A New Blog

As we end the Chilean chapter of our lives, and start anew in the states, I feel like a new blog is in order.

MamaSchick.blogspot.com

...continuing our story in a new location.

Adjusting - It's Harder than I Anticipated

It's hard to explain.

The emotions.

Things in Chile were harder, but harder became my normal. I was always in a state of anxiety - at least a little. When I left my house, I knew I would encounter spanish. I got to the point that I could wade my way through my normal tasks if everything went according to plan. Inevitably, something always went awry. I started to learn to roll with it. It got easier. BUT even with 'easier' there was a constant base of anxiety. When the phone rang, when the yard guys came, when we went to church functions. 

The best way to describe it is a low hum of uneasiness. Always. 

Even though I loved Chile, I was looking forward to getting back into the US and the normalcy. Looking forward to losing that hum.

Then we got here. 

Being home is overwhelming in so many ways. 

I expected to be overwhelmed with the house. I knew I would want to get through every single room and purge 80% of our belongings (living oversees really helps you prioritize your "stuff"). Surprisingly, the methodical tasks of sorting have been peaceful. Exhausting, but therapeutic. 

It's all the other "stuff" that is overwhelming. 

I don't want to leave my house. Not just yet. I'm not quite ready to take on this english-filled world. 

The english is fine - in small doses. 

When I am out and about, the amount of words that my brain understands is overwhelming. I went through the past year hearing sound around me, not words. Initially, it was overwhelming in and of itself, but eventually, that commotion was just noise. My brain learned to tune it out. Kind of like you normally do in the US. You walk through the store, and while there are people all around you speaking english, you don't try and make out every conversation. Upon returning to the states, I found my brain is constantly picking up on conversations and words all over the place. It's overwhelming. 

I also feel a little out of place. 

I sat in church Sunday and felt like I was looking in to a fish bowl. 

Everyone was the same. They sat in the same places, wore the same clothes, said the same things. It was all the same. Which should be comforting - but I feel so much different. SO much has happened. SO much has changed within me. This isn't my world anymore. 

I felt out of place. Awkward. My brain is telling me I belong here, but it doesn't feel like I do. I just wanted to go home. Chile home. 

Weird right? 

I don't really want to go back to Chile and live forever. I loved it there. I made some amazing friends. It changed my life in a way that nothing else could. 

I will miss it.

I will miss the people. I will miss the constant learning and experiencing new things. I will miss the challenge. 

I will miss our home overlooking the mountains. I will miss driving like I belong on the Indy 500. 

I will miss it all. 

After talking with a dear friend, who has done this more than once, I am assured that I will fit back in. I just have to give it some time and go at my own pace. 

I am eternally grateful for all that Chile taught me. For every single experience that it gave to my family.  

We have grown. Our minds have been opened to new experiences and new people. We have a better understanding of our world. We are closer as a family unit. 

We experienced first hand how the gospel blesses our lives and the lives of others in a very real way. We met people who have very few physical possessions yet are full of joy and grace, willing to share and give of what they have.

Chile changed us. I think for the better. 

But now it's time to find our way here. To remember those lessons we learned. To follow those examples of humility and grace. To be better people because of our experiences. We have Chile to thank for that. 

Besos Chile~

You will forever be in our hearts.

CHAO!

The BIG Move

Transitioning OUT of Chile went off without a hitch.

The check-out process with the property manager went smoother than expected. I had everything in the exact cabinet that was specified, grouped together, so that when she went through her checklist, it would be quick and efficient. I had broken a bowl and 2 cups, but she didn't act like that was a big deal and finished in 1 hour (she had planned 2).

We were packed completely by noon so at 1:00, Andrew and I went to our favorite sushi place, one last time, to get some takeout for lunch. The wait was long, but they brought us yummy Miso soup while we waited. It was perfect for the crisp, cold day. He and I were able to have a really good heart-to-heart about the exciting things that lay in store for him over the next few years. I enjoyed it. 

