The story of our adventure

A friend of mine pointed out that I didn't really share on here why we decided to pack up and move across the world, so I thought I'd do that.

This last year, it became apparent that we needed a change. One of Roger's new coworkers was a career international teacher and on their lunch break they would chat about all his adventures. He told Roger a few places he could look for an international job. I wasn't thinking quite that big of a change, but thought it couldn't hurt to dream a little. Those jobs sounded pretty exotic and attractive in the middle of a Quincy winter.

When we had first gotten married, Roger had applied for a job with the Department of Defense, thinking it would be neat to travel around the world teaching. Back then, he was a social studies teacher and those weren't really in demand. Anywhere. Got a job in Quincy, been here ever since. But that international job thing has always been in the back of our minds.

Now Roger is mid-level math and science endorsed, has his mid-level science teaching National Boards and his Master's degree in science teaching- should graduate in August. He is a lot hotter of a commodity than one of those dime a dozen history teachers he used to be.

He started looking around and felt drawn to a specific school in Bahrain. He told me he felt like he had when he saw the job posting for Quincy. That he just knew that was the spot.

When he first told me, my reaction was "Where? Why? Are you sure?" because the Arab Spring protests were happening then. But I know Roger has a great track record when it comes to inspiration, like moving to Quincy and buying our house. So I decided to be a good wife and get on board. I prayed about it, helped him proof his resume and he applied for the open middle school science job.

And then months went by and nothing happened. He was offered a job at another international school in Morocco, but turned it down. Then he got a phone call to set up an interview. The next day he interviewed. The day after that they offered him the job. He accepted and told me to get ready to move across the world.

Since then, it has been a whirlwind, but everything has fallen right into place. I know that this is meant to happen for our family. Otherwise I would be a big ball of panic! Even when things are at their craziest, when I stop to think about what we are actually going to do, there is a peaceful "it will all work out" feeling deep inside. A tender mercy. Because while I like to think I am pretty brave and adventurous, there is no way I am this brave and adventurous on my own!

settling in

Best part of living in my parents basement? Eating my fill of fresh raspberries from their garden. Worst part? Four of us sleeping in one room. Well, Edward is actually in a large closet, but you get the idea. We are trying to fix Evelyn up with a little space of her own, but she is scared of the basement and moving has made her a little anxious so she wants to sleep right by us.

It is fun to be back in Portland. I feel like a hick from the sticks when I go to the mall and wonder at all the people and stuff you can buy. I had a close call at the Disney Store the other day. "Cars" is one of Edwards very favorite words, and as my dad said, "He isn't saying 'cars', he is saying 'Cars- Disney copyright'!" He had somehow got his hand inside a sealed clamshell plastic package and was trying to remove a car, when Roger came upon me trying to wrestle him back into the stroller. Know what I don't get? Mall punks. Malls aren't very punk rock. I totally get Cinnabon- but have not yet given in.

I love Powells- it is a bookstore they have here. They call it a City of Books. You can buy new and used- which is nice. I got a few plane paperbacks. I love the smell of books.

I am even appreciating the cold yucky summer rain, because I won't have it in Bahrain. I am also trying to soak in as much green as I can. And reveling in my socks and sweaters in July. Won't get to wear those again soon. And I love sweaters!

Whew!

I've decided that moving, even at its best, is terrible. It always comes down to frantic last minute throwing stuff in boxes or the garbage not matter how carefully you plan and prepare. How did we get so much stuff? Why did I keep all this? I felt like we had sold, given away and thrown away a ton. And we have! But we still filled that truck to the brim. You like your stuff a lot less after you have to carry it all piece by piece out of the house.

Roger said, "Just think, we'll have to move this all back in a year or two." I just glared and said, "It better be longer than that for all this trouble!"

Thanks to all our friends and family for your help- watching kids, lending your muscle, feeding us. We really, really appreciate it! Couldn't have done it without you and wishing you your own good moving karma should you ever need it!

