Oregon Here We Come

It's official, we're are coming home July 10th. A mere 2 months and 7 days away. I know it's gonna be here in a blink of an eye, because that's how fast these last 8 months have been. We bought our tickets 2 days ago and what do ya know, it was TWICE as much as our tickets were to get over here. Hmm . . . We have such mixed feelings about the whole thing. Just 2 weeks ago we decided we were definitely going to stay 'till September and then last week we started considering coming earlier and now BAM! We've lost 2 whole months with our friends. It makes us sad. I still feel like there is so much friendship to experience. I guess if I knew Greg was going to get hired somewhere and we'd start our whole "move into a house and have a baby" thing I'd be a lot more anxious. But instead it's going to be move in with Greg's parents, hopefully Greg gets a job and how long are we gonna be in this situation???? No, it's going to be fine, I just really struggle and get overwhelmed with the unknown.

Greg will be working fulltime all summer at NATO, including the day before we leave. How do we get ourselves into these situations! It was insane, last year, when I worked the day before we moved our stuff to Greg's parents. How's it gonna be working the day before we leave a CONTINENT! It will work out. There's just details we suddenly have to figure out NOW instead of 2 months or so from now. We're kind of wondering how to get rid of our stuff. That whole, "well, we need to sell our bed, but once it's sold, where are we suppose to sleep? how are we going to cook once we get rid of our kitchen stuff?" You know, all those wonders. We technically have people we could stay with, but situations like that get more complicated when you don't have a car. We have no idea where a dump is or if there is even a Goodwill type of store. Even if there was, people in Europe don't have trucks. What are we suppose to do if our stuff doesn't sell? We're hoping someone in church might just want it all and we could give it to them. We'll figure it out. The Lord will help us find the way. That's what I need to keep telling myself.

I was super excited to finish work and have at least 5 weeks off until we move back, but now I'll only have 5 days and it definitely won't be relaxing! I was so looking forward to being a bum! But now I just have to get a job again! Back to hair. For some reason, I just didn't think I'd do that again. I've been wondering so much where I'm going to work. I am NOT looking forward to having an employer again. I like working for myself. The whole plan has been in my head a LOT since I realized this is what's coming next. I keep wondering if I'll find a hip little salon, if my coworkers will be nice and if I'll even get clients! Thinking of ways to market myself, etc., etc. We'll see what happens. Thank goodness, I'm not worried about finding a job. There's ALWAYS openings for hairdressers. Now whether or not I make money . . . that's the question.

This awakening of time running out has really motivated us to get out and do more  with our friends! There are still things we haven't done around here! It's literally become a now or never situation! It makes me laugh because most of our wants revolve around FOOD! Last night at the grocery store we were looking around thinking, "What have we not tried . . ?" We're going out with friends to have African food tomorrow and, when we first moved here, we decided we have to have Creme Brulee and it still hasn't happened!

Despite all the things we'll miss, we are SO EXCITED to see family again! It will be so nice to be able to just pick up the phone and CALL SOMEONE instead of looking at the clock and figuring out, "Oh, it's 5am, I guess I have to wait a few more hours." As much as I like hearing the different languages and seeing so many different things, I am excited to just be COMFORTABLE again! Because sometimes when you fail to communicate or need to ask a question in french you just feel uncomfortable. It will be nice to be able to buy a movie ticket without worry and be able to read a coupon for the grocery store and just know how things work because I grew up there! I'm excited to have space! I'm excited to be able to rinse off a plate and stick it in the dishwasher instead of having to wash it again if I want to eat! I'm excited for a freezer! And a car! So, even though we are sad, there are some definite perks to going home. Greg is REALLY excited to climb Mount Rainier with his cousins. This trip has been planned for a year and he's been hoping and hoping he could make it and we'll fly home 5 days before.