What a full year. Our little boy went from being a baby to a pre-toddler. We started the year in the States and ended the year in South Asia, with a trip back to the States in between.
The Good:
We enjoyed time with extended family, always a blessing and a big deal. We found out we were pregnant with another little boy! We spent time outside as a family enjoying hikes, walks, and adventures together. We started a family worship rhythm each night that has been life-giving for all of us as we sing a song in our heart language, read The Big Picture Story Bible, and pray together. I started The Daily Grace, A Year in the Bible reading plan and listening to the podcast that goes with it. It is giving me a deeper understanding of how the Old Testament points to Christ. I continued to prioritize health through fitness (Btribalfit, NourishMoveLove, neighborhood walks) and striving to nourish my family with healthy foods. I went to a health coach to learn how to better manage my hypoglycemia (super helpful).
The Hard:
I learned new rhythms as I figured out what it looks like to be an ex-pat and mama, juggling life overseas with a little one. I wrestle with what is “enough” and how to do life here. Saying “see-ya-later” to our families was (and is always) difficult as we come and go. I continued to struggle with how to connect and stay in touch with certain loved ones due to the drastic time difference and variety of schedules. My grandpa passed away but thankfully we were able to spend quality time together face-to-face only a month before. Certain things about this expat life are difficult and often bring loneliness or discouragement.
Life’s little lessons + reminders
- Cling to Jesus- the giver of life, the one who restores the soul
- Get outside, rain or shine (little kids or not). It doesn’t have to be a grand adventure.
- Be intentional to plan your weeks
- Be the one who initiates the gatherings
- Send photos and videos. Call your loved ones. Life is short.
travel= 🚙 🛩
health related= 🏥
outdoor= 🌳 🏕
extended family= 🧡
January
- drove back from extended family Christmas in TN 🚙 🧡
- visited my grandparents 🧡
- enjoyed snow days in MO with a 6 month old
February
- made some sweet new friends that I have since started an online bookclub with
- took several short trips 🚙 🛩 (Eli’s first flight)
- met up with a dear friend
- Eli did physical therapy for Torticollis 🏥
- We learned the colors that look best on us via House of Colour – so much fun
- Eli’s passport and visa were ready
March
- I got a much needed new night-guard after 10 years 🏥
- spent time with grandparents 🧡
- moved into my parents house as we prepared to pack and leave
- flew back to South Asia after being away for 10 months 🛩
- family hikes 🥾
- visited friends
- trip to another city 🚙
April
- went to a big city for a language intensive which was a flop cause we all got sick 🚙 🏥
- celebrated Passover Seder with 2 families
- celebrated Resurrection Day/ Easter
- hubs went on a short trip
- family hike🥾
May
- family trip to a village 🚙
- spent time with sweet friends
- enjoyed mango season by drinking smoothies every day
- family hike in the neighborhood 🥾
June
- A local friend was super sweet with Eli
- balcony water play in the heat
- Took “Map Your Week Course” and it gave me so much clarity about organizing my life
- hubs went on a trip
- 5th Anniversary
- family outing by the river 🌳
- friends stayed with us for a few days
- Eli loved cherry season
July
- power outages with heat were difficult
- purchased a new fridge and it was such a blessing in making my life easier
- family hike to tea fields 🥾
- we found out we were expecting a baby! 🙂 🏥
- traveled back to the States for a visit 🛩
- Eli turned 1 year old
- spent time with family and did lots of outdoorsy things 🌳 🧡
August
- spent time with more family 🧡 & Eli got swim lessons from Auntie Em
- we get to go on dates!
- Eli walked behind a push car
- Eli’s first haircut
- I got an ultrasound and we saw baby for the first time 🏥
- we enjoyed beef and Chick-Fil-A
- last time we saw my Grandpa W
- traveled back to South Asia 🛩
- got blood test results from the States and find out we were having a boy 🏥
- spent time in the garden 🌳
- Eli took his first steps
- monkey on our balcony
September
- hiked to a friends house 🥾
- spent time in a village
- family hike in the rain 🥾
- my grandpa declines and passed away (it was difficult to be so far away)
- set up Montessori areas around the house
- I got sick and Robby canceled a trip to take care of me and Eli
- celebrated 4 years in South Asia
- went camping on our balcony 🏕
October
- family hike 🥾
- family camping trip 🏕
- we got a front-facing children’s bookshelf made by a local carpenter
- mom’s night out with friends
- hubs went on a longer trip
- enjoyed all things pumpkin
November
- A dear friend visited from the States / hiking 🥾
- My birthday
- hubs went on a trip
- started to get cold inside
- Eli loved family worship time and got excited every night after dinner for it (still does)
- friend watched Eli so we could go on a date
- Thanksgiving with friends
- Eli played in the mud kitchen I set up in the garden
- campfire and s’mores in the garden 🌳
December
- Eli cut his lip and needed stitches (the Lord provided in so many ways but it was difficult to see him in pain) 🏥
- lots of walks to get good produce (1.5 miles round trip from our house)
- loved This Mother Hen advent family devotional
- Christmas parties and fellowship