Goodbye to Deutschland

As it turns out, I am still alive.
My laptop kicked the bucket and I’ve been unable to write for some time, but yes, life has been barreling forward without pause.

To start, I gave birth. Yay! The entire episode deserves a post unto itself, because birthing in Germany was…an experience. I’ll try to get to that soon, but for now I will just say that my little Daniel came. And he is wonderful.

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Gosh, I’ve been enjoying him tremendously. This fact is a major relief. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was scared of having a boy. They are just different creatures, at least the ones I’ve been around.
Sound effects, wildness, vehicular toys, any item doubling as a weapon? I don’t get it. But it turns out I don’t have to understand a boy to love him.
And I am straight drunk on love for this little man.

Did I mention he came with hair?
Oh my joy.

I have another admission. The thought of a third had seemed daunting to me. I was scared I wouldn’t have enough to give—that I’d be haggard, harried, worn. I’m an introvert and need serious alone time in order to function. And I want to be happy and whole, giving to my family from a good place. It took a solid spoonful of courage to trust when I felt called to another kid. I’m not saying things are perfect, or that I don’t have my moments, but love is really helping. Again, drunk on love. This boy is such a consolation to me.

And 3 weeks ago, it actually happened. We said goodbye to Germany, hopped into a plane, then another, and then another. A billion hours later we landed in California and went straight to the beach. Ha. Just kidding. We crawled into hotel beds, some of us crying, and slept until the baby roused us at 2am, singing and ready to start a new day.

Motivated to not live in a single room any longer than necessary, we managed to buy a car, get cell phone numbers, and move into a duplex all in just a handful of days. We are essentially camping in an empty place for another month until our stuff arrives, but it is so fabulous to have doors again. Sleep is far more feasible when we have separate rooms. And that is a win and a half.

Camping, suburb style!

Basically things are good. Ups and downs like everyone. Teething, paper plates, sleeping bags, a single knife and pan for all food prep. But also wonderful new neighbors, amazing weather, free water when I dine, seeing the ocean, American milkshakes.

It isn’t easy to leave Germany. I don’t know if I can ever adjust to facing the choice of 300 tubes of toothpaste at Target. Or swallowing how expensive good chocolate is.
But I am back, eager to see friends and family. And it will be a delight to not use Google Translate on every single informational sheet sent home by a teacher.
And truly, California ain't such a terrible place.