own yoga pose inspired by the letter. It's these moments and baking for the teacher's birthday or making treats for Halloween that are absolutely priceless.

The downside of living here is everyone will leave at some point. Yesterday, I experienced my first farewell(s) luncheon. My friend said "it's like going to a funeral. Everyone reminisces about you and there is a slide show of pictures of you..." etc.. She was so right and just like at funerals there were lots of tears. There are two women leaving (one who has been here 20 years and another 5 years), both were some of my biggest yoga supporters. They are truly loving and amazing women and I had a very special bond with them. While sitting there in tears with all the ladies, I began thinking about how sad I was to see these ladies leave and that I probably wont see them again but it was the thought of my poor kiddos going through this with their friends here and how they had to go through it before they left. I acknowledge it's part of the deal here but it's definitely not easy. One thing that seemed to be repeated was to enjoy how precious this place is and especially the women but don't have just one friend because some day they will leave too.     

As always, to be continued...

The sights and sounds of Christmas and an unexpected visitor...

This weekend was another blessing. Friday night we went to dinner with friends and we all came back to our house for a card game- a late night but a great time. Saturday was spent with Christmas music- playing Manheim Steamroller (a Herring tradition of Christmas music- it only took 3 days to download) and the kids and I putting up the tree and Christmas decorations. Our dear friend helped us and joined us for dinner and Christmas movies. It was a wonderful day. Mike even made home-made ice cream!
Today (Sunday) I began the task of cleaning up our maids' quarters in anticipation of a fulltime maid. We have decided that this is the direction we want to go, especially while I am immersed in school. I am excited to learn more of the Indonesian culture but nervous at the same time. I am sure everything will be just wonderful!
Speaking of Christmas, it's very hard to grasp what time of year it is and be in the spirit of the "Holiday Season". There aren't any leaves changing to gold, no cold air meeting your breath, no snow falling or the hustle-bustle of crazy shoppers. It's the same weather day after day, it's the same day after day like a time warp- until today. Today, we had a very unexpected visitor (the typing mom winks), SANTA! We suddenly heard music and Hannah and Mason's name over a PA outside. We all jumped up to find out what the commotion was and wouldn't you know it (another wink), here comes Santa, in a (motorized) chariot with elves, music and presents! It was awesome!!!!!! Poor Mason was napping and I pulled him out of his bed in deep slumber, he had no idea what the heck was going on. I actually started to get teary- it was so beautiful to see the group of smiles and excitement over sharing Christmas joy with Hannah and (grumpy) Mason. It was wonderful to feel the Christmas cheer- finally! After many pictures they went on their way back to the North Pole leaving the kiddos with their presents. Suddenly, little Hannah pipes up and says "mom, Santa has the same wrapping paper as us" UGH busted! Fear went through me and all I could say was "well it was very popular wrapping paper at the time I bought it.". Ah saved (this time). They opened their gifts and happiness filled our home.
Now, not to forget the up-and-coming Thanksgiving, the Americans plan to turkey-it-up all day on the 28th and dabble in many treats of home and comfort. I know we all have many thanks to give! We are all looking forward to the experience of Thanksgiving in the jungle in a different country. It's going to be interesting! More on that, for sure!

As always, to be continued...     

The unexpected sadness from presents and being of the minority...

Just one day after our amazing trip to Australia our sea freight arrived. It was just as everyone said it would be: CHRISTMAS! We were frantically tearing at the boxes to see what treasures awaited us after almost six months. There were a few items that were long lost treasures of desire and need; the rest was just the same ol’ stuff. It’s amazing how much you learn to live without and sad how much one family can own and take advantage of when there are children, not so far away, starving to death.

It was fun to start really making this home our home- our many pictures now hang on the, once bare, walls, the kids have their toys and me, my kitchen stuff. However, we did receive all of our dog’s stuffed animals. It was such a terrible feeling. Hannah and Mason were very upset. We all miss her so very much. The thing that hit me the hardest was the unexpected sadness of putting the kids’ books on our new bookshelf. The memories of them sitting on their beds, at our only home in Colorado, and us reading the same books to them there and placing those books of the bookshelf in Hannah’s old room. It was sad. A time in our lives that once was and will never be the same again. So tightly I hold onto those memories and embrace the new ones here.

We are still unpacking and it will take time but life here goes on and a swift pace. I was asked to participate in the International Day celebration and there I found myself amongst many, many Indonesian women and very few expatriates. They are all so very sweet but it’s hard being the minority. They speak Bahasa Indonesia very quickly and it’s overwhelming at times (sympathy for Mike comes to play). Despite cultural differences, we, yet again, came together, bonded and had a great time! The show was amazing! Another blessing!

As always, to be continued……