One Month Today

One month today.

Today is my contribution to the blog.  It has been one month since we have moved here.  I am amazed at how much we have learned about our environment and ourselves.

Our daughters have adjusted far better than I would have expected.  It is not because of my low expectations; rather it is my lack of experience in radically changing their lives.  If I think about it in detail however, it is what I should have expected.  As they take a timid step forward it transforms into a run.  They do fall, but most importantly their mother is there to help them up.  The next step is less timid and the transition to run faster.  Yet where they fell the first time they have adjusted their step based on the lesson learned.  They never have to look behind them as they know their mother is there.  It is because of this they have adjusted and will succeed, both in this and in future transitions.  This realization came to me after meeting with their teachers.  Both teachers were amazed at how well they have transitioned in the classroom and its social setting.

While initially busy helping our daughters it is important to mention how well Michele has adjusted.  We both understand this is still a "honeymoon" period (not in the way you first thought) and there will be additional hurdles and changes in attitude, however I am confident in her confidence and strength.  Reducing tram times and a second car are now the highest priority to pass the next sanity check.

As for myself I must admit the transition has not been an easy one.  Mostly I believe it is the full time work in addition to the full time adjustment tasks, both administrative and organizational in nature that has made it difficult. Although I must say compared to the prior year coming home from work while in Germany and being greeted by wife, daughters, and dog is much more satisfying than an empty hotel room.  And that is the point.  We are together, experiencing new things, becoming different individuals together and growing in our love for each other.

And the dog.  Oh the dog.  Still the same, still crazy, still great.  I wavered bringing him.  But the common sense of Michele, the need for the girls, and Christophe convinced me otherwise.  Thank you.


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We offer our story for those that don't know us well.
Your eyes read our lives.
And our story is now yours to tell.