It's been my 'montra' for awhile. Whether I am lugging 10 grocery bags into our home (to avoid the additional time consuming trip) or slinging Drew's seat in my arm while hoisting Shane up for one reason or the other.
Most recently skiing-gosh does that take strength, not just shushing down the mountain (thankful to not be sore the next morning due to some kick ass Body Pump) but getting there-boots dangling, skis on your shoulder often separating as an additional annoyance. How many times a day do you stop to think-I'm glad my body is strong enough to do this.... I think about it all the time.
Our ski slope in France was horribly designed in my opinion. Runs did not terminate at lifts forcing you to remove skis and snowboards quite often, the kid play area was questionable at best. You can ski there, but once you grab your kids you can either lug them and all their crap up a tow rope (they most likely don't have skis so u are carrying them, yikes right?). Or you can walk back up the hill with your skis, their stuff and most likely carrying them. Only to reach the gondola that will take you back down the mountain, from where you will walk back home (with all the above mentioned items). This task isn't horrible when you have a husband to help.
But what if your husband gets sick and the best option is to send him home solo? Well, that is what happened. Let's also add a snafu with the French credit card machine at the child care center only adding to the French experience. Maybe we should mention that our catered chalet's day off is today which equates to NO dinner for your kids (or u!).
When our family returned from a quick day trip to Chamonix did we find a frazzled Eleanor? Nope, kids were eating (oranges, crackers and yogurt) and her only request was we watch them while she grabs a pizza. She even offered to watch our munchkins while we head out for our pre planned dinner reservations (that they were supposed to be part of!)
One of the things I have loved about the women and families that have entered our lives while living out here is how strong they are. Whether it's the physical strength to get through daily life, emotional strength to persevere separation from family or husband deployments, or the ability to look passed the logistics of an international move to enjoy life in another country.
I thank all the folks that made the effort to visit us here. As we all know traveling is expensive and difficult to plan, but the memories tend to outweigh all that! We are thankful that our family has constantly supported us through their travels and visiting us as often as possible never balking at the long flights or expensive tickets.
We loved the ability to travel through europe as well as some memorable international flights. We have been truly blessed to have made some incredible memories and friends to fill our heart.
And as we leap into the moving process, I will stay positive and keep trying to tell myself that I am thankful to be strong enough to carry these boxes, 50lb pound suitcases, kids, car seats, as well as coordinate for our lives to relocate in the USA finding a house, new friends, routines etc. We are leaving one safety net and will hopefully be caught in another one.
As I re-read this blog I had no idea what our family was about to face upon our return. On Monday we phoned the moving company to confirm the time for Wednesday morning..... The conversation felt uncertain and on Tuesday afternoon that uncertainty was confirmed. The company had made a mistake (although they wont admit to it yet) and wanted to move our date to 17-18 january (rather difficult with a family of 5 on an international timeline).
I was shocked at the ease the rep made shifting our timeline sound. We spent Wednesday morning without movers trying to figure out the best course of action. Do we stay back, do we fly, can chris fly back? So many scenarios and none the perfect fit. I'm not sure if there is a perfect fit for this situation.
As it stands the company nominated a rep within the crew (he basically got a new job title, don't lose our stuff...) and we are taking the leap of faith that it all arrives-cars, belongings, photos, not to mention a time consuming transfer with a not so pleased landlord (although, her displeasure is something we endured for 3 years, we were ready ton pass the buck on this one-just not the security deposit, but verdict is yet to come).
The icing on the cake was Wednesday as the kids were loaded up for a last minute errand to the legal office (Chris and I finally got a living will at the recommendation of many friends) we walked out the door, hands full of everything but the keys. The door shuts and locks. The coveted spare key had was missing and we were officially locked out. This has happened a few times, but either Chris was at work with keys, the windows were cracked open for summer time air.... We both stood there without an option. Chris scoured the home. The only possibility, the wine cellar-the home of a huge spider and thankfully just a grate coving the entry, He removed the grate and shimmied down through the opening, not comfortable, not easy, but we were back in and on the away to the law office,
Now I sit here in a frankfurt hotel with our 3 boys sleeping emotionally drained from the passed few days i am adding a thought to the montra - Not only do you have to be strong in life, but you have to know there is strength training involved. We are enduring the 'mountain workout'. Tomorrow, we will be 'sore' from this workout, but we will also be stronger as a family.
No comments:
Post a Comment