I can’t believe it’s been 4 weeks since I last wrote a post! I knew I’d be busy with family and friends, enjoying everything I’d missed this last year about life back home, but it’s been eye opening to realize that I’ve hardly had a free moment for myself now that I’m pretty much on my own with The Gents. And when I do have a moment, I do yoga...and I may have gotten my nails done a couple times! As I have said before, everyone’s definition of self-care changes with life events. :) Next up is finding more time for writing, and then drawing. I really hope it will come, but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. I’m just enjoying our time here, appreciating each day, and reflecting.
During this time a number of my beliefs have been reinforced:
– America, even with its current short-comings, is still the greatest country in the world
– Adjustments are hard, but life changes are ever harder – exponentially so for toddlers
– Stay at home Mamas, with NO help, have such a tough job
I’ve mentioned this before in reference to my time living in London and since we’ve been in Riyadh, but the United States really IS awesome. Anyone who lives here and doesn’t recognize how precious our freedoms are, despite the many frustrations of our government, needs to spend an extended period of time outside of this country.
This may sound overly simplified and superficial, but – with its fresh air, parks, grocery stores, farmers markets, malls, ease of driving, restaurants, being able to go to church, not having to worry about being confronted by religious police for not being “properly” covered, etc. – living in the U.S. is SO much easier! I hope you all appreciate what you have and are thankful everyday being here.
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I didn’t really think about how each of these four phases of this trip – Chicago, Michigan (at my brother’s), Ann Arbor pre-delivery, and Ann Arbor post-delivery – might affect The Gents. Each of these phases is like a short-term move, and moves take time to time to settle-in and adjust to. It’s been tough on C&R.
As I’ve written before, they sense change is coming, but the last few weeks has been a lot to deal with. They’ve been in so many different environments, they’re constantly over-stimulated, their day-to-day routine is so different and now J is back in Riyadh. It’s been idyllic though, constantly around family and playing outside whenever they want. In these few weeks they’ve grown so much, especially in their communication, and I’m really proud of them.
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That being said, they’re pushing their boundaries since we’ve arrived Stateside. This is the most challenging time I’ve ever experienced with them, especially now that J is back in Riyadh. I truly feel like a stay at home mother now that we’re completely on our own during the day. I appreciate help so much more now! My patience is being tested constantly though. I just hope I can be the best Mama for them…and that they don’t put me into an early labor! Stay tuned… xo