As a planner, I have often had the predicament of being so
eager about the next phase in life that I fail to fully appreciate the current
chapter I’m in. Right now I can feel myself doing the same thing. We have 2 ½
weeks left on our European adventure and I can feel myself getting excited and
ready to go home. I’m thrilled to
be in a place where I understand all the conversations around me. I’m already planning out the first meals and
desserts I will have when I get back to the states (Southern BBQ, Mexican,
cookies with milk and brownies).
I’m also thrilled to get back to my life, my friends, my family, my
responsibilities at home and my sweet dog.
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| My sweet dog, Evey. |
But this is ridiculous! I’m still in Europe, I’m still
living this adventure and I need to make it count! Yes, it is uncomfortable
living away from home; yes, it is annoying showering sitting down for 2 ½
months, and yes, it is interesting living with a mini fridge and no freezer…
but that is what makes this trip so great! Adventures are not supposed to be
cushy, they are not easy, but the memories are worth the discomfort and make
the best stories.
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| Luke does a good job at enjoying the discomforts. No dryer just means more forts. |
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| Luke enjoys his down time |
Mike and I will laugh about those hot days where I had to
carry the stroller, grocery bags and the diaper bag up the 3 flights of stairs
while nagging Luke to stop lagging behind and trying to open the neighbors
doors. We will joke about that Barcelona trip that cost us a phone and a camera
and where Luke threw up all over the back seat. We will laugh about being
yelled at in French by bus drivers again and again for not realizing in France
you must enter in the front door, but Switzerland you can enter in the back. I
will look back at my strength to single handedly haul a busy toddler through
museums, shops and historical sites while navigating stairs and
incomprehensible conversations.
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| Luke is learning to read the French newspapers |
This experience has been hard no doubt, but I have learned
so much about myself. I have learned I can laugh when our hot water stops
working and I have to take a sponge bath out of a bowl. I can maintain my
sanity when my son learns to climb out of his pack and play and his bedtime
routine expands from 10 minutes to 2 hours and now requires Mike or me to hold
his door closed until he gives up and falls asleep. I can cope with loneliness
when my husband is working all day long, all of my friends are thousands of
miles away and those around me speak little English. I can be productive with
my time at home by learning to read in French, studying a French history book,
running, listening to books on tape, finding new local recipes and extensive
reading.
I am so grateful for this journey. I am excited to go home
in a few weeks, but I am determined to appreciate every remaining moment I have
here… even the difficult and frustrating moments.
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| My little family enjoying our adventure at the Bern LDS temple |
