It's been 4 years....since our life changed...the day we landed in England. For some reason it's a major moment of change for me. I was 20 weeks pregnant with Philip and we set off to be in another country for 3 years. Which seemed like FOREVER!! But we landed with high hopes for the future and lots of adventure. Got a whirlwind 'back roads' ride to Alconbury. (NEVER did that again too many roundabouts!!) Arrived at the base, met our sponsor and went to lunch. We were there a day before we found out that a good friend of ours from Scott was stationed there as well!! The 1st night was interesting, found out that there is a magial place called Tesco and KFC isn't worth eating!! But fate there was a McDonald's on the other side of the roundabout. Monday came, and I discovered that I could walk the entire base in 20 minutes!! Where was I?! The Commissary and BX were closed! And that the housing office wouldn't let me look at the house they wanted to give me....so we went off base. We looked at 2 houses, so did another family the exact 2 houses. They took the 1st one and we took the 2nd one we looked at. I think we instantly fell in love with 7! It had a space under the stairs (Like in Harry Potter!) a consevertory, 4 bedrooms (1 was a glorified closet, but it worked for an office and scrapbook room) a garage, a really nice (small) back garden with an apple tree, and the second I saw the room over the garage I saw my nursery!! I think so did Claire (the landlady) and Brent. It was great!! I missed my family everyday. I didn't have a way to get around, Brent worked 12 hour shifts and the fall in England the sun comes up at 8or so and goes down at 6, so not too much sun. That was hard, but when he came home it was just us and that was nice. I did manage to get in on the ESC meeting and meet some great girls!! Most of who are friends on myspace now!! And so, we would go to the Ford's house for football in the middle of the night on Sunday. And Thanksgiving came and went, Christmas, New Years, and then the big day when I woke up with the urge to pee and my water broke...Philip came. Mom was visiting for the birth. He came into our home with love and joy. Months passed, I got to know the neighbors and created a family. Then we got another wild hair and Michael came along. We lived life and didn't realize that time was passing. We went to London, Paris, Rome, all over England, saw wonderful theater! All of the joys babies were enjoyed in true slow motion. Little did I know that time was about to expire in England of us. We packed up and headed to Maryland. The bubble that I had lived in was about to pop. I think that's why I still miss it. It was a safe bubble for me, where my life really changed, I became a mommy there, I got used to the English way of rearing babies!! I miss the lack of choice and having to find something that will work just as well. And realizing that it's better. I missed being near family, but I found one there military and 'native'. Life there is just slower and not so commercial, it's great to not have all of the commercial places that we have here. Sure I missed going to a 'real' mall, but after 3 years of not living at one I don't even miss it. I know it's there but I don't have to go. I think England or the little crappy BX on base cured me of my shopping bug!! Don't get me wrong I still LOVE to get a good deal, I just realized that I don't NEED everything that I think I do. Just to enjoy the little things, like playing with a baby all day and hanging out with friends. So anyways.....we've been here for a year and I still miss it every day...I know that it wouldn't be the same if I went back because it was a moment in time that I cherished and look back on with longing.....and I can't get it back....I do have my 2 gifts from England that remind me every day of the wonderful time that we had there, Philip and Michael! I think it's so hard for me to let it go and move on because in way everything that I ever wanted to be happened there and I can't be there now. That's why I'm in turmoil now, I think. But I need to look at it with a happy heart and be thankful for having that experience. Take it and enjoy the pages that have been made and quit being sad for what was and love what is now. Not worry about what tommrow will be but be happy about today.
So, 4 years ago was the start of a journey that hasn't ended but will continue as long as the good Lord will let me! It won't always be in the same place (thank you Air Force) but I will always have the memories and people that I love along with me!
