Aug 11, 2010

Three Little Days

In 3 little days we and 3 little boys move from Kansas to Washington DC.

Jerry and I thought our roots were here. We built our house and planted trees and a garden. Three wild grape vines have taken over parts of our fence. The Kentucky coffee trees are huge now. I planted a rose bush that never did much, except there were 3 plump roses just blossomed on the day we received our adoption referral. Drops of my sweat are sealed into the wood stain. Jerry killed his back with drywall. But in 3 days we leave behind a house empty of people. I think it will sag with silence and neglect.

We leave a house, but it's still ours. We leave our jobs, but they'll be here. I leave my career temporarily (temporarily!) to stay home, Jerry begins again with the Feds. For one year we are city people in the Nation's capitol. Who knows after that . . . a return to home base? Stay? Off to another adventure?

It's a mixed bag. Excitement, romance, melancholy, wonderment. We're up for anything . . . I'll miss my dance classes, my little community of friends, co-workers and even acquaintances, and the biggest loss, our yard -- the place where wild things run free -- but surly I will find replacements. And thank you gods, we found a row house with a decently sized fenced in yard (a few midnight panic attacks -- kids, dogs, cats, no yard, no freakin way -- focused my house hunting energies!) and our new community is a place of groove and racially rich. May the gods be with us and the dollar thrive.

33 comments:

Rachel said...

So exciting that we will be just 90 miles from the incredible, world-famous triplets:-) You'll love D.C.!

Mark and Sarah said...

I love DC, and am very excited for your family. I'm hopeful you'll continue to blog so we can follow along on where life takes you five!

Sarah

Evelyn said...

Oh, how I love DC. I hope the transition goes smoothly and look forward to hearing how it feels to live in the city with your boys!

Sha Zam- said...

I can't believe it! Congratulations on this new adventure!

rebekah said...

I am looking forward to hearing of new adventures in the big city.

And I'm wondering, will you be surly when you search for replacements, or will the replacements be surly?

ts said...

This will be such a amazing time for all of you! And when you're ready to return back home it will be so lovely to see it all with new eyes.

Jennifer said...

Ahhh I am wishing you luck! You have three of the cutest kiddos, and I was in OH last week talking all about them from what I read on the blog. I bet they will love D.C.

Keep posting and let everyone know how the adjustment goes there. :-)

jayme said...

What an exciting change of pace this move will be for all of you! May everything go smoothly and may the upcoming year bring adventures beyond your wildest dreams!

M and M said...

Farout!
So so so exciting exciting exciting. I can't wait to hear about your time in D.C. (Go and visit Lost Planet if you need a whole lotta nature fix!)

Heather said...

Hi! I only recently started reading your blog (or blogs in general, really) but I wanted to say, "Welcome to D.C.!" Husband and I moved to the D.C. metro area from St. Louis a couple of years ago. We are currently considering adopting from Ethiopia (hence, finding your blog). If I can do anything to help out, just let me know. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Candis said...

I, for one, will certainly miss your great shots of the boys in their BIG back yard. Hope your new journey is fruitful and that you continue to share your lives with us out here in the blogosphere.

From one adoptive mom of a son (albeit from Haiti) to another (of triplet sons of Ethiopia, best wishes.

Candis

Cindy said...

Ahh, how I do love my readers! :) Oh, the "shots in their big back yard", don't get my tears running!

Rebecca, argh, you noticed my problems spelling what surely isn't surly (or surley is how I want to spell it). ;)

Leslie said...

Wow, I've been reading your blog for 2 years now. I can't believe that now we will both be living in VA. Can't wait to see the new pictures of your country boys in the big city. What an exciting time for everyone!! <uch luck to you and the family!!

Leslie from Blacksburg, VA

Paula said...

Oh, good luck! The first 12 years we were married, we moved all over the place, on both coasts and places in between. We've been here in Nebraska for 12 years now, and I couldn't even contemplate moving! But it is an adventure, and I think it will be nice for you to live in such a diverse city with the boys. And way to go on finding the fenced in yard! Truly a coup!

