"It's an adjustment period" is what I tell people when they ask how it is to be on the other side of our 3.5 year journey to be together in the United States. While I am anxious to get past this time of "adjusting", I understand that it is necessary. I am grateful for this long-awaited outcome.
"Blessed" describes perfectly how we are feeling as big decisions have fallen right into place in the month of September. Pieter was offered the interim position as Program Director at Brethren Woods and is thoroughly enjoying all of the projects and responsibilities that come with that role. I am beyond relieved that he was able to return to Brethren Woods to fulfill his role there after having to resign so abruptly back in 2015. God works in mysterious ways for sure!
All in that same week we were offered a great deal on a vehicle for Pieter and he also passed his Virginia drivers license written and road test on the first try! Yay!
I am now officially back in school to get my Medical Assistant Certification and I am super pumped to develop all of these new skills! Yesterday, I purchased my first stethoscope and blood pressure cuff to use during labs. I am also juggling 38-40 hour work weeks and am genuinely curious how people do all of this (and more) with kids and other obligations and ever have any time for themselves!
Although this transition was inevitability necessary, I sometimes miss my adventurous and back and forth lifestyle. (Never thought I would say that!) There is hardly a day that goes by that I do not recognize how fortunate I was to be able to spend such valuable time with Pieter's family and in his hometown. I understand the way he thinks and does things so much better now that I have experienced firsthand how different his country and his culture is from mine.
We are able to incorporate small elements of Dutch culture in our life here and hope to do so more during holidays and as our family grows. Some of the little reminders we have placed around our apartment are pictured below. They help to keep our family that is so far away, seem a little bit closer.
I am currently rationing the block of delicious Dutch cheese Pieter brought with him here, as it costs $12.99 for a tiny block of Dutch cheese at the grocery store.
We are simply taking it a day at a time for now. Every day I am thankful to come home to my husband laying on the couch reading a book_ laundry washed, dried, and folded; dishwasher emptied; and dinner on the stove. He is an incredible man and a gift to me. While I do miss that crazy time in my life just a little bit, I am curious to see how a settled, more consistent schedule, changes the way I live, think, and plan.
We are simply taking it a day at a time for now. Every day I am thankful to come home to my husband laying on the couch reading a book_ laundry washed, dried, and folded; dishwasher emptied; and dinner on the stove. He is an incredible man and a gift to me. While I do miss that crazy time in my life just a little bit, I am curious to see how a settled, more consistent schedule, changes the way I live, think, and plan.
.jpg)
