The gluttony and the lost freak...

It's been two weeks now since we've been "home" and have finally adjusted to the time difference. We are so ever-grateful to our family members that have taken us in but we are again like gypsies just like right before we left for Indonesia. The hardest part so far has been seeing our home lived in by another family (who are taking good care of it), our once-before possessions being used and owned by someone else, a dog that looked just like Honey and dealing with the feeling of bewilderment -- how quickly it all went yet how heavy it's presence lingers!? I think we are in search of familiarity and normalcy.

It's funny -- everything is the same but everything is different. Like the food we were looking forward to is not the same but that hasn't stopped us from total gluttony. I have let the kiddos eat pretty much anything whenever they want because in one month's time they won't get the chance. I must look like a lost freak in the grocery and liquor store with my face exuding sheer panic and excitement from all the choices and prices. Yes, some stuff is equally priced but my hair mousse is three times more expensive in Indonesia. It pisses me off a little bit -- how can it be that much more? And milk! Milk is $10 a gallon in our little secluded town and here it's close to $4!?!?!? Crazy!!! I feel like we live in a ridiculous monopoly bubble there! 

It's unfortunate how fast time has gone and Mike leaves in just two weeks. Thinking of him being so far away makes me sad and we haven't gotten to see all the people we had hoped to while he's here. We did however get to spend four days in beautiful downtown Denver alone for our anniversary and enjoyed every second. In a week we get to enjoy the gorgeous Colorado mountains in a large mountain home where we can freely hike, fish, bike and sleep under the stars. I am so, so, so looking forward to that as we are very restrained in the mine town we live in.

Living abroad has taught us all so much and I am so thankful and wouldn't have changed anything over the last year but the thing I have appreciated the most is where I have come from and who I am.

Can't wait for the mountain air and stars -- as always to be continued...

 

        

     

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL!...

After an exhausting 36 or something hours we finally arrived home! Seriously, America is truly the most beautiful place on earth. I have experienced a few places over the last year and I have never been more proud to call this place my home! I know that no place is perfect and each has it's share of corruption, injustice, brutality and disgrace but here I have a choice and a chance.

We only arrived less than 24 hours ago and after a beautiful day with family and we were spent (yet I am typing this it's 4:00 in the morning as I can't sleep). The tears where few at the airport and there where many smiles. I thought I would just breakdown at the airport due to relief and exhaustion but held it together until I told Hannah and Mason it was time for bed. Mason was thoroughly confused and the last straw was broken when I explained that we were not going home because someone else lives there and we were staying with Grandma and Papa. He was hysterical. I have never seen him so upset and blame a little bit on him being so tired but I took his littleness for granted. My heart was instantly broken and all I could do was hold him and sob with him. There it was, my breakdown. I would never change the last year for anything and maybe it's the exhaustion talking but reflecting on last night with Mason and how I described where we live to my family, I wonder if the life lesson for us all has been achieved?

Either way our immediate future holds the blessed opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, the freedom of speech, the 2nd Amendment and all the goodness of being an American encompasses!