When Life Gives You Lemons!

Hello all! I thought by now I would be telling funny stories of an overseas move gone wrong. It seems that life can change quickly, and we have found ourselves in a new situation. Due to Landon's kidney issues that were discovered in May, we will not be going to Moscow. The State Department decided that it was too risky to send us overseas without adequate care (even though the condition is not serious). This was something we had not expected, especially since we were to leave in about three weeks. The joke with all government jobs is that you are not really moving until you are on the plane, so I guess that saying is true. Well, after we got over the shock, we decided to pick ourselves up and make the best of what God has given us. I plan on staying home, and Scott will continue to work at his office until further notice. The stay in VA will only be temporary, as they will be sending us somewhere else very soon. It is amazing how your life can change in an instant. We just have to trust God and know that He is the director of our lives...not us! As it turns out, we had already sold our house. So we will be moving soon, but just to Herndon, VA, until we find out our new destination. I am very excited to be staying near friends for a little longer, and I look forward to the new adventures that are around the corner! The name of my blog might soon change, but I promise more interesting and funny stories.

Life Changes in Preparation for Moscow

I am not sure how many of you have gone (or maybe even lived) overseas. It is a process to get there and live there, and each country comes with its own challenges and differences. So, last week I found out the American Embassy in Moscow does regularly stock baby items. What?! As most of you know, I have a 5 month old, and this really threw me for a loop. With that being said, I have now decided that I will continue to make my own baby food, mail myself other baby products and start using cloth diapers. Yes, I said cloth diapers! I heard the stories about these diapers from my mom. When Ethan was first born, I considered using them for a short while. Later I decided that I would not, because Ethan was going to be with a baby sitter every day of the week. As I began to research cloth diapers, I was surprised to see that the cloth diaper industry has really come a long way. I am now excited to receive my first shipment this week. Now I wish I had used them (or atleast tried them) from the beginning!

As for other preparations, I have started making my lists (and checking them twice). There are lists of things to buy and mail, there are lists of what needs to go in the air freight, and there are lists of what I MUST take with us on the flight. It can be overwhelming! My only fear is that I will forget to air freight or bring with us the items we really need right away. I have even woken up in the middle of the night and added items to my list. By the end of this process, I will be a crazy list-maker with a sticky note addiction. Hopefully, my lists work out for me and we have a pleasant first few months in Moscow.

At this point I am a little stressed and overwhelmed! I cannot believe that months ago I thought our stuff would go on a ship, arrive at our house in Moscow, and we would be done. It seemed like it would be easy. Wow...does it require more than that to move overseas! Well, this is a LEARNING PROCESS for me. I'll let you all know how I do when we get there (and our shipment arrives months later).

Preparing for the Move

Preparing for the move to Moscow has been a little crazy! We have a baby, 5 months old (who is still not fully sleeping through the night), a toddler who will soon turn 3, our house is for sale (with the purchase of new house if all goes well), I just quit my job, and I have a trip to plan to drop off dogs and visit family and friends before we leave DC for 2 years. Life is not very normal right now, but amidst the chaos, I am so excited to move and travel abroad. It is not something that I ever thought I would do, but I am so excited I cannot stand it! I know it will be crazy, I don't even speak Russian, but I am always up for change. My kids are so lucky to be able to experience the culture in a country as old and historically rich as Russia. All I can say when I think about it is...WOW!

At this point nothing too crazy has happened, but I have heard some pretty interesting stories about people moving overseas. So I am going to hope for the best and expect the worst. It is a bit overwhelming thinking about all the things you need to travel with two small children in hotels and on planes as we move, so I am just worrying about things one day at a time. Most of our stuff will go into storage (and that has to be labeled), and the rest of it will go to Moscow with us (only the most necessary things).

As for what I think will happen when we get there, well it just makes me chuckle! I can picture myself standing in the market, and I cannot communicate with anyone. I saw an ad for these books you take with you abroad. They have pictures of common things (food, drinks, restroom, etc.), so all I would have to do is point to what I need. That is until my 3 year old speaks the language better than I can.

Well, here's hoping for a smooth, non fit-pitching airplane ride (for nine hours) to Moscow! I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on our adventures.