Ridenour Family - December 2011

Ridenour Family - December 2011
Shanna, Jeff and Zoe, Santiago de Chile, December 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Seven More Days

You know how sometimes a week can seem like forever? And then other times it feels like you blinked and missed it?

Yeah, me too.

Since January, our lives have significantly changed - several times. All of a sudden, we lived in the suburbs with no car, didn't know anyone in our building (let alone our floor), didn't know our way around our neighborhood, Jeff was gone all day while I was with Zoe, and we were sort of living from day to day with no real knowledge of what was to come.

THEN we were assigned to Santiago... and none of the day-to-day stuff really changed. The only thing that was different was that there was finally an end in sight to this interim. That helped a lot!

THEN Zoe started physical therapy... and promptly began walking on March 19, 2011. I didn't have to carry her all the time when we went somewhere, I didn't have to mess with hauling a stroller around unless it was going to be a really long day... So many people said, "Oh, well, you wish she would walk now, but when she finally starts, you'll wish it was back the way it was!" And actually, they're wrong. (Sorry people.) I love how much happier she is now that she can go get her books from her room and bring them to me (or her Daddy). I love how much more independent she is. Next project: pulling her own suitcase. :-)

THEN we were assigned our housing. Nothing will make a move more real than pictures of the place where you'll be staying! It's amazing - plenty of room and lots of natural light. And I think we're a block away from Starbucks. Which is just funny really.

THEN Zoe turned two years old. I had been previously been receiving emails from a certain website that were sort of "Updates on your baby's development" emails. The one I received on her birthday said, "Updates on your preschooler's development." Preschooler? What? You mean she's going to get bigger than this? As I was planning her birthday party (with another mom of a May-birthday two-year-old), I realized that we have made good friends here. And Zoe has made good friends here. Here's a picture from her party:



As you can tell from her pink cheeks and the frosting all over her face, she had a great time, surrounded by family and new friends. (The moonbounce helped, too.)

NOW, we're getting ready to leave. In seven more days. There are suitcases to be packed, boxes to be loaded, food to be given away... and goodbyes to be said. I'm sure we'll get better at them, but right now, they stink. Don't get me wrong - we are READY to leave and "get there." But we've been surrounded by folks who have made this transition easier.

And we're grateful. Thanks guys. We'll see you around.

1 comment:

  1. aw! love your update- how did you summarize it all so beautifully? And LOVE your new photo. We will miss you terribly!

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