It's a Wrap

Seven weeks down and after a penis confirmation, two baptisms, much chatting/translating and cups of Turkish coffee later I have returned home.

Thank God the return flight was much more uneventful than the one coming.

I contemplated kissing the ground when when arrived in the U.S. but wasn't too sure about being able to get back up.... but the thought was there. And I did get misty in the eyes when we passed our first Tar'get on the drive back home.

Overall, it was an amazing trip. I think Truman had her first case of being truly smitten. Which is all good by us since they are separated by an ocean and thousands of miles. (Though they are keeping Skype busy).

This trip was really a trip for the girls. Truman became inseparable best friends with her cousin Tea' and I think her eyes have definitely been opened to the world outside of Abingdon, Virginia. Riley, well, Riley was just spoiled. I doubt boredom ever entered her mind from the moment we arrived until the minute we left. She rekindled the special bond with her Macedonian grandparents after having not seen them for two years. The down side is for Riley is Mommy doesn't feed her on demand every two hours and doesn't hand feed her as she soon learned Baba would. I definitely see weight loss in her future. Both girls continue speaking Macedonian and I hope they can keep that up.

As for me, I'm still pregnant, just bigger.

I have an "expanded" appreciation for all things American. Much more so than I did when I was traveling through Europe in my 20's. I guess getting "older" also means I've gotten a little more pampered to such things as on demand hot water and central heat and air. But I also realize that we (Americans) just don't take the time to truly enjoy life... our families....even the day we have been given. Doing without "things" can bring on that realization pretty quick but then again what have Americans ever really done without?

We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful Macedonian family and the girls and I could not have been treated better or with more love any where else. They made our visit an experience we will never forget.

A special thanks goes out to my good friend, Amy McMurray, who's regular phone calls kept me linked with everything back home and was therefore responsible for my sanity abroad.

I must also express thanks to J.R. Ward, author of the Dark Lover series. I completed six of her books while abroad and they helped many long afternoons pass as I waited for the 100 degree temps to return to a bearable level for venturing out into the evening. The fact that they were awesome was an added bonus.

Waves of Welcome and Goodbye

I don't think I mentioned the fact that during my seven week stay in Macedonia I spent at least four of those weeks sitting on my ass! You see I had the "welcome to Macedonia" get togethers for me and the girls and then I had round two with "welcome to Macedonia Dejan" and then finally the "goodbye to Macedonia" sessions. And these aren't quick in and outs. Five to six hours is average. Macedonians have an amazing sense of hospitality and like I said, my ass can attest to that fact. But by week five I had learned to best thing for me was to chit chat as best I could for the first two hours and then being pregnant I was somewhat forgiven for finding a more comfortable place to sit, propping up my legs and reading a book. Dejan of course took things from there. And as you can see from the photos of one such evening..... he decided to include dancing in his repertoire.

More Probistep Photos

Probistep Photos

Visit With Family in Probistep

Mind you the last time I visited Probistep, eight years ago, I saw a man riding a donkey with his wife walking them as we were heading into town. So I really wasn't sure what to expect on this go round. What I did find was a cute, clean, close knit rural community probably comparable to some of the small towns we would find back home.

Obviously the main reason for the visit was to see Dejan's family. Two of his favorite cousins, Toni and Vladko, live in Probistep with their families. Toni is a career firefighter who was diagnosed with lung cancer a few months ago, so the visit was bittersweet.

There are so many photos I love from this visit and I guess a picture is worth a thousand words!

Celebrating Macedonian Style

As you might guess, a baptism is call for celebration and Baba and Biba were not to be outdone. Somehow in their small apartment we hosted at least 25 people that evening. Friends and family brought lovely gifts for the girls and the Macedonian music could have probably been heard throughout the entire building. I had to include photos of the food. For those who know me, please don't think I had some epiphany while over there and I will be cooking like this anytime soon. These photos are as close as you're going to get.