A Little Perspective...

I could start making all sorts of apologies for not posting, but it all boils down to Blogger. I HATE the add photo interface, and trying to move them around in the post. WHY is it so difficult? (sigh) If you can't tell, Ange is having 'motional turmoil: loving America, missing India, loving family, missing family, loving shopping, missing shopping, loving food, missing food, loving orderliness, missing chaos, and I've gained 3 pounds. But... yesterday there was a fantastic storm that yielded this beauty to put it all in perspective. Sigh... everything will work out just fine.

Since we've been back

We've been back almost a week and it's obvious to me that we won't have really exciting stuff to blog about anymore, at least relative to the last two years. I've finally checked out some of the photos on my camera and thought to share a little from our now humdrum lives back in civilization.

On the plane... why is it always freezing?

This was upon arrival at O'hare in Chicago - 18+ hours of travel time

Our first Saturday home we had a family get-together. My grandparents came up from Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Grandpa Z missed a step at the rest stop - broke his thumb and ended up with 17 stitches on his face. Aside from how awful he looked, it sure was good to see them.

My mom, sister and I pitched in to get this bad boy for my dad for Father's Day. Wish I could have captured his face on camera - like a Ralphie on Christmas opening his "Red Ryder carbine-action 200 shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time"

Dave and I were able to attend the Olmsted Foundation Orientation and Banquet for the newly selected Olmsted Scholar Class of 2010. It was so great to get to meet them and see the excitement (and a little trepidation) in their eyes as they prepared for this life-changing adventure. It's difficult to believe it was 3 years ago that we were sitting in those chairs in mild state of panic. Even more difficult to believe is the fact that I survived it all. What an amazing experience!

Nesting

So it's been 4 days since we arrived back in the US, and it's still 'exciting and new'. Grocery stores (or ANY store for that matter) are still overwhelming. I am almost paralyzed by the selection and prices and 'I don't NEED this' keeps running through my head, so shopping has become more of a spectator sport, at least for the present. The kids are enjoying the beautiful Chicago weather, green grass to run through, and fresh air to breathe. I can't even begin to describe how amazing fresh air is. I sleep with my window open and night and when I wake up in the morning with that first morning scent, it's enough to make me tear up a bit (not that that takes much). Blue skies and fresh air can do so much to lift one's heart. Many times through the day, I find myself singing "God Bless America" or "America the Beautiful" in my head. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED living in India. But I appreciated India for what it is, and for the opportunity and adventure we would live - temporarily. I am deeply grateful for my American citizenship, and this experience has only increased that.

So, today started with dishes, folding laundry, and computer maintenance for my mom, all mundane and seemingly boring tasks, but I found them quite gratifying. I'm sure that will pass quickly, but for the moment I can sigh contentedly and start humming patriotic songs.