Welcome Back to the USA

It has now been just over two and a half weeks since we arrived in the USA after four years in Paraguay, South America. And it is just now that I can begin writing again. Honestly, I haven't even had the desire to be near a computer but for only a few minutes here and there. Although I am not exactly sure why, I do know that now I am ready to start putting my thoughts on paper, so to speak, and share all the wonderful and not so wonderful things that have been going on since we set foot on American soil again.

Our departure from Paraguay started with a two hour delay in Asuncion thus making our entire itinerary change as we would miss our connecting flight in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Or so we thought. As we stood, sat and wrestled with many little ones, my attitude was less than optimistic. Thank you dear friends Vonni and Kelly S for your moral support, prayers and listening ears that day! Because they took so long issuing us entirely new tickets, they had to hold the plane for us as we were the last ones to board (8:oo PM). As soon as we boarded I got intensely ill. Never before have I felt so sick on a plane. I was so hungry yet when dinner came I could barely nibble a piece of bread and I didn't dare try to move as I felt so nauseous. Great start, right? Dan was told that our other tickets would be at some random desk once we landed in Brazil. Only by the grace of God did Dan find that random desk and once again, the plane was waiting for us and we were the last ones on. Sweet seats though. And, miraculously, I was beginning to feel better. And, they were serving dinner again. Go figure. Well, family had already been informed that we were missing our connecting flight and instead flying into Miami to Atlanta to JFK to Rochester putting our arrival at 5:30 PM instead of 10:30 AM. We had been so rushed onto that plane that we hadn't even looked at our tickets so when the announcements began and they said we would be arriving in JKF at so many hours, we were puzzled. Dan pulled out our tickets to double check and sure enough we had somehow gotten back onto our original itinerary!! As soon as we landed in JFK (New York City) we had to call family to let them know we were coming in as originally planned. 10:34 AM exactly we landed.

My sister Jessica made this collage of our arrival and lunch with family:

After we arrived (not surprisingly our luggage couldn't seem to keep up with us!) we all headed to Dan's brother Dave's house for lunch, us in a very nice 2005 van that Dan's parents purchased ahead of time for us so we could drive it straight from the airport (we will be able to make the payments on it). We had root beer, precut baby carrots, celery, Pontillo's Pizza (of course!) with spicy hot wings, and cupcakes and cookies. The kids were so excited to see their cousin Hudson again. Eli kept asking to go play in the snow so as soon as lunch was over he bundled up and had his first snowy adventure, complete with snow angels! He LOVES the snow. Toby not as much but he is much more daring when it comes to going down the steep hills on the sled with Daddy!

Our first week was pretty busy just trying to get our feet back under us and feel settled while celebrating Dan's birthday, unpacking suitcases, celebrating one of my best friend's birthdays, hanging with family and friends, going to church, etc. Our second week we spent at Dave & Hannah's watching our nephew Hudson and going sledding, having friends come over to play, lunch date, going to the museum, going to church, etc.

Highs? Seeing family and friends. Church. Feeling so welcomed and taken care of and appreciated. Museums, parks, lakes...so many things to do!

Lows? Silas doesn't seem to like the US...he doesn't sleep at night very well any more! Reverse culture shock. Feeling a bit lost at times. Not knowing what we are really thinking and feeling. But...

We are now feeling more settled and at peace. In fact, we LOVE being in the US and taking advantage of all of our favorite things to do while we can. Even the snow. Nothing like sitting in a warm house watching the fat, fluffy flakes of snow fall outside covering everything. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and has helped make us comfortable since our return. We are extremely grateful and blessed.