Thank Yous

So much appreciation....

When preparing to take your family, so they can stay intact, and move around the globe for almost
three months there are several people that make that decision easier.  There are several people we would like to thank for making this adventure less stressful...and possible from home.

My Mom - We did leave a family member in the U.S., our cat Scout.  And Scout has been staying with my mom and they have been getting along and keeping other company.

Charlie and Carole - You also have to have great neighbors to be able to just leave your home for so long.  Charlie and Carole have watched our house, walked through it to make sure nothing is leaking, etc, went over and checked things out with the storms that came through a couple times (apparently our grill blew over and needs some repair because of one of the storms) and told me it was no problem each time I ordered more online items so when we got home Grace would be ready for school.  When our trip was extended I got nervous about getting everything done and went on a little buying spree...and all of the packages were shipped to Charlie and Carol and are sitting inside our house waiting for us.  Grace is excited to see her new backpack and lunchbox!
Tabitha - Tabitha doesn't even live in Florence, but every couple weeks she has gone to the Florence Post Office and picked up our mail, gone through it and emailed about any of our bills that have come and a couple wedding invitations too!  In addition to her own mail, imagine the three month pile of junk mail she has gone through that belongs to us.

Lori - My friend Lori offered to buy all of Grace's school supplies for us so it's one less thing to do in the days we come home.  Yay!

People who have sent mail - My goodness.  There are several of you who have sent the girls mail.  We didn't really want mail in the beginning - knew it was more expensive to mail and didn't realize the value it would be for the girls, but people have spoiled them to the point that when Sarah walks off the elevator each day she says, "Mail?:"  The girls have enjoyed the cards, letters, artwork, stickers, etc. they have received.  It seems that many times the mail came on a rainy day when we needed a pick me up too!

All of you who have read our blog.  If you have read our blog, you have been with us on this journey.  Thank you for reading....for caring.  For those of you who have commented on the blog, emailed me or simply "liked" a post on Facebook.  I cannot explain how much of a large impact that has been to me, although you probably feel it was a small one on your part.  By doing any of those things - letting me know you were reading - it helped me feel connected to my life at home.  Connection to a community is so important whether you are living in it or on a journey away from the community you call yours.  Knowing you were next to me...to us... has been so truly meaningful.  So thank you for reading and thank you for letting me know that you were with us.

Why...

So, we thought we'd start out by a short explanation of why our family is spending the entire summer in Japan.  It's simple really 1) separation stinks and 2) the experience.  Many of you know that Jim's job requires travel...in spurts.  Last year, he was home for 7 straight months.  For the past three years, he's been gone at least 3 weeks in December (and other times too).  So, his travel was to lighten again, but a project came up that he became involved in...and it began to require he be in Japan for at least 8 weeks in the summer.  Now, it would have been 3 weeks gone, 1 home, etc..  That's alot of frequent flyer miles!  It's also alot of separation - felt by all four of us.

So, literally about a month ago Jim asked if I'd be willing.  I said maybe and he looked in to if it would be possible for all of us to go.  Next thing we know it all comes together and airfare was purchased to leave in 10 days.  Add that to end of the year events for MOPS, for the Kindergartner and the preschooler AND that Jim spent 6 of those 10 nights out of the USA...well it just proved why my hairdresser has been coming more and more frequently..and that being together is better.

So, here we are.  Our girls very first flight in their life...we put them on a plane for essentially 14 hours.  And, Osaka, Japan...here we are.  Jim is happy for a family to come home to each night.  The girls and I are happy that he comes home at night.  And, our family will have a summer to remember.  We hope you'll enjoy sharing it with us...