We took the dog on a few laps around the cul-de-sac to get his little legs tired before his long journey in a doggie carrier under our seats.

Our rides arrived and we filled 2 trucks with our 18 checked bags and 8 carryon. When we got to the airport, it took 3 baggage handlers to help us get checked in. Luckily, Greg and I are Priority members and we could skip the long lines. It took us about 30 minutes (and several thousands of dollars) to check in and we walked right up to the counter. 

We checked:

10 large camping duffle bags

1 snowboarding bag

1 ski bag

1 desktop computer

1 keyboard

1 DJ mix board

3 suitcases

Our carryon consisted of:

1. Alex's guitar

2. A large "purse" that held my huge ceramic bowl, laptop, iPad and carryon needs

3. A small suitcase full of XBox and PS3 plus their accessories

4. Greg's briefcase, including his laptop

5. An additional small suitcase with all my ceramic dishes (salsa bowl, red handmade bowls, etc)

6. A duffle bag for the kids' handheld electronics

7. A camera backpack

8. The dog in his bag

We were loaded down like pack horses.

Our biggest fear was the transition through customs when we first arrive into the US. You have to unload all your bags from the luggage carousel and then haul them to the next baggage drop off. We would also need to get the dog approved by customs while hauling all this crap. All in a span of 2 hours.

We had one airport baggage handler and his gigantic cart filled to the top with our duffle bags and suitcases. We had 2 carts loaded down with suitcases, boxes and carryon bags. We trucked through the airport in one oversized train. When we got to the area where they checked the dog, all they wanted to see was our paperwork and then just needed to "check to see that he's alive". Really? Who brings a dead dog? Whatever. Around more corners and through additional narrow halls (trying not to lose any bags off our carts), and we finally were able to unload everything at the baggage drop area. 

Things went so smoothly and we had plenty of time to change into summer clothes, brush our teeth and get some Cheetos before boarding our next flight. Greg took Scooter to the dog park at the airport and they were flagged by security on their way back in so it took them longer than intended, but we were still well within our 2 hour layover. Whew!

We arrived to Phoenix and all, but one, of our bags came out of the baggage carousel first. We counted and recounted - pulled out our luggage tags and counted again. Sure enough, we were short one suitcase. We waited and waited, and it finally came sliding down the conveyer belt. Yes! We made it all 25 bags, 1 dog, and 2 kids. We were home. 

We had 3 minivans arrive to take us home. It was nice to see friendly faces after that long trip. So good to see old friends. 

Our excitement was building as we drove the 15 minutes to our "new" old house. We had so much remodeling done following the water damage, that we were anxious to see all the changes. I was a little stressed (ok a lot stressed) about the mess we would be walking into with all of our crap. My mom nailed it when she said, "It's like you're moving into a new house where the previous family left all their stuff." EXACTLY! It had been stressing me out for weeks. 

Much to my mental and emotional relief, I walked into MY house. It was clean and orderly. Things were in their place save a few boxes neatly lining the walls. It was CLEAN! You have no idea what that felt like. It was such a huge relief. It made it feel like we were home. 

We walked through the house and were in awe with all the changes. Thank goodness for an amazing contractor. Remodeling a house from oversees is a little stressful. We had to take an attitude of 'it is what it is' and hope for the best. This turned out so much better than I even imagined. It is perfect!

Within minutes of us enjoying the peace and beauty in our "new" old home, all the luggage was hauled out of cars. Furniture was moved so that the bags could be sprawled out in the living room. Now it was crazy - but so very much LESS crazy than I envisioned. 

We enjoyed a take out lunch of In-and-Out Burger with friends at our house before heading out in search of new appliances. 

Delivery Drama

We spent the afternoon shopping for a new washer/dryer, refrigerator, mattress (for Andrew), dishwasher and TV. 

The only MUST have was the washer/dryer. They were ruined in the flood, but with all the unbelievable 4th of July appliance sales, and the ability we had to get the contractor discount with the number of items being purchased, we decided to go ahead and get everything. 

