Transitioning back

I've been missing in action on my blog for a few weeks.  I'm pretty sure you all know why, too.  We moved back to California, on May 26th!  After an unforgettable, life-changing experience in the Netherlands, we packed up our 7 suitcases and journeyed back to the land of sunshine.  (Disclaimer: may I just point out that although the Netherlands had many rainy/cloudy days, I was delighted to see so many sunny days mixed in there as well!).

Our last night, in front of our home in Kampen.

The kids buckled up in car seats, and our good friend Tom, ready to drive us to the airport.

Our actual journey was as uneventful as it should be.  We had a direct flight, leaving in the morning from Amsterdam, and getting us back to LA just before lunchtime on the same day (longest.day.ever).  The kids have never watched so many movies in one day as they did for this flight, but we were 100% okay with this because they were rockstar travelers as a result.  We were warmly greeted at the airport by some of our closest friends, who are also currently and graciously hosting us in their home, as we wait to move into our next place.

Countless thoughts and emotions come to the surface, as I sit down to write all that has gone on, along with all that continues to propel us forward.  I have kept up with my blog throughout our 9 month European adventure, so this post is not intended to "fill you in" on what life was like over there.  This post is intended to capture a glimpse into what it is like to transition back into life over here.

Let me just say, reverse culture shock is a real thing.  I was told about it; I was mentally gearing up for it; I felt ready to face it.  We were still hit by it.  Being away for 9 months changed our family in some pretty significant ways, many of which have become more apparent since our return to the States.  The first thing that struck us pretty hard was the materialism that envelopes our country.  While living in the Netherlands, we were able to embrace a more simplistic lifestyle, one that is naturally practiced over there.  It was a refreshing experience, and one we have hoped could somewhat be transferred to our life over here.  This is not going to be easy.  From the moment we arrived back home, we have been bombarded with merchants (in multiple forms) vying for our business, luring us to acquire more "stuff."  Quite frankly, it is been a sickening part of our transition.  As fun as it is to return to some of our favorite stores, which are open past 5pm, and on Sundays, we have found it to be difficult to mentally process the amount of "stuff" available to us in our society.  We have always known materialism to exist, but taking a step away from it all (okay, more like being an entire ocean away from it all), completely messes with the once callused viewpoint we had before we left.

The reverse culture shock has not entirely been a negative experience.  I think the most exciting, and obvious, aspect of our return so far, has been the language.  Hearing English speakers surrounding us throughout each day, has been very refreshing.  The first few days back, I was continuously pinching myself that I was able to fully comprehend the words I was hearing all around me.  I would not change a thing about our language experience this past year (with the exception of the wishing I had had an easier time learning the language); Maddie is the perfect example.  Her ability to learn and implement the Dutch language was highly impressive and we were so very grateful to give her that opportunity.  But returning to our country, where I can "small talk" with strangers in the store or at a park, and understand the words being spoken over the radio, is nothing short of awesome.

Finally, the welcome we have received since our return has been incredible.  There were many times while living in Kampen, where loneliness struck pretty hard.  In some ways, it was a good practice for me, to fine tune other aspects of my personal life and not always depend on social interaction to fill in the gaps.  However, being an extreme extrovert, it has been wonderful to be able to reconnect with so many of our closest friends - whether in person, or over the phone because we are in the same time zone!  Our kids have also welcomed with open arms, the multitude of play dates and birthday parties that have been scattered across the past 3 weeks.  It has been so great to see them reunite with old friends who still remember them, and watch as they play make-believe, because they are able to understand the language and take that element of "play" to the next level.  Maddie continues to deeply miss her friends in Kampen (as we all do), but has been thrilled to see all of her friends out here.  We will also be traveling up to Oregon in a few weeks to reunite with our family, which is going to be a tremendous treat for all of us.

As I make my way through this transition, a word that continues to cross the forefront of my mind is grace.  And this has not been an easy thing for me to give at all times, but I must.  Grace; for our kids, as they express frustration over the fact that they cannot play with their old toys because they are packed away in some box, and are unavailable until after our move.  Grace; for my husband, as he navigates through the difficult task of juggling and balancing full-time work, with being a dad, a husband, a friend, and continuing on with researching and writing his dissertation.  Grace; for myself, as I continue to grasp all the changes occurring in our family through this transition, and discover what new things this change is going to bring me.  And so, I want to ask the same thing of all of you, to extend grace to our family.  Grace, as we figure out our new life and adjust back into the culture.  Grace; for the times when we need space to process the experience we have had.  Grace; for the opportunities we will need to process our experience with you.  Grace; for the times we might talk about the Netherlands "too much."  Grace; as we make the connections that we are not the only ones who have had changes and lived life over the past 9 months; you all have too.

Our 9 months living abroad was life-changing, no doubt about it.  We would not change a thing about our experience, and will be forever grateful for the gift it was to live life in another country as a family.  Equally so, we are thrilled to be back in America, reunited with family and friends, and creating our new life in Southern California.  The transition will continue on, but I know we will come out stronger from all of it.

Our little family on the day of our return; bigger, stronger, and forever changed from our cross-cultural experience.