Goodbyes

It is so hard to say goodbye to everyone here in Quincy. We have loved living here because we have felt so loved. So many warm and welcoming people. They are like family. Every time I see someone now I wonder if it is the last time. I will really miss everyone here. I wish I could let them each know how much they have meant to me in a letter, "You were like a mom to me when my own mom wasn't here," "Thank you for teaching me about selfless service through your great example," "I admire how hard you work," "You are a friend without guile," Thanks for the encouragement," "You were a great neighbor- thanks for the Christmas cookies," but I don't know how to express it all and there would be just too many people to give cards to and I'm sure I would miss someone. I have a hard time saying goodbye and I am so awkward at it (I feel like I'm 16!). I can see why Roger said he would sometimes rather sneak out of town- so no one can see our tears!

I know we were meant to come to Quincy. It has given our family a lot of great opportunities and wonderful examples and that we have really grown because of it. Our 10 years here have shaped us into who we are now. I hope living around all the great people here has rubbed off a little!

I will miss you Quincy. Thank you and lots and lots of love.

the dregs

Puzzle pieces, screws, pieces of broken toys, thumbtacks, broken crayons, missing buttons, the part to that game you already boxed, the ends of Otter Pop wrappers, marbles, one earring, pen caps, pennies, broken sidewalk chalk, Polly Pocket shoes, a receipt, a sock, brads, a different sock, old binkies, gum wrappers, tissues that went through the wash and are now a linty ball, pony beads, paperclips, toothpicks, pony tail holders, Band Aid wrappers, expired coupons, dusty cough drops, mysterious keys, rubber bands, golf pencils, staple refills, a bouncy ball, a scrap of paper with a phone number, bobby pins, BBs for a BB gun, candy wrappers...

I am down to the dregs. They are in couch cushions, closets, junk drawers, under beds and dressers, the car, by the washing machine in the garage. Everywhere. And they are the kinds of things that take forever to find, sort and deal with. More moving fun!

Clothes?

I've been looking at my clothes coming to the sad realization that while I have plenty to fill my closet, I don't really like most of them. Not enough to schlep them halfway around the world.

This is a chance to reinvent myself, so why hold on to shirts I've had since college or those two pairs of jeans I bought at Old Navy? (With kids in tow, never tried on and never fit right but was too cheap to get rid of.) But what to take?

I love this post on Small Notebook that talks about having a small wardrobe- fewer clothes but better clothes. The point that really resonated with me is that casual clothes are often too casual and not cute. So true. I just don't feel as good about myself in my t-shirt, casual capris and flips and I do in a more fitted tee, nicer capris, and nicer sandals with jewelry.

She also has a "Rule of Three" that states if you are wearing a top and bottom, you will always look more put together with a jacket or cardigan. This wasn't something I'd ever really heard, but makes total sense to me now.

In the heat, scarfs are the answer to three piece dressing. Here is a fun site of about different ways to wear or tie a scarf- which I plan on studying. Someone at my mom's church gave her a bunch of scarfs to give to me, figuring we'd need them to cover our heads. So I have scarves to work with.

I think jewelry can also work for the rule of three. A chunky pendant necklace or string of pearls serves the same function- makes the outfit look more complete. Hip 2 Save had a great post about this and about frugal fashion.

I was also inspired by this post on Redbook, (not a site I typically read or recommend- was sent to the post a different route!) , but it showed how if you have the basics everyone typically has in their closets, (black dress, black pants, khakis, blouse, button up shirt, strappy heels, dress, white tee, black pumps, jeans, cardigan, bright tee, and flat sandals), and just add a few more carefully chosen pieces, you can end up with over 50 outfits. I didn't like all of it, but it sure gave me some ideas about how I can make my own closet work smarter and harder.

I've already done the first two wardrobe purges, but this time I am going to be brutal. I am hoping once I get my closet really weeded down, like to one suitcase, of stuff I love and fits well, then I can reward myself by shopping for those few extra things I really do need. Like a new pair of sandals that aren't dollar flip flops.

Our new house!

Here are some pictures of what our house in Bahrain will look like that the school just sent over. I am getting excited! Less than two months now and we will be living there.