First Day of School!!!

My babies are all grown up!  Nick was so excited to get to school today, he was up way before the alarm.  We took a taxi into school, and got there early.  The boys stayed in the Music Room for coloring and stuff, but Aubree was able to go to the "hang out" place for the upper grades.  Chris's teacher was one on duty this morning, so I didn't take him into class, but was able to get a picture of Chris and Mrs. Teeter before too many kids got there.  Nick thought that I would be satisfied with a quick hug at the bottom of the stairs and a "See you, Mom!"  Yeah, I wasn't.  Off he went up the stairs with me trailing behind.  I was able to get a picture of him with his teacher Miss Q before he got started on the Legos.  (As of yesterday he was the only boy in his class.)  I refrained from getting a picture of Aubree with Mr. Pilton.  He wasn't in the classroom when we got there, and there were some other girls already there, so I didn't even wait.  It's the first year I don't have a picture of her with her teacher.  I did get pictures before we left the house, though, so you can see how cute she looks on her first day of school.

Look what I bought today!!!

Ever since Mike started learning Macedonian, we heard how the produce is better in Macedonia.  The tomatoes are better, the fruit is fruitier, etc.  I have to tell you - I was skeptical, especially seeing the produce selection in the grocery store.  Plus, I'm not a tomato eater.  I have never liked the acidity, and usually end up with canker sores from them.  Well, we're in a new place, and we're trying new things, so I tried a tomato in a restaurant.  Oh. My. Goodness!!!  They were SO good!!!  I went to the green market today with a friend, and wished I had taken my camera.  You should see the size and beautiful color on the tomatoes here!  All the produce that is in season right now is big, and gorgeous, and fragrant, and smells SO good - and that's before we even tasted it!  The prices were incredible, and all marked, and if we didn't know the final price, the vendor would dig out his money and show us how much we owed.  Everyone was very friendly and patient with us, and more that willing to let us sample their wares.  There were things that I wanted to buy, but knowing I would be the only one to eat it, passed.  Melanie got a bunch of peppers for free, and I might try to steal one from her.  I came home and we had fresh fruit with our lunch.  The peaches are perfect and juicy.  The carrots are sweet and crunchy.  Melanie told me the melon is kind of like a honeydew, but with extra honey.  I can hardly wait to try it!  This is definitely going to be a weekly excursion!

Fruit and Veggies for this week

We're home!!!

We are finally into our home, and we have internet!!!  Thanks to a lot of work by several different people, we also have hot water!  We got out here from our temporary house yesterday afternoon and started getting settled.  This included rearranging furniture in 3 bedrooms, unpacking and putting away the contents of 15 suitcases and bags, and trying to cool the house off after the hottest day of the year.  It was up over 100.  I'm still trying to get used to air conditioning units in only bedrooms and the dining room.  None in the kitchen or bathrooms or basement.  We realized at about 8:30 that there was no water in the upstairs, and only trickles from the faucets downstairs.  A repairman came and managed to get us a trickle upstairs, but that trickle didn't include hot.  So, after cold showers this morning for me and Mike, another repairman came and determined it was the water pump and the landlord's responsibility.  The landlord showed up to look at things, then his son came so we could communicate.  Later on an electrician came and made a temporary fix, but it's enough that we actually have water pressure that includes both hot and cold!  The permanent fix will be done tomorrow.  We all really like the house, and the kids like their bedrooms.  Hopefully we can get some a/c in the basement to make it livable.  I love not living out of suitcases any more!!!  Granted, we don't have our hangers yet, but clothes are on shelves or in drawers.  It's nice.  I'm already picturing in my mind how we'll hang pictures, and incorporate our stuff that is on it's way.  And I'm hoping that all my kitchen stuff will fit in my kitchen.  It might be a tight fit, but I have lots of storage downstairs if nothing else.
We have started exploring, but that's a whole other post.  Overall, I still really like being here.  I will be very happy once I get my own car, but it's nice to be able to get the lay of the land with someone else driving.  The taxi drivers are all very nice, and Mike's Macedonian is improving as he speaks with them.  When Mike isn't with us, Nick keeps the driver entertained as he talks incessantly in the backseat.  It's funny watching their reactions to him.  So far, they've all been amused.

Dear Skopje,

I hope you don't think this is too forward of me, considering we just met, but... I like you.  A lot.  I hope that's okay.  You surprised me when I first stepped off the plane.  You have beautiful hills that I wasn't expecting.  Your weather is gorgeous.  Your people are friendly.  There are a few things that bug me a bit - everyone seems to smoke, and the old buildings are not the prettiest, but I expected that.  We ride in taxis everywhere, and they are inexpensive and clean with nice drivers.  I'm still getting used to your money.  I need to really figure it out so it doesn't feel like I'm using play money.  My whole family is looking forward to exploring more of you, and also your country.  I hope to take many pictures of you, as well.  I hope that's okay - I want to share you with the world!  I know that as we get to know each other better, we can become great friends.  I promise to look at you with an open mind, and hope you will forgive me if I offend you.  I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship.
Sincerely,
Jeanae

On the ground...

We landed in Vienna after a 10 hour flight. We were fed a yummy dinner of pasta or chicken, and even though we were in the back, there was still both options. The kids watched movies on their own sets, while I read and Mike played the DS. Of course, Nick made a friend on the plane, and he lives in our neighborhood! It's very difficult to sleep on a plane. In coach. When your body is telling you it is only 10, and you have been getting to bed after midnight for several weeks. Oh, and a baby is crying the whole flight. I think we all ended up sleeping almost 2 hours before we were awakened to eat breakfast! It was a bit strange having breakfast only a few hours after dinner. So here we are, sitting in Vienna at 9:15 in the morning, awaiting our flight to Skopje. More to come later!

So many changes...

and so few posts.  We leave the U. S. of A. in 2 days!  Can you believe it's gone so fast?  We were packed out last Tuesday.  I took tons of pictures to document the whole thing, but since we're working with Mike's laptop for the time being, I can't post them.  Our car left today.  We should see it in a couple months, hopefully in the same condition in which we sent it.  Mike is headed to the airport right now to get a rental that we'll use to help take us and our 10 checked bags and 8 carry-ons to the airport.  Luckily, our friend will drive our children, so we'll all get there.  Our bags are mostly packed.  I made Mike finally pack his stuff last night so we can see if everything fits without buying another suitcase.  It did!!!  I just don't think I could handle another purchase right now.  Suits are getting dry cleaned, and hair is being cut.  So many last minute things.  I finally realized I'm not going to have time during the day for a party, so we are celebrating Nick's birthday tonight with a few friends and cake.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can swim first.  Nick's birthday is the 11th, but we promised him long ago that we would have his party before we left.  That promise was made when we thought we were leaving on the 18th.  My child has a really terrific memory, so here we are having a party.  It should be fun.  Ummmmm...  I think that's about it.  E-mail me if you want our new address.  We have 2.  One is Postal Service, and the other is for UPS and FedEx.  I promise I will post after we get to Skopje.  Love you all!!!