The Roman River

Sometimes I still can’t believe this whole Rome adventure we’re on. Yesterday, I sat with Jen in the mall at McDonalds with a two- year old, one- year old and 8-month-old. Jen commented that our life felt pretty nutty at that moment and I agreed..…… in a mall, in Rome, with three babies, at McDonalds. This script couldn’t have been written by us, rather God has a plan and we’re believing good things are happening in us and through us—even in the very random moments of the day.

These last couple of weeks have felt more settled. We have a routine with school for the older kids and Truman started daycare for three days a week at the WFP Montessori. Usually we wake up around 6:30am, kids up by 7am, they eat, get dressed, make beds, brush hair and teeth, and they’re out the door by 7:45am to be at school by 8am. It’s nice we live so close to school and we’ll continue to be close in our new apartment that we’ll take possession of on November 1.

Finding an apartment with four bedrooms in Rome has proven to be a task, but we got one! It can actually work into a five bedroom, which is great for when we have guests. Originally, we had hoped for a big villa with a yard and lots of rooms, but the location of most villas are too far away from school and pretty secluded. We quickly realized there are more advantages to living in an apartment near the school. Additionally, we live near a little lake with a park and activities over the weekend. It’s quite fun for families and the open space is welcome in this building-packed city.

EUR (A-or) is the name of our area, it’s about five miles from the city center (Vatican area). It doesn’t look like “Rome” because we’re in a suburb. At times I wish we were in the city center, but it makes more sense for us to be near David’s work and the kid's school. We’ll continue to venture into the city over the weekends and for events. Plus, Jen and I will get to explore more in the week since Truman is in school now(3 days a week)—packing Quincy along is easy for now.

The kids are doing great at Highlands, (the Italian school). At first, Lyndsey was having a hard time. Last week, she had a major meltdown. I had to stay at school with one of the counselors to help her transition into class for the day. It was heartbreaking, but it led to a conversation about bravery and courage. We talked about choosing to walk thru hard things in spite of our fear. I let her know that I was just as scared as she and we both have the opportunity to challenge ourselves and continue to push through the language barrier and newness of this country. I may have even inspired myself. J

In the end, she was still crying and they had to pry her off of me as I ran out the school doors. My insides were melting with sadness for her, but I felt leaving would help her. It was heart wrenching. On my walk home, I started considering other schools for her to attend since she was clearly not doing well.

When I got home, Jen and I prayed and let me tell you, God heard us!  When I picked Lyndsey up from school she said she had the best day since she’s been in Italy. It was obvious she was proud of her bravery and she had made new friends. That evening at the dinner table she said “God did a miracle today….. he did a miracle in my heart.”  Lyndsey felt how much God loves her and she hasn’t had an issue with school since then. In fact, she’s almost excited for school in the morning. No complaining at all! Its quite miraculous in my book. I still want to cry just thinking about how God had shown himself to her and our family.

This whole move has been like panning for gold. I feel like we’ve dipped our pan into a new promising river and we’re shaking all this dirt and water around in our pans believing we’ll get gold nuggets.  Lyndsey’s nugget was big, beautiful, and very valuable! I’m sure she’ll find many more- maybe not as obvious or large, but she’ll get more.  

Each day I plunge my pan into this river and after swirling my dirt and water, I always find gold nuggets by the end of the day. They look a little different from Lyndsey’s nugget, maybe not as big and shining, but they’re dense and weighty usually containing lessons of courage, bravery, hope, persistence and boldness. Even in driving around Rome, I am learning something about myself and how I interact with this world. I already know I have been changed for the better from this experience. I have new tools in my tool belt and I'm excited to become more acquainted with them. 

More lessons learned in Rome in future blogs. J

 Lyndsey and her new friend, Frederica.

 At the hospital- waiting for x-ray results.

 After the hospital trip, we walked across the street to the Appia and found this amazing park.

 The new normal- amazing art and history everywhere we go.

 Quincy is 8 months old!

Our crazy mall experience. We had Gwenaelle with us too because her momma (Amanda) was sick. Amanda and Gautier Ferran are in Rome too- they're friends from DC and were neighbors with Jen. We get together regularly with them and a handful of others who are here connected to the WFP. 

First Weeks Braving Rome

We’ve been in full swing over here in Rome. Sight-seeing, school, making Italian friends, house-hunting, van-hunting and so much more.  So far, we've each eaten our weight in gelato and put away our fair share of pizza, pasta and wine. Teehee! We’ve seen the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Circus Maximus, Spanish steps, Vatican and Pantheon. I love that we can just pop down to city center, which is about 5 miles away and quickly look around, knowing we'll return for more in-depth visits in the future (after tourist season). 

