All's Well that End's Well

2012 ended with a mixture of post-anniversary relaxation and the Christmas spirit.  I love my family and am grateful for their patience and perseverance.  We have settled into our life in Chapel Hill-a tough transition-but aren't they all?  I find that as I get older, aka "mature," it is more difficult to change and break out of my shell.  I've moved so much that efforts to get to know new people are made with caution AND slowly.  But I enjoy the journey, I love new places and experiences; I just want to do it at my own pace!

Here's hoping 2013 is another journey of discovery and filled with much love for us all . . .

Rites of Spring (Since It's Almost Summer)

So what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green . . . and hot and humid.  Well, we're actually enjoying a cool almost summer, thus far.  But a few weeks ago, it was close to 100 and muggy, so we'll take a spring-like reprieve!  A catch up of some Hamberlin sporting events minus Nico's Triangle United soccer photos (they seem to be MIA).

NC All Stars Rugby with Mason (and a load of very large guys)

Emma's 6-8 yr. old Penguin soccer team

MS sport awards ceremony for Girl's Soccer

Highlander's place 3rd in U19 Rugby Tournament

Nico's 10th Birthday!

Reaching new heights in the pool

Nico goes for broke and diving board is optional (or rather, broken)

Colbie Caillat

Lovely Raleigh Amphitheatre, downtown

Marina is very thrilled

Dawes at Cat's Cradle, bass player on verge of flatlining with enthusiasm

Nico preparing for his first Cub Scout Camp

Hanging out at yet another soccer game at Phillips MS

Papillon fun at Durham Life & Science Museum

Hello 2012 . . . Really

I'd like to say that I can't believe it's been over eight months since any blog activity has occured  Moving is tough, but an international move seems to take it's toll for many months--from the time you prepare for packing till the time you receive and unpack that very last box.   And that's just physically.  Emotionally, a different story, but I digress.  At the end of June 2011, we were blessed to take a Baltic and Scandinavian cruise.   We visited places we had always wanted to see but were left wondering if we had the time, money, and stamina to actually follow through . . . fortunately, the Force was on our side and we had a wonderful, eye-opening time.  I've posted some pictures of Germany and Denmark on facebook, but stopped when the moving process began.  We also enjoyed Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.  How fortunate we are!  As Dr. Seuss would say:

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself Any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go."

"You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that... Life's a great balancing act."

We are grateful to be back in the U.S., and beginning a new balancing act in Chapel Hill, NC.  Go Tarheels!  Mark still works for Cisco out of Research Triangle Park, aka RTP.  So far he's traveled a few times a month; we can handle this.  In fact, I am secretly or not so secretly jealous of his travel schedule because I already miss the excitement of a trip to a new city here or country there.

Testing the Waters

Working it out at the hotel

It was a sign!  The hotel's front lawn feature a  male mannequin sporting a NC State t--shirt . . .

so everyone got into the action . . . 

except of  course, for Mason, who is wise enough to know it could end up on here!

Checking out a caterpillar during ice cream house-hunt break . . .

and falling asleep in the tub after a long day's search.

The Raleigh Temple

Striking a pose, never a bashful girl.

It's small but mighty.

A rare picture of sibling cooperation . . . 

as well as pure joy (from videogames), always brings the family together :).  Seconds later someone sustained a "smack in the face" minor injury.

Our time was well spent during April's spring break.  We arrived as a tornado was whipping through NC.  It was the worst turbulence I've ever experienced.  I thought I would pass out from hot flashes and all the bumpiness.  We also left the country as horrible tornados spread across the southern U.S., the worst those areas have seen in years.  Some kind of harbinger?  Hopefully not!!  We headed to Raleigh, NC, for our first visit to the U.S. since 2009.  Needless to say, the children were excited.  Well, most of them.  It was major culture disorientation since we often found ourselves looking around and wondering, "How long will it take to feel like we're home here?"  Testing the waters during a house hunt was the perfect opportunity for me to pack on 5 pounds and limp around in my tendonitis boot!  I think I certainly looked American as I saw a much more mature lady in Target sporting my boot/brace also.  Yes, Target, praise be!  We sounded like a bunch of idiots as our family of six perused every aisle in the store and embarrassed ourselves by shouting and drooling over the Entenmann's, Tasty Cakes, Hostess, insert your favorite treat here, in the food section.

But on to more serious things.  Yes, we did find a home.  And, we learned a lot.  Comme toujours.  Over and over.  Like, homes on the internet look much different in real life.  Yards are small and full of pine trees, not grass.  Chapel Hill is expensive but has great schools so there's not much that fits our family size and spoiled, idealized list of wants.  Thus, a mansion is not in our future, nor is a plot with a soccer pitch.  And the kids' favorite, Chik-Fil-A is everywhere, and Wendy's is alive and well.  There we go with the food again.  We will have to do some hefty home renovations, but I am actually looking forward to the challenge (I think).  I guess it's more the chance to shop for carpet, pick wall colors and bathroom designs, etc., without having to build a home from the ground that is exciting.  To make the house a home.  Must remind myself of this when we begin a "Money Pit" scenario :)


We visited our new church/ward.  There are four wards that meet in the chapel where we would attend.  That's huge when compared to our situation the last six years.  The kids met some potential friends, however, Mason faces the minority issue he has always faced as a young man.  There just aren't that many guys his age wherever we've lived.  Fortunately, the young men from several wards gather a few times a month for activities, so he'll have more opportunities.


But for now, I am trying to squeeze every bit of life out of our time here in the UK.  Don't want to think about packing it all up just yet!!

Signs of Spring (UK style)

Go Blues!

The Line-Up (Nico's keeper hero, Cech, in neon)

A great afternoon out with Dad

#1 Chelsea fan (well, maybe)

Emma at Hampton Court with Micheline

Basking in daffodil blooms at the Palace

The Queen Victoria Statue a few weeks before the BIG wedding

Playing goofy American/French tourists

The Glass Coach that carried Princess Di on her wedding day

Check out the Queen's ride (only used twice but housed in the Royal Mews)

Marina, ACS MS pitcher, in action

I just realized I'm missing a photo of Mason; he'll get in here eventually.  Spring exploded in April, a bit early, but we've loved both the beautiful weather and the feeling of activity in the air.  The chauffering life it is for me.  Of course, Nico continues with soccer 3x a week, Emma enjoys t-ball, Marina finished her run in "Annie," and Mason keeps up with running and playing in his band.  I won't bore you with other details, but one thing that has made my personal life easier has been my "release" from church RS president (women's group) to nursery leader.  So, I've gone from leading a bunch of ladies to being led by two sweet 2 yr. old girls!  Change is good.

Yet change is hard.  The next post or so may detail the change of preparing for another international move...back to the U.S. this summer.

In Brugges

So quaint.

Goofball Emma.

Town hall.

La Tour, the Tower.

Des sacs en chocolat.

Chocolat prep demonstration.

Yes, it's chocolate!

Chocolate crêche.

Some kind of choco giant.

Another creation.

Trying to stay warm.

One of my favorite movies ever is called In Brugges.  It's not easy on the ears, however, as a few of the characters have swearing problems being that they're English & Irish mobsters and assassins.  Not very pretty . . . but the film's theme (and setting) is pretty.  Even the toughest cookie can have a change of heart and find redemption, and it's important to find beauty in life's quiet quotidien moments.  We found beauty at the Museum of Chocolate, in the architecture, on the streets, yada yada yada.  A wonderful day that was made even better as it ended with an international ice sculpture show at the train station.  I know, more Belgium photos, the excitement is palpable.