:: on moving...and stuff like that ::

There will be a jumbled mixture of thoughts that follow. I have several things on my mind at the moment so I will attempt to get them out in a way that hopefully makes some sense...and some belong to entirely separate posts, maybe to come. 

Our imminent move consumes most of our thoughts and energies these days. With only 64 days (we're truly not really counting down) including 9 weekends and a list of several big and little things to be done in that time, as well as weddings, family visiting and things we'd like to do before we go...you get the picture, time is limited!

There's quite a mixture of emotions. We're obviously excited at the thought that we'll be closer to my family. Though regular Skype calls/chats with family and photos from time to time of expanding bellies (pregnant ones, that is!) are great, it's nothing like being able to pop around and really catch up in person. It's clear that, while there is a little nervousness at the unknown of what we'll do and where exactly we'll eventually live is there, we're pretty excited. And I'm naturally looking forward to being close to people I love so much.

But we're also torn at the thought of leaving behind good friends and family. We love this place! I had a sad moment in church last weekend knowing that we'll be living in an English-speaking world soon. I will miss French a lot and it's not even my mother-tongue. I hoping we'll make friends with francophones, not only for Eti's sake, but to keep the girls' and my own French as fluent as possible. I think family and friends here are scared we'll let it go with the girls. I try my best to reassure them that it just as important to us that they grow up bi-lingually and we'll do what we can to make sure they keep speaking it as well as understanding. It's part of their identity, as well as being important they can communicate with their own family here. So, if you're reading this and are worried...rest assured that it's something that is high up there on our list of priorities!

I feel for Eti. He's made for adventure and taking risks, but this one is possibly the biggest of his life (next to deciding to marry me!). He'll be leaving behind all he's known, the comfort of familiar surroundings, a language he can communicate his heart in, friends he's grown up with and his family whom he's always lived close-by to. He's taking a leap into another culture, albeit one he's somewhat familiar with and will eventually be finding a job that will involve some learning of new regulations and in another language. His English is great and he even has learned some Kiwi-speak, thanks to my enterprising brothers! But it's no doubt a huge leap of faith for him, with a family to care for, wondering what will come. Some encouraging advice from one of my family during a Skype call this morning, who knows firsthand what it's like to move to another country, leaving behind a lot of familiarity and another language, was to be easy on ourselves for the beginning weeks. Take time to settle in and don't rush into doing what we think we should be doing. It helps we'll be heading into Christmas and the holiday season, but I think she's right. We won't be lazy but we will also give ourselves the time needed to settle in. In saying this I am reassured that there are quite a big group of people in NZ waiting for us to arrive, and many of these wonderful friends already love Eti and are keen to show him more of what a kiwi lifestyle includes. We won't be starting at square one.

Maybe you can see the mix of emotions we are experiencing a little more clearly now. Being someone whose highest strength in the Strengthfinder's assessment is Empathy, it's challenging! I want to count down the days and anticipate being back in kiwi culture and near to all the excitement to come for our family in these next months. But, when I see the girls' Grandparents here giggling until their eyes shine with tears at the hilarious things they say and do and having a wonderful time being followed by two little pairs of feet around the backyard, exploring from place to place...it tears my heart to know we'll soon be far away. And then to know my own parents have been missing out on enjoying these moments for the last 18 months...ouh lala! 

That's why it often helps to focus on now. We have today and so much to enjoy in the moments. Futuristic is my second strength in the above mentioned model, and to keep my focus on today is really not easy! It's ok to anticipate exciting things ahead, but even more important to reel myself in to focus on the now moments and to make them as full and joy-filled as possible. It's true that not many days are left for us here in Switzerland, but we won't count down them down, rather fill the moments so they're rich with memories made and captured.

I just realised that my 'stuff like that' part of the title was subconsiously included because this song has been stuck in my head the last few days! A brilliant piece of true "Kiwi" work! See here for the full-length HD version.