This is what we dealt with almost every time the camera came out. KIDS!
Yesterday proved to be one of the hardest days so far. We had to say Goodbye to the kids teachers, and friends. I was so anxious all morning absolutely dreading picking Pajha up because I knew that this would be the last time that we would see her teachers and friends. I ran around all morning getting last minute things... cards, gifts, etc. I got each of her friends a cute bracelet with BFF on it and a little card to explain to them what that meant. I was crying before I even hit the door of the school. As I walked in I was greeted by her teachers who were already tearing up. Pajha passed her gifts out and then a few of her closest friends came out to say Goodbye. While Pajha was hugging her friend Julie she was saying to her "Now this bracelet is a promise that we will be friends forever okay?". Her "boyfriend" Leo came out to receive his gift and gave Pajha a big hug and a kiss on the hand, how sweet! Pajha held it together pretty good, until Mrs. Lucia walked us to the door. They hugged and hugged and hugged for what seemed like an eternity, both of them crying, me sobbing so bad my nose was running. Finally we walk out, make it as far as the gate and Pajha completely broke down. She was crying so hard, which of course made my already sobbing state to a very dramatic I can't even breathe state. We just sat there hugging and crying for a while as parents coming to pick up their children passed us wondering what the heck was going on. When I felt I could drive safely we left. She cried for another 20 minutes telling me over and over that she doesn't want to go to America anymore. She wants to stay here. You have to remember we have been here since she was one, so this is all she really knows. It was horrible so it was nice to pick up Peyton who is happy as can be about leaving. We said Goodbye to his friends who are already planning a trip to California to visit sometime next year and that was it. It was finally over with. It was harder than I imagined and I imagined it to be pretty dang hard, but we survived and we are okay. Tonight I say Goodbye to my friends. ROUGH. I think by the time I get to Utah I will be so emotionally drained I might sleep for a week.
Almost four years ago to the day I came into this country kicking, screaming and crying. In a short 5 days I will be leaving kicking, screaming and crying. Never in a million years did I ever think I would say this... but.... I think I might miss it! When Bjay told me where we would be moving four years ago my heart sunk to my toes. I was so angry. When the day came for the kids and I to come here I was NOT happy at all. The flight was a nightmare. Me, a one year old and a three year old. I never imagined traveling alone with two kids could be so hard. By the time we arrived, I was about to wet my pants (kindof hard to use the bathroom with two kids on an airplane), I was in desperate need of a shower (being puked on is never nice) and I hadn't slept in over 24 hours. I was so angry with Bjay I literally said to him the second I saw him "Don't touch me, don't talk to me, don't even look at me and if you EVER make me do that again that will be the end." I have since done that dreadful trip alone quite a few times. Guess I am not always a woman of my word :) The first 6 months I was pretty determined to make Bjay pay by being miserable. I wanted him to know that I was angry that he dragged me to this strange place, took me away from my friends and my family AGAIN... then I realized, that I was only making myself miserable. It was then that I decided all I could do was make the best of my situation, enjoy it, embrace it and DEAL with it. I started making some great friends who I had alot in common with. Some have left and been replaced with new ones... but I have been so lucky to have gotten to know each and every one of them. They have all taught me so many things. I am so lucky! We are all in the same situations... and that is something that initially bonded us but it goes so much deeper than that. I pray that they will always be in my life. When you are here you are family... that is how it is.... we spend our holidays together, we cry together, we laugh together, we are there for each other no matter what the situation is. FRIENDSHIP is such a powerful thing. I feel so blessed to know them, whether I have known them the entire four years or just a short six months the feeling is the same, like I have known ya forever. I adore you girls... honestly... I am so sad to leave you. Thank you for making the last four years so amazing. I WILL miss you!
