Off to China

No, not us. But I wish we were. I was trying to talk Jeff into six months of teaching English in China when we found out we were pregnant. At that point, Mr. Safety was even less thrilled at the idea so China, jogging, sky diving, and fun were all crossed off of the list of approved activities for the vessel carrying his son. So, I will live vicariously through my parents, who are moving to Beijing in a week. My Dad is going to be the exploration manager over there ($$$), while my Mom hangs out and learns Mandarin and buys me things at the pearl market. They've already planned a trip to Tibet with my brother, too. I am hoping we'll get to head out in about a year, when our little guy will still be a lap baby, but young enough to dose with Tylenol for the two day plane flight.

They will be in Beijing for the next few years, flying back a couple times a year for things like my birthday, our baby's birthday, Christmas-so they can see our baby, and for Jeff's birthday. If they have time they might stop and see my siblings.

To send them off we thought we'd throw them a going away party, complete with Greek food, egg rolls, jalapeno poppers (because you can never have too much Velveeta and breading), Texas sugar cookies and sheet cake. I was so glad we had a ton of food-there was a steady stream of people the entire night!!! Honestly, it was one of the funnest evenings I've had in a while and I loved, loved seeing everyone who came. And I know my parents did, too. After the last guest left and we shut off a few lights, my parents just smiled as we talked about everyone who came and of the fun memories we've had with them.I would have posted the pictures of everyone who came (I tried to get one of each family), but that would have taken all night to upload. But we'll just say in twenty three years you can make a lot of friends, and my parents were touched that so many stopped by. Even the ones who came by Sunday night, as one email invitation accidentally said the event was Sunday, the twenty ninth. Not Saturday the twenty ninth. Whoops-good thing we had leftovers..In the end, it was really bittersweet. It was a lot of fun to have a party, but honestly the reason for throwing it is really a bummer. Your parents are never supposed to leave the house you grew up in, the phone number you've had for your entire life, where my Dad first really spanked me, where he taught of the value of taking care of the things you own, where I was told not to chew with my mouth open, where I cleaned the garage every Saturday morning for more than ten years of my life (unless we were at a Scout project of some sort), the place I've always sent my tax returns to because I knew it would never change.... those things are always supposed to stay the same. Except for cleaning the garage. I'm glad I've only had to do that once this last year. I never thought I'd see the day when I would pull up to the front of the house and not see my Mom's desk lamp on through the window while she sat at the computer. At least in my life. I just figured she'd be there for the next forever, typing away at the computer and searching for lost cousins. And I don't know what I am going to do with the free time I'll have with my Dad in China. No one will be volunteering me for random Scout activities or having me be their secretary, although I suppose a new baby will keep me busy. But honestly, I'll miss them. It really breaks my heart to see them go, they've always been there for us and provided a place to come home to, and I've always appreciated that. And so have our squirrels, even if they did wear out their welcome. But, I know my Dad has dreamt of exploring new places since he was a kid-so I suppose I can keep my chin up for a while and be excited for them and their new adventure. It still doesn't mean I'll miss them any less. It just means behind the smile there is a very, very sad daughter who is going to miss her parents very much. So don't turn your third bedroom in Beijing into an office just yet, I might not make it til we get to visit next year.