Lori S said...

Just checked your blog after a long time of not blogging! So sad to hear you're moving, but also excited for you!! Your boys are so adorable!! My kids enjoyed meeting them last year at the E. New Years celebration! I hope and pray the move goes well!

Stacy said...

wow! Have a grand adventure!!!! You just have a different big back yard now, and I am sure your boys will thrive wherever they are planted.

Julie said...

Somehow it makes me feel better knowing you five will be helping the federal government. You GO! Have fun! Write when you get work! Don't forget the little people!

Mama Papaya said...

Better late than never wishes of grand adventures. Happy trails until you post again.

Kathy E. said...

We are very excited for you all. Perhaps we'll make it out to "the other Washington" for a long-over-due visit. Hugs to the whole gang from the Washington crew. Kathy, Shane and kids

Kristine said...

Hey, welcome to DC, first as a fellow parent who has adopted as from Ethiopia (I have a boy who is almost 2), second as a fellow Fed government employee, and oh, as a fellow RPCV!!! I've been reading your blog for over two years and I'm so excited that your whole family is coming to DC. As you may know, DC has one of the highest population of Ethiopians in the country, so there will be many opportunities for exposure to Ethiopian culture. Plus there are a lot of Ethiopian adoptive families in the area, too. If you are interested in getting together with other Ethio-blended families, check out the Mid-Atlantic Ethiopian Adoption Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midatlanticethiopianadoption/

Peace and blessings,
Kristine

Cami said...

Very exciting! I really enjoy your blog so look forward to your posts about your new life in D.C. It's a great city! Best wishes.

Mike said...

I am writing to ask for your permission to include your posts on AdoptionExperiences.com and include a link to your blog in our
directory. We would
include a link back to your blog fully crediting you for your work
along with a profile about you listed on AdoptionExperiences.com .
Please let us
know as soon as possible.

Mike@adoptionexperiences.com

Mike Thomas
Editor-in-Chief
AdoptionExperiences.com

Zora said...

I concur with others that comfort abounds that your family of 5 (plus furries) will inhabit the nation's capital. Wondrous news! I'm sure the groove and diversity of DC will be a welcome change. Happy trails!

cindy said...

My hometown of 22 years! I miss it so. Hope the move went well and you are all settling in.

Us4 Cats said...

wow! i can understand missing your home. one you have so many memories within and well, yourselves and your way it was made yours. our home is like that. we basically recreated it from the roots up, literally.

we llok forward to reading your updates from your new location.

Christine said...

Whoa, now that is a big shift. But I feel better about our government already knowing your hubby is part of the mix :)

Safe travels and I hope the move goes as smoothly as possible. I love D.C.

Jennifer said...

What a huge adventure you all are going on! I hope you are finding a lot of pluses to city life, and am glad you have found a good spot to settle. We will miss your wild things out in the country, but can't wait to hear what city life brings.

LISA said...

Cindy, i am so sad that we never got to meet you!! I don't get to read blogs hardly EVER anymore. I wish your family the best! I will still be checking up on you's when i can get to a pc.

SusanJohnson said...

Good luck on your new adventure! Let us know how your transition goes.

Anonymous said...

YAY!!! I have followed your blog forever! Hopefully we will be able to connect. There is a fab ET adoptive parent community out here! Language classes, culture camps etc. Let me know once you are settled so we can connect! I have twins from ET :-)

Liz Ryan said...

My husband and I live just outside of DC and have 12-month old boy that we adopted from Ethiopia. We would love to meet you when you get settled in. Feel free to email me at lizryan100@gmail.com

Welcome to DC - it's a great place to have Ethiopian kids!

Renee said...

I have been reading your blog for awhile now..love hearing the adventure of the triplets and i'm sure they will have many adventures in DC. We have a 2 year old son from Ethiopia and we live near baltimore so not far away.

Anonymous said...

How did the kids do with the move? We moved when my youngest turned 3 and he regressed to wearing diapers for a month! Hope you are enjoying DC.