It is hard to believe that it has been four years since we made the big move to international living. This marks our fourth Christmas in the Land of Sand, but it is also marking our LAST Christmas. We knew that it would eventually happen, but we didn't know when. Just a couple of years ago the oil industry did a nose dive off a cliff and left so many without jobs. We were lucky at the time because Clint (aka hubby) was secure in this international position. But we weren't unscathed from the impact of the decline of the oil market. It affected even those living abroad. We were just thankful that his job was still intact. Now the job here is complete and we are once again thankful that his position with his company is safe…..but it comes with a transition. So we begin the process once again of relocating. To where? That is not clear just yet. So we face the future again as another adventure and hopeful for what lies ahead.At the same time that we will be transitioning back to the US, we will also be transitioning to a new stage in life…our oldest, Clay, will be transitioning into adulthood and college life! We will officially have one baby bird leaving the nest! It's hard to believe that we are quickly approaching this moment. So we must cherish the next 6-8 months as a collective family of 5 under one "roof".
This transition also impacts our other two boys, as they will be going through readjustments to public school, friends, and day to day living. Living abroad has a lot of similarities to where we are from but on the flip side of that coin, it is also vastly different. The school system is different, the teaching styles are different, the cultural exposure is different, the level of cultural diversity is different, the level of acceptance of others is different and unique, the experiences and opportunities are different, and these differences shape your mindset and expectations. Joshua will be entering the 10th grade in the fall of 2017 and Denver will be entering 8th grade. I will also be making adjustments. I will need to find a teaching position. I have been teaching here in the Land of Sand but as much as it is the same it too is vastly different than what I was used to in Texas. I have been very specialized over the past 4 years in my teaching position. I have been the sole education provider for one little girl so that she can be immersed in the mainstream classroom of her peers. I have modified lessons and skills on the spot for her while sitting next to her in the classroom that is led by the grade level classroom teacher. My position is very unique, even for the Land of Sand. I am looking forward to getting back to being "the teacher", but I will forever be changed by my time with this very special little girl and her sweet family. I am hoping to get back to teaching Family and Consumer Science. This is the field I love, but it is very specific and often hard to find open positions. So I have to start my search from abroad, but being I do not know specifically where we may relocate to, I am unable to fully start this search. I have realized that in the four years that we have been abroad, that many things have changed in the education system back home, so this means I am a little behind on some things. I know that I will learn quickly what I need to know but I still feel uneasy about being behind the curve in some areas. Like I said….adjustments.
Clint, my hubby, will also be adjusting. He will be making adjustments to a new position, a new working team, more responsibilities of the position, and making the transition from international to domestic domains. All of these adjustments will be compounded on top of what we will need to do as a family unit. He will also be finishing up his degree in whatever free moments he can find. So his plate is full!
I am sharing all of these thoughts because if you have never uprooted your life and your family's life, it is hard to really understand what emotions or thoughts we may be having. I wanted to share a glimpse of what weighs on my mind and my heart as we begin making these changes and adjustments. Although we make no decision on a whim or take anything lightly, our boys are somewhat at the mercy of what we do. Will we all be stronger in the end? Yes, I am positive that we will be, but that doesn't mean that the transition or the journey is easy. So keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. Be kind and considerate if we do not always seem as excited about things as you are or as you think we should be. If we seem distracted, please be patient….we are trying.
There's a lot going on….BUT we still love you all and are thankful that you are part of our lives!
Bring on 2017…We are ready! Where the will of God takes us, His mercy and grace will surely protect us!
