LAX

As the ticker on our blog says, today is the day!!  It's crazy to think that in less than 24 hours we will be in our new apartment in Amman, Jordan!

One of my biggest worries was just getting to the gate.  We had our Chariot stroller, Bill's road bike in a hard case, and 8 suitcases to check.  Although the first attendant we encountered at curb side wasn't thrilled about helping us, he did.  He had a big cart that we were able to load almost everything onto, and he transported us to ticketing. We had a few hangups at ticketing while checking our baggage, but we expected it. Charlee wasn't in the mood to just stand there, running through the airport is so much more fun :)  The limit for our bags is 50 lbs.  Bill and I were up until after midnight last night, once again weighing and moving stuff around to make them all under 50. We expected we would have to move stuff around at the airport and we were right... that was loads of fun. BUT, we were lucky.. we only had 1 heavy suitcase. Bill's road bike posed a bit of confusion with the attendants, but they figured it out and we paid the $175 to check it. Then the real fun began (don't you love all the sarcasm in this post, lol).. with no cart and no further assistance, we had to transport all those checked items to TSA. I had to contain Charlee and watch all our items, so Hailee had to help daddy. Daddy headed over to TSA and Hailee rolled him the suitcases one at a time. We seriously couldn't of done it without her!  Bill's bike had to be taken to over sized baggage, and that was the last of our checked items.  Let me tell you, never have I been so happy to say goodbye to luggage.  We are very happy we don't have to see any of them again until we arrive in Jordan.

Next it was off to security-  girl's both have mini backpacks, 1 laptop backpack, mommy's purse, 2 stuffed animals, and 3 carry-on bags.  Security wasn't too bad. Mommy learned today that anytime you wear a long skirt, you have to submit to a pat down. It's usually my belt or my jeans or something similar, and although I wasn't expecting to be patted down, I'm used to it.  One of our carry-ons had to be searched b/c of baby wipes??? I'm just going to be thankful that they are so thorough and not question that one too much.

We are now sitting at the gate.. got to the gate with 2 hours to spare.  Although, I questioned Bill's desire to leave so dang early, it is nice that the few hangups we had were not so stressful because we knew we had plenty of time.   The girls are watching movies and reading, and mommy was able to type a whole blog. Daddy is doing what he does best- people watching.

I hope to do a short blog when we arrive in New York, but no guarantee.  Our layover is just under 2 hours, and not having ever flown into JFK, I don't know what to expect.

We'll post updates as often as we can, and will blog about our last days in the state as soon as we have the Internet.  About an hour until boarding...

Thank you Colt & Syd for putting up with us and getting us here this morning. We love you guys!

Are you nervous?

Three days. Actually, since today is almost over, we have 2 days until we will be boarding a plane for Amman.  As we chat with friends and family about our upcoming adventure, probably the question we are most frequently asked is- "Are you nervous?"

Of course we have some nervous feelings. We are after all, human. BUT, we are so excited about the adventure, the feelings of being nervous are overshadowed.  What I'm most nervous about is getting to Amman- a connection in New York, a 5 1/2 hour leg, a 12 1/2 hour leg, 8 suitcases, a road bike in a cargo case, a Chariot stroller, a backpack, an 8 year old, and a 2 year old.  Any ideas why I'm slightly nervous about our travels?

We have talked to so many people that are currently expats in Amman (both colleagues and from other professions), have visited Amman, or formerly lived in Amman. All of who, are excited for us and our upcoming adventure. This past weekend, I was able to chat with the other Special Educations Needs teacher I will be working with.  Joseph and I have conversed multiple times by email, but he is visiting family here in the states, so we were finally able to chat by phone.  It was great to talk with him, and we both already feel we will make a great team. It was great to discuss both the school we will be working at, as well as living in Amman. He answered a few of our lingering questions, shared that he is excited to get out on some rides with my husband, and increased our excitement for our move.

We are ready for the next chapter of our lives. I am sure there are going to be times of frustration (likely the first of which will be in the airport), and times of missing home.  But, the opportunities that await us will be worth it.  We will be world travelers. We already have plans to travel to Rome for our 10 year anniversary in December, and travel Europe for a month summer 2013. Our girls will be cultured and well-round.  We are, after all, giving them the world.  We will see and experience things that we thought would only ever be dreams.  AND best of all, we get to see and experience them together as a family.

We.are.ready.

Day Trip to the beach!

This Cali girl loves the beach, so when the chance arose to take a break from moving preparations and get the heck out of the heat- I was more than ready!

The girls and I headed over to Pismo with one of my best friends, Jennifer, and her son, Carson. The kids had a great time playing in the ocean and digging in the sand, while their mommies were able to relax, read, and just enjoy the beautiful weather. HAHA! Anyone who knows Charlee knows that's not even a possibility. It's what I envisioned before we left, but once again, rambunctious Charlee had other plans for mommy. AND.. maybe, just maybe.. I liked her plans better than my own. I mean, who doesn't love splashing through the ocean while giggling like a child? ;-)

Jenn and I had a great day playing with our kiddos at the beach. We're some pretty lucky ladies who love being moms. We often chat about our journeys as mothers, and how difficult but rewarding it is. The way I see it, we must be doing something right. Despite the trying and challenging times, we have some pretty amazing kids.. and how lucky are we that they have bonded just like their mommies!

-blog from my iPhone

More family time!

If you also blog, you know there is nothing more frustrating than typing up an entire post, and then for whatever reason, you lose the post!  Yep, that just happened.  For that reason, this post will be short and sweet.