The kids started Italian school and they’re doing well considering all the big changes and new language. I wish I could be a fly on the wall in their classrooms to observe them as their teachers speak in Italian. Thankfully, their school has an emphasis on learning English, so they get a little help through that teacher. Surprisingly, Lyndsey has been having the hardest time of the kids. Please pray for her. We thought her engaging and social ways would work well in Italian school, but I actually think she finds it so hard to use those gifts with the language barrier. It breaks my heart to see her struggling. Over the next week, we’ll have an Italian tutor to accompany the kids to school for translation. We’ve heard after a few months, the kids usually start speaking and understanding the language better. Our hope is that Lyndsey and the others will forge through this initial hardship. 

Our apartment is about one mile from school, which is convenient since we’ve been car-less. Usually the kids take a taxi in the morning with David and I walk to pick them up in the in afternoon. I’m getting good exercise, which is needed considering all the gelato. We walk everywhere- to the grocery, store, restaurants, shopping and park-  I really enjoy all the walking. 

The grocery shopping has been quite the experience- let’s just say, we go to the store at least once a day. A family of seven, plus Jen, cannot survive on the 1 liter milk sizes or the miniture yogurt pints. Additionally, the refrigerator size is about the size of my college dorm room refrigerator, so buying a lot of anything for the fridge isn't an option. I knew I’d miss Costco but believe me, I REALLY miss Costco. Jen and I joke about how our lives are full of grocery shopping and laundry. The laundry is another force to be reckoned with--Without Jen’s faithful commitment to laundry I’d be a wreck. We basically have a mini washer and that’s it. No dryer. What the heck?! A family of eight simply should not be without a cloths dryer, especially when the kids are seven and under. We’re praying our long-term apartment (yet to be found) will permit a clothes-dryer. P.S. Did I mention Jen is amazing!? We couldn’t survive with out her. 

A new paragraph is required for Jen. She has been my personal life-saver, an embracing friend, a dependable helper, and a great playmate. We want to keep her forever. She has walked into our family and handled the transition so well. Going from the life of single-ness to a life with five kids and two exhausted parents is no easy feat. We’re so grateful for her fortitude and loving-kindness to our family. Hugs to Jen and please say a prayer for her as she also is trying to get her nursing license transferred to Italy. 

For those of you who pray for my mom, thank you. She is doing better, not great, but better. It may be possible her high heart rate and other symptoms came from the treatment, but who really knows? Her body has been through a lot over the years and it’s all so unclear, but we’re grateful she is on the mend. 

There is so much more to write, but I am going to post this or I may never get around to it! (I’ve been working on this post for a couple weeks). Blogging has proven to be just another way to fail at social media. :) I’ll try to post simple, small blogs— let’s see how that goes.

 I love the flowers in this pic!

This is suppose to be a photo of the area where we live- EUR. David took the shot standing in front of the church doors.

Nevermind the stains all over her shirt. ;) This is the church near our home. The kids love running up and down the steps. 

This is some building built during Mussolini time

Charlie's Colosseum drawing.

 Steps leading to the church near our apartment.

 First day of school

 Lyndsey looking at the Vatican

Lyndsey looks like she likes school here, but we know better. 

Me, Jen, Robin, Lisa and Erika- a fun lunch in Trastevere.

 All the kids walk out in a line and are dismissed to their parents- it's quite a fiasco.

Update on My Mom

Sorry to not update regularly--lots going on as we adjust to our new life in Italy (hopefully, an update on that tomorrow). I've had a lot of questions about my mom, so I wanted to send a quick update.

Yesterday evening she was released from the hospital, but she still isn't doing well. She's in pain, wearing an ice pack on her chest and feeling physically out of sorts. She's not eating much and she's already so thin, so pray that her appetite is restored.

Next week, she'll go to UCSF where she will meet with her doctors who have been monitoring her carcinoid cancer for several years. She's also in a clinical study and has a few more treatments left, but most likely will not continue with those. As I write, she is finishing up some scans and will be going to some other appointments to gather more info for the UCSF doctors. They will access the best course of action for her.

Please continue to pray for her heart to be lifted, for her to pain to be relieved and for a treatment that works. She's been fighting for many years and its so hard for her to be under physical stress for so long. Please pray for her body to regain strength.

Mom, you have a team rooting for you! Hugs!

Please pray for my mom

This week has been a whirlwind- lots has happened, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I wish I had time to write about all those aspects in depth, but reality calls, especially as I hear my two-year old whining to get out of bed with assistance and acknowledgement of his wakefulness. I'll write more about the first week later...hopefully.

