Goodbye, Switzerland

On our last full weekend in town, we had a going away party at our place with our closest friends-one Swiss family, one from Northern Ireland, one from South Africa, and a some fellow Americans.

We also took part in a Swiss Christmas tradition with our good Swiss friends.  On December 6th, Santa Claus came to visit.  Santa Claus individually addressed each child, telling them things that they did well this year and something they needed to improve or change.  Then each child got a little gift bag with peanuts, mandarin oranges, and some chocolates.  It was funny because it was actually quite serious when Santa was talking to each child about their behavior and each one took it seriously.

About a week later, early on a Sunday morning, we headed to the airport.  Two of my girl friends, Sara and Jess, met us to say goodbye.  I cried.  I was tired, sad, overwhelmed, and very anxious for the full day of traveling I would experience with the two kids by myself.

Carter was flipping out before we even got through security because I put him in the stroller.  My friend ran to the store and back again within 10 minutes just to buy me a couple leashes for them in case they wanted to walk most of the day (I don't judge parents who have kids in leashes...especially in crazy airports...but they didn't even end up using them because they threw more fits with them than without).  We flew Zurich to Paris to Atlanta to Greensboro, NC.  We had lots of fruit snacks and so many prayers for us.  I was more stressed than I've been in a long time, mainly scared for everything that could happen.  It was HARD.  We were on one plane for 11 hours.  I had 2 carry ons, the Ergo carrier, and the two kids.  At the Zurich airport, they took my stroller and checked it because our first flight was some small carrier so I didn't see it until my final destination.  THAT was the worst part of the entire day.  I nearly broke down sobbing.  At a few points, I was carrying both kids and two heavy carry ons.  Not to mention when we had to eat lunch and I had all that plus some food.  But really, the kids were so amazing.  I'm not just saying that.  Most of all, Maddie impressed me.  She was so tired, but still tried her best to walk by herself, listen, and help carry her backpack or her jacket.  She even held his hand on the escalators.  People around us throughout the day were also caring, like letting us go to the front of the line, giving us extra snacks and milk on the plane, and being gracious when I was desperate.  The entire day, Maddie only slept 30 minutes (she fell asleep at the end of our last flight, of course) and Carter about 2.5 hours.  I collapsed in tears of relief and exhaustion into Kim's (my stepmom's) arms when I saw her.  We made it!

And then all of a sudden, we were in America, with no return ticket to our home in Bulach.  It was so strange those first few weeks, especially since when we left, our apartment was exactly how it always had been.  Bryce stayed an extra week to supervise the packing up and handing in the keys.