Summer reflection

So school is back in swing and I've finally stolen some time to sit and reflect on the past few months. 

Summer was a whirlwind!

It started with a trip to Copenhagen. We took an overnight cruise on what we found out later is known as a party boat (and boy, did it live up to its name ...think south Padre at spring break in a confined space). It was actually a picturesque trip down the fjord to Denmark. Copenhagen is a canal city filled with house boats, amazing old world architecture and bicyclers dominating the roads.

Shortly after, the boys and I headed back to the states for 3 weeks. Micah joined us for the second half. We had a blast spending time with family and friends. They boys swam all day and ran the cul de sac with their sorely missed friends. We also, of course, did lots of shopping and stocking up on clothes and shoes, taking full advantage of "cheap" American prices. That, and my apocalyptic supply of US toiletries we brought initally was dwindling (seriously, I refuse to change my Secret
deodorant for a foreign brand at this point in my life).

From Houston, we headed back (with Hidden Valley Ranch packets stuffed in every crevice in the suitcases) to Norway via Amsterdam where we spent a week. What an exciting city! We love people watching and there is possibly no better place in the world to enjoy our pastime. Micah and I spent our jet lagged evenings watching all kinds of antics from our canal hotel balcony. We visited museums, rode down canals, ate amazing food. Unfortunately, we ended our last day with a mishap at the hotel breakfast when Barrett was burned with a pot of hot tea. It wasn't the best part of our
travels but thankfully he is fully recovered.

Finally, the week before school started we drove to Sweden where we spent a long weekend camping on the Baltic Sea coast. We had beautiful weather and enjoyed some amazing scenery and seal watching  as we explored the Koster Islands,  a Swedish national park.

Whew!

It was a busy eight weeks but filled with family days of laughing (and whining),  lots of logged airplane hours, and great memories. There were moments of happiness watching the boys pick up

right where they left off with their friends, moments of fatigue as I navigated the 14 hour trip to Houston with the 3 of them by myself,  moments of  fear in the back of an ambulance in a foreign
country after Barrett was hurt, and moments of awe taking in amazing Van Gogh works of art. It was awesome and exhausting and comforting all at the same time.

And now...

I'm glad to be back settled in Norway. I surprised myself.

I tried to prepare myself emotionally to go home. Micah and I actually talked a lot about how we would all handle "leaving again". I anticipated the same feelings of apprehension, sadness, frustration. But they never came. I never felt the bad stuff.

Don't misunderstand, I definitely was thrilled to be back in Texas. 

There was a day spent with my closest friends at the spa giggling and relaxing. There was a weekend with my oldest and dearest friend in Austin catching up on snuggle time with my god daughter. There was church time of completely losing myself in God. There was Mexican food.  It was pretty awesome. I enjoyed every minute. 

But I didn't countdown the days as I am known to do. I didn't wallow while packing. I didn't dread the drive to the airport. I waited, bracing myself for the flood of sadness. Instead all I felt was comfort - it felt like we were going home. In fact, Owen kept laughing telling us "we are leaving home to go

home!" Exactly!

Dare I say, this place is growing on me?

I hadn't realized how much I have changed until I was back in my old environment. It was little

things-conversations with people, trips to the grocery store, tv-it felt kind of foreign at times. It's all the same, but my perspective, my priorities are different.

 The thing is, I figured out that I am happy with my simple, beautiful life. There is such peace for me in not rushing, in not being a slave to my phone for work, in our family time. Gone are the feelings of guilt and worry and stress. I almost don't know what to do without them. 

This past weekend we celebrated Owen's birthday. At one point, as I was surrounded by a houseful of families we call friends here that I love, it hit me. I really like it in Norway. I really like our experiences and eye opening adventures and cozy family. I've made some true friends and I missed them over the summer. 

It really feels like home.  

I am content. 

It took me by surprise. I tried hard to dig in my heels and pull myself under. I got weighed down by the uphill climb and kept back at the starting line.  

Now, I can't say if I'm at the top. I have no idea where I am actually. I don't know where God is taking me. 

But I'm happy and  I am enjoying the view from where I am.