The hardest goodbye and re-discovery...

It has been several months since my last blog and looking back a lot has transpired. The kiddos and I came back to the States temporarily to deal with a few pressing issues and those issues turned into months. The decision became obvious, it was time to move back home.

This “decision” has been one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. The difference about moving to Indonesia, yes it was awfully hard, but we knew it was temporary and our goodbyes would one day become hellos again. Leaving Tembagapura (will most likely be) a goodbye forever and that is what hurts the deepest -- the faces that become your family, the ones you see every day, the ones you rely upon when shit gets crazy; those beautiful faces, I fear I may never see again. Oh god just saying that kills me. But after much discussion, tears, back and forth, pros and cons -- moving home was still the best decision for our family.   

It’s amazing how resilient my kiddos are. The things they have seen and been through accounts for an adult person’s life experiences and they are the better for it as evidenced by how well they have transitioned moving back. These last few months they have desperately missed their friends from Indonesia but they love to share their experiences with their new friends here.

There was one thing that was an issue -- Hannah and Mason were being bullied by three kids at their new school. They teased them by calling them “cultural weirdos”. It did bother them but we discussed that, that really wasn’t all that mean, it was more of a compliment (and jealousy). After the discussion one boy said it again to Hannah and all she said was “how is that going for you? Calling us cultural weirdos?” and they haven’t teased them since. (Oh the joys of childhood but so proud of my confident little Hannah)

Despite Hannah and Mason’s resilience, it has been a trying couple of months especially since Mike had stayed back in Indonesia. (I take my hat off to the single moms out there – you really are Super Moms!!) Since coming home there have been situations that have occurred that have proved how blessed I am to have the amazing family I have, especially my parents, who would and have done so much for us. Thanks mom and dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our little unit of three have had fun new adventures back in Colorado like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, gymnastics, camping, camp fires with s’mores, running in the luscious green grass, playing in the crunchy fallen leaves, slumber parties with cousins, moving into a new house, getting a new job but our little unit was incomplete – we needed our daddy.

After days of raging fires that kept Mike stranded in an angry, crowded airport he finally landed last night!! YESSSS!!!!!!!!! I was so excited to see his gorgeous face!! But as I was waiting in the airport, the reality of no longer living in the magical jungle of Tembagapura in Papua, Indonesia really hit me hard. And I wondered, will I ever feel special again? What will we do now?

It wasn’t until this morning at the kitchen table where we were all back together giggling and laughing that I realized, my family is what makes me special and this is just the official turning-of-a-page from one really great chapter to a new one in our Gines Family Adventure. It’s now time for a re-discovery!

A re-discovery of beautiful Colorado, beautiful America, my beautiful family and a re-discovery of me!

This isn't the end just a new beginning... and as always, to be continued!!......