travel

Home is where the heart is.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

How cliche does that sound? I had heard this saying countless of times before. I had seen it cross stitched on pillows and on anything else you could possibly cross stitch. And it's not like I thought it was false. I just didn't know how very true the saying was until these last few months. 

Before J was born, even before S was born, we knew there would come a time that we'd need to leave our home in Virginia for a bit for C to do his research for his dissertation. What we had originally thought would be a six month trip for our small family will have stretched to nine and a half months by the time we go home next week. 

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. Thank you to those who have shared their food and home with us. Thank you for sharing your toys with my babies when their own familiar possessions were thousands of miles away. Thank you for reaching out and being our friends. Thank you, friends and family, for helping with one of my children when the other needed my attention. I can't thank you enough for that. Thank you all for keeping me sane and not judging me when I was at my wit's end. Thank you to all the new friends we have made and to old ones we have become even closer to. You have made what could have been a lonely trip not so lonely. I will never ever forget that. 

C- Love, thank you for doing what you do. I will follow you wherever you go. I can't wait to see the rest of everywhere with you.

S- Baby, thank you for learning to adapt. We took you away from all the things you were used to and comfortable with. You have had your hard times along the way, but, you have adapted beautifully. You are amazing.

J- There was one night where I felt so sad and guilty and that all you've ever known in your short life is going from one place to the next. You have had the very best attitude the entire time. If you could talk, I'm sure you'd say, "Okay, guys. Where to next?" Thank you for being you.

I can't believe it is almost over. I can't believe we actually did it. There have been times where I've seriously questioned, "Why on earth are we here?" But, as I look back at all our experiences I will remember all of them fondly. Would I do it all over again? Yes. In a heartbeat. And I hope we do. 

And now, things I've learned along the way: Buses-no. Trains-yes. Snacks- always. Sippy cup- never leave home without it. It's okay to depend on the kindness of strangers. Take every opportunity to see something new. Flats are your friend. Look around. 

Lastly, what's the most important thing I've learned? Whether it has been Stanley Drive, VA, Wyndham Lane, TX, North End Road, London, Ox Bow Lane, NJ, or any of the other places we've been along the way, home is where my family is. 

Take that cliche.

**On completely different note, I was in the car the other day and realized I have been pregnant and or nursing since December of 2010. Yeah. How bout that. 

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