Nathan cracks me up in so many ways and one of the precious things he started doing while we were home was saying good-bye to everything. I'm sure that every kid goes through this phase, but afford me the opportunity to think mine's super cute since he's my first and it's my first good-bye phase experience :)
I think the first time we noticed it on furlough was when we told Nathan it was time to leave a playground that we were playing at, and although not happy about the having to leave, he started calling from his daddy's arms, bye slide... bye swing... bye (insert playground equipment, all the way down to the dirt :) He has kept this up and continues to do it even back here in Bolivia. It makes me smile, and helps avoid meltdowns when we have to leave a place he's enjoying so hey... I'm not complaining. But I thought in honor of Nathan and our one-week mark back in Cochabamba I would post a bye America list... the good, the bad and the ugly :) so hold on tight cause here we go...
- Bye Starbucks in all your glory... your coffee, your drive-thru, and your star employee Auntie Do-Do
- Bye Sonic... oh how we will miss your slushes and french fries
- Bye American roads and highways... oh how we will miss driving in an orderly world
- Bye frozen food section... oh how we will miss your chicken nuggets and Blue Bell ice cream
- Bye Wal-Mart and Target... although we were tired of making Wal-Mart runs at the end... it was so nice to have the convenience of everything in one place, under one orderly and clean roof!
- Bye church services that have an offered nursery or children's church to care for our very active two-year old little man
- Bye DVR... oh how we will miss the convenience of recording what we'd love to watch and enjoy it after said two year old is sleeping peacefully in his bed :)
- Bye produce section... although we loved not having to disinfect every morsel, you cannot hold a candle to the fresh fruits and veggies we've already enjoyed upon our return
- Bye other people's houses... and we say that with all the love and appreciation in the world for those who opened their homes and hearts to us... making us feel welcome and comfortable in ways we never imagined... but there is something to be said for being back in your own space
- Bye fast food... we loved your drive thrus and playgrounds, even if after an hour we remembered why we didn't eat you very often... oh the greasy aftermath feeling we will not miss :)
- Bye bath time... no worries, we haven't given up on bath time all together :) but it was so wonderful for almost three months to let Nathan get all pruny during bath time without a worry in the world that he would end his water play time with a new parasite.
- Bye consignment shops and hand-me-downs... what a blessing it was to have friends pass things on to us, since we're the only little boy on the team, hand-me-downs are few and far between :)
- Bye schedule driven life... we won't miss you at all :)
- Bye big kids who doted on Nathan and treated him like such a special little boy, he's going through detox of not having you around to play :)
- Bye family and friends... we will miss you most of all, the support you provide, the way you love on each of us, the rest and relaxation you gave to us was invaluable. We love you each more than you can know and will treasure the memories of our time back home while looking forward to the next time!
We have done the "bye" thing since Grace was little. I do think it works...we still use it in the Barbie isle at the store...we say, "Let's go say hello to Barbie and Elmo" and then we always so "bye" when we are done....
ReplyDeleteWe are so thankful that ya'll had the wonderful opportunity to come home and that we got to see you!! We are also so thankful for your safe return to Bolivia and can't wait for another visit...he can borrow the big bike next time!!!
We too have our bye list:
ReplyDeleteBye to Dora, Little Einsteins and the smell of coffee every morning.
Bye to a little voice saying "juice", "blanket" and "chairs".
Bye to corn dogs, chicken nuggets, Blue Bell and tater tots in our freezer.
Bye to fried okra at dinner meals.
Bye to num-nums, juice boxes, chocolate candy, salty peanuts and cashews in our pantry.
Bye to towers of blocks being toppled and scattering across our den floor.
Bye to "bubble blowing" time with Nana and Nathan in the backyard.
Bye to trips to the park to swing and play.
Bye to leaps of faith off the retaining wall.
Bye to soapbox derby sprints down the inclined driveway.
Bye to intrepid trike rides that end up in unexpected trips into the pool.
Bye to flying high on the makeshift swing in our back yard.
Bye to Gary and Papa hurling the giggling Nate-man skyward in a trampoline-sheet.
Bye to time spent eating, laughing and fellowshipping at our kitchen table.
Bye to family time and sweet hugs.
But we only say bye temporarily and not farewell.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Once again, it was good to get to visit with you during your visit to Brownwood. I know you're getting anxious for the hand-me-downs from Thomas to be put to use! And on another note..... Since you've admitted to being a lurker to our blog you need to put it on your "Blogs we love to read" list. Especially since the Reagans are on there and Marci hasn't updated hers in almost 5 months! :)
ReplyDeleteyour mom's comment made me cry. We too look forward to seeing you again!
ReplyDeleteYippie! Our blog is finally iternational!
ReplyDeletegood list . . .your mom's made me tear up more, though!! Glad you guys are settling in back at "home" and getting ready for the arrival of the new little man. Does he have a name, or is it secret? Blessings on you guys . .
ReplyDelete