Reunited and it feels so good

After the worst 24 hours of traveling I've ever endured, we arrived on home soil for a summer of friends, family, and fun.

Here's the current shortlist of things I love about America:

So organized, clean, well maintained (even in underprivileged areas); Free wifi EVERYWHERE; Restaurant variety/fresh ideas/awesomeness; Great smooth roads/driving is a dream; AAA; 24 hour stuff; Customer service; The shopping!

Hanging out at the Homewood Suites

Independence Day Picnic

I would just like to point out that we never tried this hard to look patriotic when we were stateside. There's something about being this far abroad that makes you want to flaunt your American-ness, something I would have thought myself loathe to do. We attended a work picnic in which Americans were outnumbered 3 to 1. Yet there we were together, celebrating a most American holiday. It was . . . different.

The Elders

The Elders (plus hubby)

 Lending a hand on moving day

We were blessed with true friends our first Sunday in Georgia, and we've had a standing weekly dinner appointment with them ever since. There are ten young Latter-day Saint missionaries in the Republic of Georgia, and we love every one of them. Six are in our branch, and another four are in a "group" (the designation for a church unit too small to be a branch) south of Tbilisi. These cheerful, hard-working, long-suffering souls inspire us. We also have a senior missionary couple in the branch (read: surrogate grandparents) we couldn't live without. We've seen a few missionaries return home now, and it's always a bittersweet affair. Our time in Georgia has been immeasurably better thanks to their friendship.

Taking stock

Today marks six months in the country, a good time to take stock of things.

Favorite thing about Georgian life:

Mom: The food! Delicious, unadulterated, locally sourced and fresh
Dad: The chance to learn in depth an otherwise obscure language
Oldest: DT (our former driver) & school friends
Middle: Shashlik (grilled skewered meat)
Little guy: Feral dogs/cats everywhere

Worst thing about Georgian life:

Mom: Georgian inability to wait in line(s)
Dad: Seeing a developing nation struggle to accept sovereignty and freedom
Oldest: Smoking everywhere
Middle: Ditto
Little guy: Strangers' keen interest in and over-friendliness toward babies

Most commonly heard phrases:

Mom: (first 3 months) "What?!"; (last 3 months) "It is what it is."
Dad: "You know, you really gotta do loads constantly if you wanna keep up with this laundry."
Oldest: "I can't wait to get baptized." / "Can we start planning my birthday yet?"
Middle: "Can I play on the iPad?"
Little guy: "Bah."

Biggest surprise after six months:

Mom: My children can actually speak French
Dad: That we would move again so soon (to an apartment)
Oldest: Some people at school speak English
Middle: There are no school busses
Little guy: All the good stuff happens during nap time

Delay

At some point during our move I placed my camera cord and external hard drive together in a very special place that for one month now I have not been able to determine. That means the only photos I've been able to post are grainy self portraits, taken on the iPad. We are close to finished unpacking, but as often happens, life gets busy, children need attention, and organizing the final bits gets postponed. I think I know where 90% of my stuff is, but sadly that cord remains elusive. I hope to be up and running again soon.