I am writing to ask for your prayers for my mom. She is in the hospital and not doing well. Her heart rate is high, causing her chest pain, which exacerbates the cancer in her body. Her spirit is also low and that makes me the most sad and concerned. Please say a prayer for her- that her HR would normalize and that God would pull her from the pit she's in. If you know her, reach out and tell her you love her. I know she's reading this and doesn't want to "burden" anyone, but we all know she's a gift not a burden. Pray that God would help her to know her belovedness.

We moved to Rome, Italy!

Ideally, I'd sit and write about all that has happened since my last post in 2013, but I'll suffice to write that we have five kids and yesterday we moved to Rome, Italy! So, in the words of Sweet Georgia Brown (youtube it), "Ain't nobody got time for that"- :)

Currently, I'm alone in my new kitchen because everyone is jet-lagged and still asleep, which is well- received by me because I get a little alone time to write and reflect on the last couple days. Our lives have been very full these last few weeks and I'm all together exhausted and grateful. After packing and saying goodbyes to our dearest family and friends, we are in Rome. Honestly, the only thing I have seen is the green ivy on concrete growing outside my kitchen window. I hear the horns honk, a buzzing refrigerator, my kids talking in their sleep and my fingers typing. So far, not all that different, but in my core, adventure is beckoning and I'm eager for this first day to begin.....after I blog.

We were sent off on September 5, 2017. The Macklins, Laceys and McMinn's arrived at our house at 8pm to load our stuff, which consisted of 8 huge boxes of luggage, 8 suitcases, 8 carry-ons,  8 personal items, two pack and plays, two strollers and three carseats. We had a caravan of three vehicles, one of which pulled a trailer full of luggage. It was quite amazing and our dear friends did an amazing job of arranging our transportation. Unbelievable! I drove with Amy and Sharon in a car to the airport and it felt so normal, but I felt it all ending (at least for two years) and I don't even know how to express how something so normal was literally driving away. Each mile to the airport felt like an ending and a beginning that exemplified everything I was feeling- it's all so bittersweet.

When we arrived at the airport, we were greeted (surprised) by even more fabulous friends. Mia, Carolyn and Nancy were there to give us hugs, say goodbyes and send us off. We truly felt "sent" by all our dear friends in Portland. There were a lot of tears and hugs and promises to visit, which I will hold everyone to! After all our luggage was unloaded, which happened quite quickly and smoothly, we pulled our carry-ons down the terminal and waved goodbye one last time.

Our kids were friggin' rockstars thru the entire travel! We went through security, wheeled our luggage to the gate and eagerly waited. Honestly, I cannot even recall what the gate looked like in my head, nor do I remember boarding the plane. Weird. In any case, we boarded and had the privilege of being in business class! It was deluxe and ruined every flight that will ever be had again! We basically ate and slept our way to Frankfurt. Quincy, our 6 month-old slept the whole way!!!! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow! Seriously, the flight was a dream.

Sadly, it came to a screaming halt when we arrived in Frankfurt. We walked off the plane to find our gate-checked strollers would not be coming back up to the gate, rather they were checked all the way to Rome. In other words, it's good we were going to get them back in Rome, but it's very bad that we didn't have our strollers at the gate because we had three adults, five kids and essentially 16 bags of carry-on luggage. Frick! That's a lot of luggage without a stroller to wheel it on. David, Jen and I were toting kids and 16 bags of luggage through the Frankfurt airport, which proved to by quite the workout. And let's just say that Germans are not known for their hospitality or eagerness to engage. Thankfully, we confiscated a wheel chair in customs and piled luggage on it. They tried to take it from us in security, but David wrestled the lady (not really, but he would've) because he knew we wouldn't make the 1.5 miles walk thru the airport without it. (I'd also want to give a shout-out to Jen because we couldn't have done this flight without her- she's been HUGE in this transition).

Our 1.5 hour flight from Germany to Italy was easy-peasy and we were greeted at the jet-way by WFP airport attendants (they were so friendly and warm), who helped with our luggage and travel from the airport to our apartment. It was a super smooth transition. We were also greeted by Robin O'Briske, a familiar face from D.C. and from Chico, CA-- she is working at the WFP in the same office as David. I felt like crying because she was a "known" and immediately embraced us, helping us with the kids and moving us along. She also had stocked our fridge with essentials and has been such a support on this side of the world. *Sigh* Thanks, Robin and thanks, Lord!

As I wrap up for now, I hear rumblings of little people. I need to write more about the days before our departure because they were incredible, but for now I wanted to write about our safe arrival.

We're really grateful for all who helped to orchestrate such a smooth transition. You know who you are and we love you!