Everything was supposed to be delivered and installed on Friday - except the fridge which is currently on backorder. 

Friday arrives and the only thing delivered was the washer/dryer and mattress. 

Apparently, the TV install guy (who was also going to install our DirectTV) didn't make it in to work that day - can you say "4th of July hangover?". 

So no TV. They wanted to still deliver it, but after 2 rescheduled times of delivery, we told them to just wait until Monday when they would come and install. We were tired of waiting around. 

The new washer/dryer is stacked and looks great - BUT the dryer has a soft thumping sound each time the drum rotates. So they are sending out a repair guy. I'm not happy. I did not pay for a refurbished dryer - I paid for a new one. If they have to fix it before I can even really use it, then I think that they should give me a  fat discount. More to come about that drama.

The other item to actually arrive Friday was the mattress. Friday I spent the day sorting down the kids' rooms, and stuff was strung out all through the hallway - so we just had them leave the mattress/box springs in the hall downstairs. It's easy enough to get a twin bed moved ourselves. 

When we finally went to put them on the new bed frame, we realized that they had given us a normal twin mattress and an XL twin box spring. Annoying. 

We called and they told us they'd bring out one to exchange Monday. 

We found out that the dishwasher is apparently now on backorder as well. So we're waiting for it and the fridge. That isn't such a huge deal. The others work. I just don't want to do any major grocery shopping until after we get the new fridge. As of now, we continue to eat out or make quick fix meals. It's fine. I'm too mentally tired to make real food anyway.

Today (Monday) the TV and the install guys should come between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Greg will have them install not only the TV on the wall, but his surround sound and outdoor speakers. All of my boys (and their friends) are on pins and needles waiting for that TV. I think a new TV is awesome, but I really want to get my new fridge. Priorities :)

We did get the new closet installed in our Master Bedroom over the weekend. We bought the Ethan Allen system from Lowe's and Greg and I did it ourselves. It was very simple. The hardest part is determining the layout. We are impressed with how sturdy and solid it all seems. 

Today I am washing and hanging clothes. Finally, Greg and I can get out of duffle bags.

Little things that make it seem more like home. Next up is the kitchen - but as you can see, I'm stalling - just a little...

Hot and Cold

Today in Santiago: Pouring rain and 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit)

Today in Phoenix: Sunny and 48.9 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit)

Remind me WHY we decided to MOVE back to Phoenix in summer?

Hopefully Phoenix cools down as forecasted before we get there Tuesday. The shock to our systems might be a little much!

Really? A Dremel?

Went to get a mani/pedi and was reminded about another little peculiar thing here in Chile. They use a Dremel on your feet. Yep. One of these:

No, it's not a Dremel brand speciality tool designed for your feet. It's an actual Dremel. The kind you use for Pinewood Derby cars. As you can see pictured above, there are several "bits" to choose from.

My first experience with this torture machine was in October when I went to a German hair salon to get my hair cut/colored and innocently decided to get my nails done while I waited...

That German lady used the bit labeled as "C" above. It was HORRIFIC! It hurt! It felt like - like - like someone was freakin' using a DREMEL ON MY FOOT! 

Since then, I've gone to this little shop down the street from my house. They don't use a Dremel. I thought maybe it was just a crazy German thing. 

Nope. 

Went to new place last week and they used a Dremel too! This was much less painful however, because she used the "H" bit and kept my foot damp. Whenever it started to feel like my foot was about to catch on fire, she'd spray it down with water and go again. 

From the sounds of things, you'd think I have Flinstone like calluses on my feet. Let me assure you - I do not. Apparently, this is completely common. Everyone gets "Dremeled". 

Really? Yikes!

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Valle Nevado - One Last Time!

After a rainy weekend, Greg took a day off during his crazy wrapping things up before we go back to the states schedule, to take the boys up to Valle Nevado.

Andrew's friend Rick came along. Rickard is from Sweden, so he's right at home in the snow!