Let me just tell you about how crappy the last two weeks have been. I feel like I have my phone glued to my ear. First of all I had to call Peyton's doctor (who by the way scares the hell out of me). She just isn't very nice, and I have been calling her for over a month now and leaving messages on the machine for her to call me because I need copies of his records to take home with me. Never returned my call and apparently when I finally did get a hold of her it was horrible timing. She was so RUDE. I asked her if I could drive the 45 minutes to her and pick up a copy. She said "NO... I am leaving the country tomorrow and I will not be back until next week." Okay fair enough.... so I asked if I could come by next week. She again said "NO, I do not have time for this. I am having a really hard time right now".... okayyyyyy.... I apologize to her for having a hard time right now but explain very nicely that I am leaving the country for good in a couple of weeks and would really like to have a copy to give to his pediatrician in the states. Basically what I got from her was "IF I get around to it I will call you otherwise you will have to fax me an address to where I can mail it and I will do that when I have time". Thanks. UGH! That isn't the only problem I have had..... I have been calling and calling airlines trying to find a flight from out of here for the dog. Pain in the butt. I was able to get her on one of my flights as cargo pretty easily (God Bless America). Getting her from here to Dublin has been a NIGHTMARE. I don't even think I should get started on it, it has been that bad. Now to my next nightmare:
Peyton is such a great kid.... yes he has his moments (who doesnt'?) but he has the most tender heart of anyone I know. A few things about Peyton:
Peyton is my serious child, but he can also be very outgoing and goofy! He likes to have deep conversations and can turn the simplest conversation into a "deep" conversation. I love that he is always wanting to learn more about things. He is a perfectionist (I think we share a few of the same qualities). Happy Birthday Buddy! I love you so much! Your such a sweet boy! We are so blessed to have you in our family!
Hey guys!This new website, Handbag Planet, is giving away 24 handbags in 24 hours.You can choose between 24 different bags and they are ALL cute.It's really easy to enter and it took me 2 seconds. Not hard at all.Contest ends Oct 15, so do it now!
It is hard to believe that my baby is 5 today. Here are a few random things about Pajha....
Pajha is such a joy in our family. She is my little goofball. Always teasing, always trying to sneek up on you to scare you... a lot like her dad actually (she likes to get reactions out of people). She is growing up so fast and although that is very hard for me it is fun to see her change and mature. She is my little Princess. I love you baby, Happy Birthday!
My sister sent me this email and it was the first time I really laughed in a while.... he he he... so I thought I would share it with all of you!
And a few bonus laughs
You know those days when you feel like you have a balloon for a head? The ones where you walk into a room and completely forget WHY you are there over and over again. That is me in a nutshell. I have been doing this over and over again all day everyday for the past week. I feel so "out of it"... I am just not quite with the program. It takes me 3 times as long to accomplish a small task because I keep forgetting what I am doing. What is wrong with me??? I think my stress level has reached an all time high. I have been having serious back pain to top it off (sress related??? Possibly). In fact Bjay had to tell me today to just relax and stop stressing out about everything because it is rubbing off on him. Hmmm.... maybe he is right. So I need to relax... how does one go about doing that?
The moment we have been waiting for has finally arrived. We know where we will be going, at last! I am not thrilled, neither is Bjay but at least we will be closer to home. We are going to be living in Oceanside, California. For the last four years we have been living on an Island. I have to admit I am so DONE with the beach, done with humidity, and done with living overseas. However, we will be moving to a place near a beach, probably a bit humid but heck at least it is in America (one out of 3 isn't too bad, right???)..... hmmmm..... I will still be in Utah for at least a couple of months with the kids until we find a place in Cali. Here is where you all come in... I need to see as many of you as I can. I feel like I have been living in a very small bubble (okay, okay.... one that includes internet and a few great friends) but I am aching to be near the ones I love and miss. I need this to feel as normal as possible for my kids. They are beginning to show signs of sadness about leaving Cyprus. I am worried how they will take it. I am worried how we will adjust to all of the new things that will be happening. I just need your love and support if you don't mind :)
