A Little Behind

A Little Behind...OK...A LOT Behind

The guilt cycle has come full circle.  I got behind...felt guilt.  I got even further behind, made excuses....felt guilt.  I am way beyond behind....guilt can't touch me now.  I hate I have had so many great experiences and I have not taken the time to share them with friends and family (not to mention, now even Ryan is making comments)...guilt full blown.  Today it is.  I have a sick little one (which means I might have a few minutes to complete a thought), the weather is a bit chilly, and the rain clouds are moving in.  It seems like the PERFECT day to catch up on all we have been doing since November.  (OUCH!)

We have taken trips, had family here to visit, school programs, Christmas, filmed for House Hunter's International, more trips and family visits, AND a 4th, 8th, & 11th Birthday.  So much has happened, but looking back at these memories has opened my mind to how much we have grown individually and as a family.  The girls LOVE having daddy be a part of their everyday life.  He does still have a little travel, and you can really see how much the girls miss him when he is gone.  Before our move, Ryan being gone was a part of our everyday "normal" life.  But now, the travel is less, but the impact is strong.  Rylee has grown not only taller, but very much more mature.  Often, I look at her and wonder where did my little girl go?  She has blossomed here.  Her teachers and friends have built her confidence and it is so wonderful to see her shine.  Gwen is growing as well.  She is still my "happy hippie." She has made wonderful friends (from every country OTHER than USA), and been a strong leader in her classroom.  Her gentle and loving spirit has really shone as she helps the students in her class who don't understand English.  She loves to help Chloe with EVERYTHING (even when Chloe would rather she not).  Chloe is still my small, but mighty.  I am pretty sure our entire school community has adopted her.  She has "friends" at school who welcome her as soon as she walks in the door.  They often take off with her and she loves every minute.  Ryan is greatly enjoying his time with the girls and taking every opportunity he can to be involved in their day to day life.  I love to see the look on his face when they talk with him or when he just watches them being kids.  It reminds me of when we first brought Rylee home from the hospital.  I watched him lay down on the floor next to her.  As he spoke to her, I fell stronger in love with a man I didn't know I could l possibly have that much love for.  It is crazy how our hearts continue to swell with the ability to love. I am doing great as well.   The day to day experiences are getting a little easier.  I have been able to quicken my 2 hour grocery shopping trips to about an 1 hour and half and I am not having as much trouble finding what I need.  Now, if I could just get them to be consistent about their stock and where they place things, I might be able to shave another 30 minutes off my trip. I have met some fabulous women who have made life here not only easier, but full of laughter.  They have become our new family and I thank God for them each and every day.  

In trying to figure out how best to update everyone without overwhelming you, I decided to go ahead and make a blog post on all the above in separate posts. Sorry I am so far behind, but life has been happening and I have been focusing on enjoying the moments.  Thank you once again for reading about our lives.  Enjoy our following stories.  I pray all is well with you.