Hey all, sorry to be so lax in returning mail and pushing comments through. I have been using my cell phone primarily and its unreliable with web app's at times. Cell phone and internet reception is dicey in the village and even in certain parts of the house. Even the GPS blinks out mid trip. Nothing like the little pit in your stomach hearing the words "Lost satellite reception…" when you are out without a map!
Yes, we are in Germany. The trip went well despite lots of things stacked against it – not the least of which was a lifelong phobia on my part. Though I have been traveling since I was a teenager (here in fact, as an exchange student) it has not been easy. For many years it wasn't even possible anymore. In fact I have turned down speaking speaking engagements in different parts of the country which were too far to drive. I just couldn't do it otherwise.
I have been working through a rigorous program since last fall to finally make major changes in my life. I guess you could say we have that! ; ) It has been a very intense time for us. There are still big steps to take but there is progress every day and life looks different all the time. Indeed it does.
The children are doing very well since our family has been reunited. Tess struggled mightily beforehand. She missed her Daddy so badly she was unable to sleep and potty training went back out the window. She is happily adjusted now with no problems in either area. In fact she said yesterday she did not want to go back to the 'nited States but she did want her brother to drive his red car here. : ) We do miss those boys already.
The past several years have been nothing short of exhausting for us. What began as a marvelous adventure on the ranch became an unrelenting burden in many ways as the remodeling took on a life of its own (we had underestimated the need there) and my husband's career amp'd up. Ranching is a full time venture requiring more than one adult and we did not have that to give it. Allen and I both responded to that stress in different ways and our lives began to move in different directions as I worked to keep the ranch afloat and functioning and his life became more urban and travel composed an ever increasing part of it. Both of us feeling very stuck. We each had our own wake up calls and are now spending time regrouping, decompressing, and seeing where the future is taking us.
I would say I have been busy but it isn't true. In fact for the first time in recent history there is very little that must be done each day. We straighten things up, we cook, we eat together, we talk, and we walk. We walk and walk and walk, miles each day pushing a pair of pink strollers. When the coffee and Toblerone stash drops to dangerously low levels we shop. We talk about what has happened and what is to come. This is life today. It is a slow life and a face to face life. We needed that.
I haven't had my blogging mojo for a few weeks now. Can't say where that is heading. This space records parts of a life, but is not a life itself. A virtual life is not worth living after all. So I am feeding the real one. I do miss my friends here though. Your letters and calls and prayers over the past weeks and months are treasured in my heart. They have kept me going, kept me trying, got me here. You cannot know what they have meant to me. So I didn't want to just leave you hanging. It has been all that. One chapter closed, another is beginning.
Starry Sky Journal 
Oh Kim, it sounds as though you are on a second honeymoon. What a wonderful grace to be able to come together and realign your visions and goals, together, as a family.
When we moved last year we went to a much smaller house (1300 square feet smaller). After getting rid of a bunch of stuff, I have found that feeling that you are describing-the peace of simplicity. I find it very fascinating that you found it by moving away from the country as in my mind that seems like the epitome of simplicity, but it does make sense. I am so glad that things are going so well and you are bonding together as a family in a new and different way. I hope you all enjoy your adventure.
Continuing to pray for your family, Kim! May these days be blessed by His amazing grace. Hugs!
At some pt I do hope to share the reality of rural living today. Many – especially in the homeschooling community – have romanticized it. There are wonderful things about the country, namely being so close to nature and so far from people. But the reality is it is a lot of work (or money or both) to own your own utilities, roads, and so on. A friend of ours who lived in an Amish community and I were talking yrs back when I was coveting their neighbors lives. She said well, you could do it, but you wouldnt be homeschooling. I didn’t believe her. But I get it now.
There is only so much we can do and do well. Even the Amish have made choices – to forego homeschool for instance, to forego after school activities and lessons, to do without expensive and high maintenance electrical/plumbing/heating systems, and to live with many adults in close proximity. Adding responsibility for all that – plus animals and tractors and plows and you name it – puts an incredible strain on a family which is in all likelihood living far from extended family and likeminded friends and has a father already putting in full days someplace else to pay for all of the above. In many ways, city living is far simpler – provided one does not fill up all the extra spaces with more stuff and activities.
Bottom line, if someone else is in charge of keeping your water flowing in and out and your lights on and you are only feeding two legged creatures tonight – smile and enjoy. : ) The grass is always greener.
God bless you, Kim! I think of you often and wish you all of the best!
We will continue to keep you, your dear family, and your new adventures in our prayers!
I spent the first half of my childhood living in the country: we had several acres, extensive gardens and orchards and wild places. For a child, it was pretty idyllic. It wasn’t until I was in my late teens-early twenties that I was able to understand just how much work it had been for my mother (my father worked well-away from home, in the city) — and how isolating. I think you are right about how much money and work such a life requires. In raising (and homeschooling) my own family, I’ve chosen to remain in town — it’s a little easier. smile Though I surely do miss the wide open wild ….
I’m living life off-line, but my son said he felt that you had posted… I kid you not. He checked in for me and lo and behold you had posted the day before! So I’m just jumping back on-line for a moment to say hello! Germany! Enjoy your new life Kim.
Blessings,
Laura
Hi Kim! I just wanted to say that I have been enjoying your blog for awhile now and I am excited for this new time in your life. I love Germany and have some cousins that live near Frankfurt. I enjoyed visiting them once and think the Germany countryside is absolutely gorgeous. I look forward to seeing more pictures of your new life…but I completely understand…only when you have time to share them. One line that stood out for me in one of the posts – I am just reading through them now – “we are living a life face to face” or something like that. So very true and something all of us should strive for. God Bless you and your dear family!