Finding My Happy Again

Just over two months in Austin and two weeks officially in our new home and I can't believe that I'm feeling this way....I'm happy!  OMG, I'm legitimately happy!  To be honest I didn't think happy would be how I would feel in Austin.  I thought I would be battling with extreme sadness and really grieving the fact that we left Penang early.  Maybe it's the fact that we haven't had much time to think or feel sorry for ourselves since we left our lovely little island.  The only thing we could do was move forward, together, as a family.  It's been overwhelmingly busy, but along with busy, we have found an amazing new home.  Adi is thriving.  Eric is going above and beyond, holding everything together, like the glue he is.  He is working hard but always available when we need him.  He is unpacking, organizing and helping care for Adi when I'm physically limited in my ability to do too much.  We are slowly unloading boxes and taking care of our "stuff".  The kitchen is unpacked and all our bedrooms, including the new nursery are in good shape.  Our new couch arrives today and the boxes from Amazon are starting to slow down.  This move has really taught me that my happiness stems from myself and my family.  If we, as a collective are happy and taken care of, then everything else either falls into place or isn't that important.

And to top all of this move off, I am 39 weeks pregnant today!  Baby boy will be joining us any moment and it's exciting and terrifying.  I can't believe we've made it, through this move and he has stayed put.  Fingers crossed he is as cooperative outside as he's been inside.  Here are a few pictures of the happiness that we've found in Austin.

Managing the movers

Adi was so happy to have her books back! 

38+ belly

Happy girl at her park!

Loving on baby brother

Reflections on the last 4 years

Four years ago and on our way to Penang

Four years ago, today, Eric and I boarded a plane and left Austin on our way to Penang.  Little did I know that two years would turn to four years and how much I would grow and change.  To say that our time in Penang was amazing is an understatement.  It is so much more than I can put into words.  I'm not sure if it is Penang, living abroad, seeing the world, becoming a mother, letting go of the expectations of being a working woman, meeting people who became our friends and then our "family", or knowing that the world is an awesome big, diverse, beautiful place, but I am not the same Jenn who left Austin 4 years ago.  I grew up.  I became my own woman in this world.  I became a mother.  I made friends from all over the world.  I have experienced cultures, religions, cuisines that so resonate with me that my heart smiles with joy, love and gratitude.  I've made relationships that I didn't think I deserved and learned the type of friend, partner, wife and mother I desire to be.  I am more patient and kind.  I am more likely to offer help then turn away and judge.  I am happy and grounded.  I am clear that my family is my number one priority and where ever we are, together, we are home.  I am open to the next great adventure, be it here in Austin, or another foreign land, but I am open and ready when it comes.  For those of you who have shared the adventure of the last four years with me, thank you, it's been awesome.  I don't know what the next four years have in store for us but I do know that more greatness is coming.  I'll keep you posted!

Four years later and back in Austin