With only 5 days left, things have been getting kind of crazy around here! There is so much to do before we leave- spend time with family and friends, pack, paperwork, shopping, etc.  It seems like everytime we get something off the to do list, we add a couple more.  But, it'll all come together and we couldn't be more excited!  Plus, we are doing a pretty good job of balancing fun with the move preparations.  This past weekend we were able to head up to northern Cali and spend some time with my brother and his family.  The pictures pretty much tell the story, but while up there we were able to go on a hike and because it was so hot, we all ended up in the river.  It was a lot of fun!  Oh, and my brother can BBQ with the best of them!  We had a great visit with them, but the weekend flew by entirely too quickly.  We also were able to spend some time visiting with Danielle and Jay this week.  She cooked up a delicious dinner, and we were able to spend some time visiting while the kids played.  Last night we went to Buffalo Wild Wings w/ Colt and Syd.  Try not to be ashamed that we've lived a mile away all summer, and this was our first time enjoying their famous wings!  While there, we also ran into Adrien, Jenn, & Carson.  Great food and great company!

This Sunday we are planning to BBQ with friends and family.  Monday we have a lot to do, and Tuesday we depart.  BBq'n will allow us to see as many people as possible before we depart. 

Today we are taking a break fom the headache that is packing and preparing to leave the states.  The girls and I are headed over to the beach with some friends.  One more fun day on the beach before the real craziness begins!



Charlee slept for the first part of the hike

time to cool off in the river

Bill diving in!




cousins saying goodbye <3

Zayne, Charlee, Hailee, and Shayla



Charlee napping w/ her new backpack



Dinner @ Buffalo Wild Wings

Visiting w/ friends

1 week and 5 days!

We've had a great time visiting with friends this last week.  We were able to go to a great friend Krystal's (aka K-dawg's) birthday party.  We all had a blast, despite the electricity going out for a couple hours.  Remember, it's over 100 degrees here, so that also meant no air conditioning.  Thank goodness it came back on before it got too hot.  When Krystal told us that AJ and her daughter Carrie should be there soon, both my husband and I were ecstatic!  We hadn't seen them in years, so it was great to get to hang out.  We hope to see them all again at our BBQ next weekend.

On Monday I was able to hang out with one of childhood best friends, Charisse.  Charisse and I were so close as kids, but haven't seen each other much since high school.  We reconnected via Facebook (thank you social media!), and made plans to meet up while I was in town.  It was so great to meet her daughter, and for her to meet my 2 girls.  Steph was also able to meet us for a bit, but I forgot again to take a picture.  Next time!

The next day we headed over to the Cramer's to see Nick before he left town.  We had a great visit and enjoyed some pool time.  Even mom got in!  I had no intentions of swimming, but I couldn't resist relaxing on the raft. 

Yesterday, the girls went up and stayed the night with my sister.  I got to get my hair done (and boy did it need it), and spend the day shopping with one of my besties- Jennifer.  I am learning to have a fashion sense, thanks to my amazing friend who ALWAYS looks fabulous.  Afterwards, we met up with our men for dinner... great day!  

AND... although they are miles away, I can't forget about my Colorado peeps!  I got to facetime with some of my favorite ladies at the end of the night.  I miss them so much, but I am so incredibly thankful that I can attend girl's night via Facetime or Skype (although with the time difference, in Jordan it'll be the next morning for me, but as the girls suggested I can join them with a Mimosa, lol).

I can't say it enough, we are blessed to have such amazing people in our lifes.  Love to you all.







Happy birthday Krystal!



 

Carrie & I

Hailee, Bill, & AJ

Carrie, Krystal, & I

Visiting w/ Charisse & Irie

Relaxing at the Cramer's

Date night <3



@ BJ's w/ the Bakers

 

Facetiming w/ my girls!!

Sisterly Love <3

On Wednesday night, our girls were lucky enough to get to spend some time with their Aunt Sarah and their two cousins.  Charlee has not been sleeping through the night, and Hailee has been having nightmares, so I wasn't sure how the night would go.  They played hard all day, but after bathtime, Charlee started crying for mommy.  My sister said she wouldn't come to her, but big sissy Hailee came to the rescue and layed down with her, and she went right to sleep.  The next day we went to pick up the girls, and Hailee really wanted to stay another night.  Considering she won't be seeing her Aunt or cousins for a year, I couldn't say no.  At this point it was past Charlee's naptime, and she was not happy.  We put her in the car, and when she realized Hailee was not coming with us, the fit started!  She cried nearly the whole way back to Bakersfield, saying "Hailee, Hailee, Hailee...", over and over again.  We were able to get her settled down once we got home, but the child forgets nothing.  First thing this morning, Charlee wakes up and says, "Go Hailee."  Although she is no longer throwing a fit, she has said multiple times this morning, "I want Hailee."  She misses her sis, no doubt about it. 

I absolutely love how close my two girls are.  I mean, they have an older sister and brothers too, and trust me they absolutely adore them, but Hailee was the only kid at home when I became pregnant with Charlee.  They have been so close since Charlee blessed our family.  Yes, of course they fight- their both strong-willed, stubborn girls (not sure where they get that from?). But, they really are the best of friends.  Charlee is so lucky to have such a great big sister.  A sister who brings her with her to her friend's house, shares her toys with her, rides kiddy rides with her, and who calls to check on her little sis when shes away. 

Sisterly love... there's nothing like it <3  

Meeting for the first time <3