They said the day was perfect. Sunny and just below freezing. Untouched powder everywhere and vacant hills. It was a great last hoo-ra!

Alex

Rick & Andrew

Andrew

Rick and Andrew

Alex coming down

Lunch time

Rick, Andrew, & Alex

Andrew

Alex

Andrew, Greg, & Alex

Andrew, Alex and some friends coming down

Andrew

Friends catching some air

Andrew kickin' up some powder

Greg is always saying snowboarders spend most of their day on their bums

There's my main squeeze!

Each person came home with injuries. 

Greg rolled and slid down this really steep hill losing his skis and poles along the way. 

He's bruised and cut. 

Alex fell on his tailbone and Andrew took a couple good tumbles. 

Even with all the injuries, they had an amazing day! 

Preparing to go...

It's a crazy thing...leaving...

I think I am still in total denial. I am saying goodbye to friends as they head to the US for winter vacations while school breaks for a few weeks without really realizing that it is GOOD-BYE, good-bye. I can't imagine not having these people a part of my life.

I think I really don't believe it's good-bye, good-bye. I know that we'll stay in touch. We all live on the same side of the country. We're too close not to keep tabs on each other.

I'm pushing for a girls cruise in a couple of years when we're all back and settled. What a blast that would be! :-) A gringa cruise to Mexico - because you know, we are all so fluent in spanish...


High School finals finished up today. So that officially marks the end of our school year here. We have to go back on Wednesday to pick up the $50 yearbooks that weren't ready yet (so no friends signatures), but the real business of school has finally wrapped up. That is a huge weight off of our kids - so a huge weight off of me.

There have been a few going away parties to celebrate friends moving on. Some of my hermanas here in Chile:

Raquel 

Laura, Kristy, Elizabeth, Raquel, (friend), Gaby, me, Julie, Melissa

 Teresa

The wives of ME Elecmetal Grinding Media

More pictures to come...

Prom in Chile!

Andrew is a handsome young man and such a sweet kid. He has amazing friends and absolutely enjoyed his Junior Prom Night!

ok. I'm not sure if I'm almost in a wink here - or if my eye was twitching (it has been for weeks). Nothing like a little stress to make mom look goofy in photos. 

Regardless, that's my boy and I love him to pieces!

Andrew and Paula

Besties: 

Andrew, Paula, Isa, Derrik

The whole gang in front of the Hummer Limo

Ready for a night of fun!

Gearing up for Prom

First, I can't believe that I have a child that is old enough for prom. Not exactly sure when that happened. But I can tell you that I am so very super excited for him to have this experience.

Things are a little more low-key here at Nido. The kids dress up, but not quite as fancy. I've asked around. Apparently, dress slacks, white shirt and tie are great for the guys. I asked about flowers, and apparently Chileans haven't even heard of corsages. I could easily make one, but if the girls aren't wearing them, then his date won't want one either. 2 less things I have to worry about.

So to make it fun, Andrew and I researched a few ideas on how to ask her. We ended up coming up with our own little method.

He found out her class schedule for today and will give each of her teachers roses to give to her at the start of each class. Each bouquet will have a note attached that has a little clue.

We bought a dozen roses (6 rose/pink and 6 cream/white) greenery, and baby's breath. I bought the flowers Saturday evening and have stored them in water in our laundry room. It's pretty cool in there - almost as cold as a fridge. I needed them to last until Monday!

Last night I put together 5 flower bouquets. 

I created 4 small bouquets with 2 roses each and one larger with the remaining 4 roses. I couldn't wrap them up yet, because I needed to keep them in water. So this morning, before seminary, I had to put them all together. 

I wrapped the stems with wet paper towels, stuck that into a clear bag, then wrapped each boquet in white paper then an adorable green/white polka dot tissue. Tied them with a green ribbon and attached the little notes Andrew had prepared. 

She'll get one small bouquet from each teacher today and the larger one will be hand delivered by Andrew at the end of the school day. ADORABLE!

