I wouldn't change it for the world...

I am exhausted.  It is the first day of Spring Break and I already have sleep deprivation!  It has been a constant revolving door of boys at my house and I wouldn't have it any other way!  Friday night sleepovers lead to Saturday at the indoor pool; throw in a few games of bowling and a day out at the movies followed by yet another sleepover.

I woke last night to my oldest Expat and his friend trying ever so quietly to take a mattress up two flights of stairs.  I woke up early this morning to make pancakes and bacon, and I sit now and listen to hoops being played and laughter filling my house.  I wouldn't change this for the world!

I want to be the house that the kids come to!  I will cook for them, listen to them and cart them around to where they need to go.  For, far too quickly it is over and all I will be left with is the quiet and my memories of these days.

This video is an oldie but a goodie.  I watched and tears rolled down my face, for I realized that these days are truly "gifts" that I wouldn't change for the world!

"The Gift of the Ordinary Day"

where are you from?

"where are you from?"

the lady asked an easy question, didn't she? but what happened next is what happens a lot in the expat world.

"california" the oldest expat answered

the youngest expat just looked at me as if i should answer.

"where are you from?" i asked him.

"well, i was born in indiana, then i moved to california, then colorado for 6 months and now germany. i guess my home is here, or california?"

i couldn't answer her question, i really have no idea.

they say "home is where your heart is." my heart is in a lot of places. i am "from" colorado, but have lived all over america, and now we are in germany. every place that i have lived holds a special place in my heart.

i have cried many tears every time that i have moved. tears on my first move, the move from the state that my children were born.

the hardest move was from where my children spent most of their lives, and my last move away from my family, yet again.

when and if i move from germany there will be many tears, but i have learned one thing in all of these moves...i am from all of these places. each one has added to me and my family, and helped to build us all into the people that we are! so i guess the next time someone asks me "where are you from?" i will answer "denvindiacaligermany"