So we're living in Germany...: May 2012

So I am trying to process our new information – we are moving home!

I knew the day was coming, we were never going to live in Germany forever, but it came faster then I expected and my reaction was also not what I expected. I’m sad. I am happy about the important stuff like being back with family and friends, but I’m sad about so many things.

Four years have gone by! FOUR! Some days dragged on forever, but I feel like it wasn’t that long ago when we arrived. I remember thinking when we agreed to come, “Wow! Ali will be 9 years old when we leave. I can’t picture her at 9! And Landon will be 5 ready to start kindergarten.” And here it is. They are 9 and 5. When did I blink?

I’m sad because I really only just got the hang of it; living here that is. I got the schools, the doctors, the dance class. I know where to go to get what we need. I’ve become an expert taxi-mom. You should see me parallel park! I want to relax a little after all of my training.

I’m sad because I love the lifestyle. We spend so much time outdoors! It might rain a lot and summer never really comes, but we are outside anyway. Hiking, skating, biking, skiing…the list goes on. And the kids are outside a lot, even at school! And then there are the vacations! Europeans love vacations!! They understand vacations and no one makes you feel guilty at work about taking a vacation. They encourage you to have a great time and not to worry. They won’t do your work or anything for you, but they will make sure the pile is nice and neat when you return. And you can be guilt free for 3 to 4 weeks at a time!! They get on average 6 weeks of vacation a year and often take at least 2 weeks at a time. Some even get an extra month’s salary to pay for said vacations! (that we didn’t get L)

I am sad because I will miss driving 100+ miles per hour on the Autobahn. I will miss seeing the A1 finally finished. I will miss the fields of yellow rapes and the piles of sugar beets on the side of the road. I will miss spargel and strawberry season. I will miss walking out my door and through my garden to the fruit and veggie stand to buy fresh produce and amazing fresh eggs. I will miss hearing he horses neigh at the stable next door and of course the church bells across the street. I will miss walking to the playground, the butcher and the bakery. I will miss walking to restaurants and ice cream shops. I will miss hiking in the vineyards and skiing in the Alps. I will miss Paris in the spring and the Eifel in the fall. I will miss all of the traditions from St. Martin’s to Carnival. I will miss my friends and the friends of my children.

Life is changing. A chapter is coming to an end and new one is about to begin. I’m sure it will be amazing in it’s own way.