The notes read something like this:

1: I think you're beautiful

2: and your personality is really great

3: I can't wait for Prom

4: where you will be my date.

Seriously. I can not believe that I didn't get a photo of the flowers this morning.

So I've asked Andrew to keep me posted. 

1st Report:
I got the update before school that all flowers were delivered to all of her teachers. He left his final bouquet in his last class - math. So he wouldn't have to carry it around all day. 

Apparently, one of her friends saw him delivering it to one of her teachers. So she knows. He told her to keep it quiet. Hopefully nobody ruins the surprise. I told him to deny-deny-deny until the end of the day :)

2nd Report: 

1st bouquet of flowers delivered. He actually has the same class as her first period - choir - so he said he went to the bathroom so that he wouldn't have to be there when they were handed to her. He said he'd have given it away by his reaction. So fun!

3rd Report:
It's lunchtime and she still doesn't know! Only 1 class to go!

Final Report:
He waited outside of her math class as the bell rang. He was hidden from view because of lockers, so when she walked the other direction, he went behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned around he said, "It would be my honor to take you to prom" and gave her the final bouquet.

Paula said YES!

It's no surprise that the whole school is abuzz with the gesture. According to her math teacher, the entire staff at Nido were all waiting to see what the answer was. She said that this is the single nicest thing anyone has ever done for her.

I love how excited everyone is. Prom is exciting! They chatted a bit about plans and it looks as though he'll be helping her before hand with some decorating at the venue. What a fun night it will be.

More to come as plans continue to unfold...

Silly in Chile

The single thing that has gotten us through this entire adventure here in Santiago is laughter.

We laugh at ourselves - we laugh at each other - we laugh at all the crazy people around us. We laugh at the dogs running around the neighborhood. We crack up at the piles and piles of horse poo that are constantly in our neighborhood now that the wild horses have found our park. We laugh at my attempt to communicate with the nana, or when I tell the cashier "no" when she asks if I want to donate the change, which was like $.001 (or a half a penny). *Hey, I thought she was asking something else.

It's all pretty comical living down here. We also have ongoing movie and youtube video quotes flying around all the time. My boys recite these things word for word, out of nowhere, and finish each other's sentences. Scenes from Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail is a favorite.

Alex is quick to laugh and when he starts - we can't seem to stop ourselves from joining in. So Andrew likes to get him going. Just recently, he's starting making up jokes. Maybe they are not hilarious, but Alex will laugh AT Andrew trying to be funny - then we're all going.

guy 1: "So a rainbow colored manatee walks into a bar"

guy 2: "k."

guy 1: "And the bartender says..."

guy 2: "yeah?"

guy 1: "Oh, the Hue-Manatee!"

So hysterical Andrew... We all kind of sit there like, what? Then Alex starts giggling with a "what the heck Andrew?" and it's all over after that.

There has been an ongoing discussion by my seminary class about Axes vs. Hatches. Why not call them BOTH axes? asks one student. What? Because they're completely different! says the rest. On and on and on and on... boys. We then have our one girl student who adds, "umm... who cares?"

There's also comments that perhaps John was high when he wrote Revelations - Sigh... These kids are hilarious.

Life is crazy. It's full of things that might just make you pull your hair out - the only way I've found to combat all that frustration is to just laugh about it. Sometimes you have to cry first, but as long as you end up laughing in the end - then it's all good.

That's kind of how our adventure here in Chile has been. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions, but if we remember to laugh, it makes it all easier.

Happy Fall Ya'll

I have been eager to get out with my camera and capture some of these amazing fall colors before they disappear, so Greg took me around a little this afternoon.

I took a few along the walking path in our neighborhood.

The rest of the leave photos are of our adjoining neighbor's sweet little tree.

Her roses are still going strong even as the nights get cooler and cooler.

We don't have fall leaves in our yard - but we do have lots of beautiful things that remind me of fall.

We are especially enjoying autumn as we don't get to enjoy it in the Phoenix area. It's just another little part of our experience of living here in Chile.