Me: "There are two teams, one is where we were this year and the other is up north between Paris and Belgium."
Grandma: "oh wow, so which do you prefer? You probably want to stay in the same city."
Me: "Well, I don't know, I love the adventure of it all!"
Grandma laughs: "oh well, I am going to stop feeling sorry for you then!"
Yes Grandma, you can stop feeling sorry for me. I love our life. Yes, there are parts that are just plain hard. But most of it is great. And that is what I choose to focus on. Here are my top reasons I love our crazy life.
1.) There is so much to see!! I want to travel the world and living in France puts a lot of it at our fingertips.
2.) I have always wanted to learn another language. I can now say, after this last year, I am conversational in French. Whooo hooo! (not fluent, conversational. There is a difference)
3.) My kids are able to see so many other cultures. I really think it widens their world view.
4.) My kids will be bilingual. 'Nuf said.
5.) It really bonds our family. Because when we are out there, it is just us. No help, no grandparents, we just gotta make it work. (yes sometimes this falls into the bummer category, but it makes us stronger!)
6.) I love adventure. I love new things. I love different. I love that we don't fit into any molds. This is just part of us 'not fitting.'
7.) Americans are so narrow minded! Don't get me wrong, I love America. I want to be here when we are done. But so many people have never left the country and cannot understand that something in a different culture might be good if not better sometimes. Imagine that!
So there ya go. If you read my blog and were thinking 'I am so sorry for her, she leads such a crazy life!' Don't! I love my life! As it is not always easy, I choose to appreciate and enjoy the parts that are wonderful. Because someday when we have a house and live in the same spot for years and years and only speak English, I will enjoy that, then. But for now, this is where I need to be.
14 comments:
I love your life too! LOL! It looks so fun.
One day we'll travel to Israel....if we can EVER afford airfare for 6 people. We've got the lodging taken care of :)
www.iheartmygluegun.com
I don't feel sorry for you at all, I think it's awesome! Husband and I plan to move away to Europe for a while. Right now it's just a distant dream... But I'd love to live that experience and have my (future) children see and live different cultures. I think you're so lucky and brave! It's definitely not easy to live away from your homeland!
xoxo, Ana
My (Newly)Wed Life
We lived one year in England, away from any relatives, and I have to agree, it makes us stronger. And you know what, the thing I wish the most is to have that opportunity again!
Live your love, love your life!
Kiss
When I saw this post title, I just knew it had to be yours. You have said it all so well. I also love Isa's quote ~ live your life, love your life. That's a lesson for all of us.
From a fairly "open minded girl"...who lives in an area that doesn't embrace "different" all that well...I think you guys are doing great! Just because something is "different" doesn't mean its bad! You are totally right it's good for you and your husband to rely on each other. It's going to show your kids great coping skills! They are so lucky to have this experience.
Great post! This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime type thing; your children will be so glad they had it.
Great list post!
Great. Now I'm even more jealous of your amazing life.
♥
I lived in Lille all last year and know EXACTLY what you mean! So much of this makes perfect sense...although I will say I think I would've liked it better if I'd had a hubby and kiddies to go through the adventure with me. Being alone made it really difficult, the French can be hard to get to know :/
I'm. So. Jealous.
I think it is so awesome that you live between three countries...most people are lucky just to visit one outside of the US!!!
I love living vicariously through you and your travels!!!
I laughed when I read what your grandma said! So funny! When I moved to NZ my grandpa said "what is it not good enough here for you?" so funny=) and you are very right when you say some Americans are very close minded, lots of Americans don't care about seeing the world or even anything that happens outside of America. It is weird to see the USA as an outsider, its a real eye opener!
Amen to it all! One thing I've learned in our mission training...just because a culture is different from ours doesn't make it wrong!
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Great post! I love all of those things about living in a foreign country too. It is hard at times, but so worth it!
I couldn't agree with you more on every single point you brought out! I'm currently living between two countries, but there are potential plans to tour the Americas and tour Europe in our future. It's so exciting and such an adventure :)
I'm not sorry for you! Well, not A LOT anyway. :)
I think it's awesome! :)
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