This post that I read today so wonderfully captures what has been on my mind and weighing on my heart the past couple of weeks.  Thought I would share:

http://www.lauraleighparker.com/2011/12/when-skype-falls-woefully-short-on-living-far-away-from-family/

Though we may not be together in person this Christmas, you are all very much with us in our hearts.

Cook Christmas Party

Nate had a taste for fish and chips last Sunday, so we decided to try Durty Nellie's, the oldest pub in Ireland.  It opened in 1620 and is supposedly the best place to get a pint of Guinness. 

Nate and Scarlett had a staring contest while we waited for our food.

Me and my boy.

After lunch we headed to the Cook Christmas party.  The kids had a great time.

Scarlett was thrilled to have her face painted like a fairy princess, and Grayson was completely engrossed while we watched the magician.

They were a little hesitant about seeing Santa at first, but walked right up to him with their letters as soon as they saw him.

Nate and I were so impressed with this party.  Face painting, balloon animals, a magician.  Each child got a gift from Santa, a treat bag with a juice bottle and treats, AND a box of chocolates.  It was amazing.  The kids have already been talking about going again next year.  :)

O Christmas Tree

We went in search of our Christmas tree a little over a week ago.  We didn't get to walk through fields of trees looking for just the right one to chop down, but we all enjoyed the experience none the less.

"How about this one?"

I love these two.

A lot.

"Look Mom!  We have antlers!"

Freshly delivered.

It was strange leaving the lot without the tree, but the kids LOVED the anticipation of waiting for it to be delivered.  Stay tuned for the decorated version.

Catching up

Almost every night I compose post after post for this blog in my head as I lay in bed waiting to fall asleep.  And day after day I think about sitting down and actually writing how I'm feeling about living in Ireland.  And then I don't.  I'm not sure why, really, but today I'm going to attempt to change that.  Especially since my last post was such a downer and I don't feel like it's a good representation of our life here at all.  Yes, there are difficult days, days when I miss our friends and family like you wouldn't believe and want nothing more than to stay home and dwell on how hard it is to be away from everyone.  But mostly?  Things are good here, we like where we are in our life and are loving the opportunity that has been given to us. 

I ran up to the petrol station the other night to grab some milk before they closed....at 7pm.  ;)  I parked the car, ran in and grabbed the milk, paid for it, and was back in the car in about 5 minutes.  And that's when it struck me.  I am so incredibly happy right now and totally and completely love this moment in life.  It was one of those moments when it just kind of hit me and made me pause for a moment.  I love where we are right now.  I love the life that we are creating for ourselves.  I love that it felt incredibly normal to run into the petrol station at 6:30 on a Saturday night for a jug of milk.

Giving Thanks

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, an American holiday not celebrated in Ireland. It was strange waking up with Nate already gone to work knowing it was a day usually spent together as a family. Stranger still to drop Grayson off at school where it was just another day for everyone else.  Gray took in some pumpkin pie cupcakes in an attempt to share Thanksgiving with his new friends.  I'm willing to bet it was the first time the majority of them tasted anything made with pumpkin.  Scarlett and I laid low most of the morning, snuggling on the couch while momma fought a headache.  The afternoon brought skype calls from family, which we are always so very thankful for.  We had tacos for dinner, choosing to save the turkey and all the fixings for Saturday when we can spend the whole day together as a family.  This year we have so very many things to be thankful for: the opportunity to live in Ireland, friends new and old, family, an extended network of support.  But more than anything, this year I am so incredibly thankful for Nate and the kids, thankful that we have each other, through good times and bad, no matter what.  Happy Thanksgiving, friends.  I hope you all had a day filled with family, friends, and giving thanks for all the  blessings in your life.

I'm struggling today. 

Nate has been gone for the past week and a half, and the solo parenting is starting to really wear me down. 

I've made friends here, but it's very easy to still feel very much like an outsider.  I miss the ease that I have with my friends back home and the laid back nature of our friendships.  I miss sitting on my couch in my sweats and chatting about everything and anything with girlfriends and not feeling like I have to "be on" all the time. 

I miss my best friend.  She received some terrible news yesterday and it's breaking my heart that I can't be there for her, that I can't drive the 7 minutes to her house and help her family or drive 5 hours to sit next to her as she tries to make sense of it all.

I miss home right now, and it kind of sucks that I am so far away from everyone I care so much about.  I love the dream we are living right now, but today is definitely one of the hardest I've had since being here.   

Post O' Pictures

Bunratty Castle

Irish Wolf Hounds

 Being silly under the Spanish Arch in Galway

Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway

Galway Cathedral

Enjoying a hot chocolate in Eyre Park, Galway.

Doors of Dublin