Change: Round 3

It's official. We are culture-shock junkies.
Moving to Prague: Difficult.
Moving back to America: Challenging but refreshing.
Moving to Wisconsin: Crazy!

In approximately 4 days (Yes, FOUR days!!!) we will be an official family of cheeseheads. Sparing the insane details, Brandon has left his position at Black & Decker and accepted the position of Director of Motor Development for Milwaukee Power Tools. Feeling that life was getting just a little too boring in our barely-furnished 2-bedroom house in Towson, Maryland and realizing that "Heck, our possessions are still on a boat to America from Prague" we said, "Why Not?". Ok, so it didn't go exactly that way, but our interviewing trip to Brookfield, Wisconsin a week and a half ago came as close to a "beam of light from heaven" experience as we would've dared to expect. And since nobody is getting any younger, seeing the dear members of our family tree only 1x per year wasn't cutting it anymore.

Which explains the blog silence. We have been quite busy around here, preparing our house for sale and finding ourselves a bit overwhelmed with the prospect of moving again only 3 weeks after arriving Stateside.

Lydia was a bit apprehensive about moving to "'Sconsin", but after I assured her that there are lots of playgrounds, swimming pools and parks she quickly agreed that a new bike (yellow to be exact) is in order for all those bike trails and 'Sconsin could be a pretty nice place to live.

We're still not clear on when/if/how our things are getting from Maryland to Wisconsin. OR how our things are getting from Europe to Maryland to Wisconsin for that matter. But what fun is certainty anyway?!?

Super Speedy Scrubber -- Observations, cont.

8. That is one crazy fast washing machine experience! I load the washer, walk upstairs to comb my hair, come back downstairs, and voila! Clothes are washed! Oh, can it be?!? Complete washing and drying cycles in under 20 minutes?!? (Nina, it's amazing! I am always completely caught up on my laundry!!!) What will I do with those remaining 1-1/2 hours each day that were formerly occupied by dirty clothing?

Now, folding and ironing clothes is another matter. Somehow those duties run at an agonizingly slow pace, whether in America or Czech Republic. Some things never change....

Exploring, again.

It's a strange place to be. Back in our home country. Back in our same neighborhood. But sortof starting all over again.

We have to find the nearby playgrounds that didn't matter to us before we left since Lydia was just a year old. (For the record, we have found a couple but it's been so hot we haven't spent a lot of time at them). And since we had been living in a foreign country not speaking the language, hating the fact that we'd spend hours at the park surrounded by people yet completely alone since we couldn't communicate in each other's language, I just assumed we'd find the local playground which would (of course) be teeming with multitudes of other mommies and kids just longing for us to be their new friends/conversation partners/soul mates. "Suprisingly", that hasn't happened yet. Yes, I am largely blame -- still lacking in the the "Willing to Initiate Conversation with Strangers" department -- but it's amazing how I can still feel so alone, even when surrounded by native English speakers.

I have discovered that there are books out there on this subject. Think I'll order some today.

Handle With Care -- Observations, cont.

7. Toilet paper, toilet paper, oh so soft. For the most sensitive of fannies....

3rd Day Observations

1. Big cars. REALLY big and SHINY cars. Why are the cars so shiny?

2. Cold, cold drinks. Even without ice. Lydia was very taken aback by her first fountain drink from Burger King. With eyes watering: "It's vewy, vewy cold, Mommy!"

3. Overwhelming choices in unlimited size options. From laundry detergent to hairgel to breakfast cereal. Everything in small, medium and large. Very, very large.
(Can't breathe. Must... leave... store... now...)

4. Swirling toilet flushes that swirl for a long, long time.
(Good entertainment for Lydia)

5. Trash pickup was today. Picked up our two enormous overflowing trash cans plus the bag on the ground without batting an eye.
Mr. Garbage-Man Picker-Upper: You are my Great American Hero!

6. Dear America, there is a reason the car's cupholders are the size they are. It's because you should not have a cup that large!

Happy Birthday America!

Having been back in the U.S. of A only 2 days, and still feeling somewhat like we're just on vacation here, we were nevertheless happy to be back in time to celebrate the 4th for the first time since Lydia was only 6 months old. We had a really nice day, taking in a parade, grilling with friends and then another picnic with our neighbors. We opted out of fireworks due to bedtimes and jetlag recovering kids. It's a good thing since it's pouring down rain right now as I listen to the blasts in the nighttime sky.

The parade was basically a mixed bag of politicians in fancy cars, fire trucks and marching bands but the kids were impressed just the same. Parades seemed so much more lighthearted and fun in my good ol' childhood days. But smalltown Iowa parades, as opposed to the Maryland variety, DO have tractors, crazy guys in go-carts, clowns and far fewer politicians... and that makes all the difference in the world.

Brandon and I aren't sure how we feel. On one hand, completely at-home and at the same time strangely out-of-place. Maybe that feeling is magnified by the fact that we are still somewhat in life-out-of-suitcase mode. Who knows. But it sure is a strange feeling to wrestle with. But without a doubt, it's nice to be here to celebrate your birthday, America. And to our fellow Americans on this side of the Atlantic or the other... Happy 4th of July!!!


She's a grand ol' flag.




Marcus, if you're going to live in America, we'll need to work on your flag etiquette. Rule #1: The American flag is not to be eaten.

In-flight Cam

Sitting in a 2ft square space for 8 hours... WITH a lollipop and Nemo... what's NOT to love?!?


Brandon and the sassiest pen ever used to fill out a U.S customs form.


I call him the airline charmer, casting smiles to any passenger lucky enough to glance his way.

Parting shots

Bouncy balls are MUCH more fun when there is no furniture and nothing to break!

"Is everything shrinking or is this room getting bigger?!?!"


Curtains are quite entertaining after all of the toys have disappeared...

Transport Complete

We made it! And we passed with "flying" colors... (he he)

Yes, 8 checked suitcases each weighing slightly over 50 lb (you do the math) + 2 backpacks and 1 computer bag + baby in stroller + 3 yr old + dog = travelling circus sideshow. But I am happy to say we traversed the Atlantic, the airports and the 4 hour drive from NY to Maryland with no meltdowns ( by the children OR adults!). By the time we were home, our physiological clocks read 2 am but the kids were still doing amazingly well. We know there is no explanation other than that people were praying diligently for us and God answered in a mighty way!

Lydia was not convinced we were in America until we got to someplace with beds. Even after our arrival in NY, She kept asking "Are we going to America?" I would respond "Lydia, we ARE in America. It's a country, just like the Czech Republic is a country." And she responded "But there are no BEDS here!" Further backing to my belief that Lydia thinks America is only a hotel.

Our neighbor, Andrea, was our Welcome Wagon Angel; greeting us with smiles and hugs and stocking our house with necessities (and beautiful flowers!) for these critical first 24 hours.

We've already noticed MANY things about America that catch us off guard... but that's for another post.

So thanks to all who were praying for us... we are so very grateful.

We threw ourselves a welcome home party in the airport. One $5 balloon and the party was set.

Is it appropriate to ask for reimbursement from the company for our own "Welcome Home" balloon?