OK folks, we are back up and running again. Sorry. Let's see...where to begin.
The kids and I left Washington DC where we said goodbye to Mike who is already in Moldova. There were many sad goodbyes (one of which is pictured above). Both Sophia and Austin were just little babies when they met in Nairobi - now both will be embarking on kindergarten. Where does the time go?
Our first stop was Cincy. to see Mike's parents for a short visit and then we were off to our home away from home - my mom and dad's house. I have honestly lost count how many times we have needed to call it home. Our poor kids don't really have a clue where they live anymore.
As the night I returned home from DC I found out that the people who had "bought" our house (as a lease purchase) were no longer leasing nor purchasing the house. They wanted to break their lease 9 months early and were prepared for war to do so. The week that followed was a blur of e-mails and even a visit to a lawyer (all for the low, low price of $200/hr!!!). Our deadbeat tenants will be out of the house next week. We are still on the fence about what to do with the house (rent or sell). Each scenario has it's pros and cons and we just need to make a decision and stick with it. Seeing as all our stuff is in storage in Maryland and the market is soft now i'm thinking we may lean towards renting - but the rental market in Missouri can hardly be described as booming.
In other news, it looks like we are set to head to Moldova on June 9th. The best part is that I will have help getting over there. Mary Niles (teenage girl we met in Nairobi and has been a surrogate "big sister" ever since) is going to fly out with us and stay pretty much the entire summer. There are no words to describe how relieved I am not to have to take this trip by myself.
So for my remaining few days here in the states all I have to do inbetween getting pedicures and sipping cocktails is sell our minivan (craigslist st. louis) and our house (also craigslist).
Oh, how could I forget. Our big news this week was Anna's trip the the emergency room b/c for some reason known only to God, she decided it would be a good idea to eat money. She had an x-ray done which confirmed that it was in her stomach and not her esophagus (a good thing) and the Dr. told me to just watch her until it passes. There was some concern that b/c of her abdominal surgery at birth that it would get stuck in her intestines. But, I am happy to inform you all that within 24 hours out came one really shiny penny! Gotta love 2 year olds!!! You know that penny is going to have a place of honor at her wedding.
