"Home"

On Monday our house will begin its transformation into our home. "Home" has taken on a new meaning to me over the last 2 years. I've decided it is not a certain location but where I find me and my husband in the same place at the same time (well, I should say where I find me and my husband in the same place some or most of the time depending on his travel schedule). That aside, we have spent the last 5 weeks with our clothes and a few pieces of rental furniture in a beautiful, empty apartment and it will be nice to have some of our own things.

It's been interesting. While we were still in Singapore they told us our things might not arrive until November depending on our visa approval. I had a good pregnant woman cry when I heard this because it dashed a few of my dreams of setting up the nursery and I thought of trying to get things in order with an infant around. Not ideal. Then I got over it. The baby wouldn't know any better and some things are just out of my control. I would have to make it work. Thankfully, our visas were approved rather quickly and our things were cleared to leave Singapore around the same time we left. They have been on a ship ever since and our ship has come in!!!

I have thought a lot about how people in the world live with a lot less than what we currently have: a bed, a couch, a tv, some dishes and a few lamps. I just can't complain. But I have to say, it will be refreshing to finally sleep in my own bed with my own pillows (because ladies in their 9th month of pregnancy need a lot of pillows!). I'm excited to see the nursery come together and to hang pictures on the walls knowing that for however long we are in Switzerland, this is where our family will make some wonderful memories.

This will be the place we call home and for the first time it will be as a family of 3. That alone makes this home the best one we've ever had! :-)

Move #2: Switzerland

We've successfully completed move #2. Well, almost. Our belongings are still on a ship somewhere on the sea and (keeping all fingers crossed) will be delivered to us the first week of October.

I remember first moving to Singapore and really experiencing culture shock. Everything seemed completely foreign. The weather was hot and humid and Asian culture was very different from anything I'd experienced. However, everything was in English and everyone spoke English. Now in Switzerland, the culture is very similar to the US but everything is in German and you hope with all hope that someone behind the counter will speak English in whatever store you're in. We already had mail in our mailbox when we arrived but it was all in German. I had my first German lesson on Friday and oh boy. This will definitely be interesting.

Leaving Singapore was tough. I learned a lot about myself and was able to explore a part of the world that I never imagined I'd go. I met friends who I will treasure forever and who taught me so much about being a wife, a mom and an individual. Singapore will always have a special place in my heart.

Now it's time to move on to a new journey. I know it will bring new excitement and challenges. Especially now that in 8 weeks we will add our little bundle of joy to the Johnson clan. I'm hoping for a wonderful experience and I look forward to all that Europe has to teach me!