Impressions from the Fog

It is 7 PM. The frozen pizza has been bought and baked with much anticipation but only barely touched as we are all too tired to eat. The whine in Isaac's voice has become a permanent fixture and crying outbursts are happening every second. Baths await and Bible time...but we try to put it off as long as possible in order to force our body clocks into a new timeframe . There are piles of clothes along the wall. Jeans and sweatshirts bought at the village market in preparation for the New England cold. Every eye is heavy, and every light is on in an effort to keep ourselves alert. The boys are cradling new Knight swords and Kinley organizes her new Polly Pockets. My Real Simple magazine awaits me at my bedside and Jeff is enjoying his Mountain Dew. The clock ticks slowly as we await a reasonable bed time hour...

Jet lag hurts. Alot. For some odd reason...the pain is forgettable. I don't usually remember the unique brain numbing/yet nerve sensitive irony of jet lag. But I am currently in the throes of it and I can't wait for it to be over.

3Am. It is the time we actually got to sleep the first night in America. And it is the time all our children woke up the second night. Ready to party. "Where is the food Mom?" "Can I have juice in my cup Mom?" and "Why aren't the birds singing yet Mom?"

The roads are all smooth. I understand most of what people say the first time. Roads have signs and maps are correct. Internet, phone service and electricity are always on. And so is the water. I have so enjoyed hot showers. And drinking water without boiling it. I feel like I'm breaking a rule everytime I drink from the tap :-).

Food is easy. When we are hungry...we find food. And it is YUMMY! McDonald's fries are just always RIGHT. Chocolate milkshakes, Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, and the Dr. Pepper I just finished have been delightful and required no forethought. I didn't plan at 10:30 am this morning that I would make the ice cream and cookie dough. I just wanted it, went down the hall and bought it. And ate it ...all by myself.

Magazines are affordable. And the news is American. David Letterman is on at night. And there is every re-run imaginable on television.

People here always wear shoes. And I haven't seen dirt on the ground yet. Cars are large and colorful.

There is a price for everything. It is clearly marked and there are no negotiations.

Everything is for sale. I flipped through over 30 channels today and only found 3 with actual shows on at one moment. The rest were commercials.

And while on the subject...commercials are funny. Hilarious really. This, in case you were not aware, is unique to American consumerism.

There are so many things made for kids. Museums, aquariums, restaurants, stores...all geared for kids and their learning and development. It is valued here. And I am proud of that.

I am moved to tears when I see the flag.

The homeless people we saw today were...wearing coats and gloves and appeared,to me,to be well fed.

We are in a very historical place. And I have found myself relating stories to the kids all day. Tomorrow will bring more stories. I am so thankful for our heritage. The men who argued and debated and decided what our country would be founded on.

Other parts of this culture will also be impressionable in this fulrough experience...but overall....this is a phenomenal country. And it is good to be here.

The crying has started again. It is turning into a wail. I must go help my kids to bed.

Everything will look even better on the other side of a complete night of sleep...:-)

Benadryl anyone?