Year Four in the Books.

This was given to me this week from a student from last year. I love the whole thing, but especially that she knew I loved her. 

One of my students wanted to twin on the last day of school. This is what we wore. 

 Another school year is done. This is year 4 for me. This year definitely had its ups and downs. I questioned whether I was in the right job, I questioned my future with my job, and there were a few times I just wanted to give up. I am definitely not perfect at my job. Honestly, I don't even know if I am good at my job. But what I am good at, is making kids feel loved. I am good at saying hello and giving hugs. I'm good at making space for everyone. 

I don't know how much longer I can deal with the commute, but I am staying where I am for at least another year. 

Stonehenge, Big Ben and an announcement.

How is that for a loaded post? 

I went to London for two weeks because my dear friend, Dasha was expecting a baby.  She is currently living in Bulgaria, but decided to have her baby in London. I happily volunteered to come help to make sure that her girls were taken care of when she and her husband went to the hospital.  You know, I am just so magnanimous.  Or I really wanted to see Dasha and go to London.

Anyway. We had a great time, and one weekend we even had Kelly cross the English Channel with her two girls, and so for that entire weekend it was EIGHT girlies and Dasha's poor husband, Matt. He might not have had a great time, there may have been a vomit incident in the car where his daughter barfed on his FACE- GROSS. BUT the girls did.  We went to Stonehenge, saw Frozen, and just had a great girls weekend. 

The rest of the trip we went shopping, walking, went to the parks, drank hot chocolate, had Chipotle, ate soup. It was so much fun to hang out with Dasha and her family. 

I was able to see Big Ben and pay tribute to my own darling husband, with the same name. *wink wink*

AND the best part was little baby girl Sonia came while I was there! 

NOW for the announcement part of this post. 

Have I told you our next assignment?  You know, where we are moving this summer? No, well, we are going to 

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 

USA

To answer some questions:

Yes, this is with Ben's current job. He works for the State Department in Diplomatic Security, and they have offices all over the United States, and Greensboro is one of them. 

Yes, we are excited.

AND we are not that far from Washington DC, so we are hoping for a few road trips up there. 

Or perhaps you would like to come to NC for some beach time?  Yes?!?!  North Carolina is A LOT closer to almost all of our friends than Sri Lanka, just sayin'.

All the girls. 

So much different from the two boys I have at home, but SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Emma (Dasha's oldest daughter) and me in front of Big Ben.  We were there right when it struck 12, which was pretty sweet.

To tell or not to tell? That is the question.

I say tell.  We know what our next assignment is.  Both Ben and I wanted to wait a little longer before sharing, since nothing is ever certain until your plane lands and you put your suitcases in your home.  (Even then, there is always room for something to happen.)  However, I have a hard time not sharing when I am excited! 

Our next post is going to be Colombo, Sri Lanka.  We didn't think that we would be able to go overseas again, and some days we weren't sure we wanted to, but both Ben and I are really excited. 
An exciting thing about this post- the Maldives are included in the Embassy's responsibilities, so I am really hoping for Ben to have to go on a business trip so we can stay here:

A girl can dream.

If everything goes according to plan, we will be going there when we leave Tijuana next year.  It is a good thing we have awhile, I we have a lot of planning to do.  You know like figuring out what to take in a consumables shipment, what to wear in monsoon season (I am thinking really great rain boots!), preparing to drive on the left side of the road, and learning how to cook non-prepared/frozen foods.  Oh, and I can't forget a dress for the Marine Ball- I can't wait to get all fancy.

Vacation for three of the four of us.

Last week Ben had to travel to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for work.  The boys and I did not want Ben to be lonely, so we tagged along.  It was awesome!  Ben had to work most of the time, but the boys and I had a great time.  We went swimming for a few hours every day, and then we would go back to the hotel room to take a nap.  It was a great week.

Six things I learned in Cabo:

1. EVERYONE spoke English.  There were more Americans (probably some Canadians) in Cabo than anywhere I have been in Mexico.

2.  If we ever go to Cabo again, we will try to do an all-inclusive.  Our hotel was located between the two main towns and a taxi was between $20-25 each way.  Add in the cost of dinner, and it was an expensive night.  (It seemed that most of the hotels are located in between the two towns.)

3.  Cabo is the second most expensive city in Mexico. (After Mexico City)

4.  Jack made it the entire week with only one accident.  I would call that pretty much potty trained. (Yeah!!)

5.  The boys LOVE the water.  Even when it is overcast and only 72 degrees outside, they wanted to play in the pool.  I wasn't too thrilled about getting in the water, but the boys enjoyed every minute.

6.  I should always do what Ben does.  One day he wanted to go out to the ocean, but I didn't want to.  When he got back, he said that he saw a whale breaching.  The rest of the time I watched for whales, but never saw one.



We had an excellent time.  I hope Ben has to do work there again. 

Actually, I am hoping for Cancun, Mexico City, or Zihuatanejo. 

Ben's Job.

Ben works for the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security as a Special Agent.  I found this to explain what he does. 

http://www.state.gov/m/ds/about/overview/index.htm

They will open the application period tomorrow if you are interested (this happens only once/twice a year.)

You can find that info here:

http://www.state.gov/m/ds/career/