Here We Go Again...

Last week we were sitting in Chili's in Malaysia enjoying mango juice, french fries, and Australian beef while watching the Rodeo Championships broadcast from Houston. It was the bull riding event, and the kids stared in fascination. I explained the rules of the competition, telling them to watch the 8-second clock to see if the cowboy could endure. It quickly turned ugly as one cowboy caught a bull horn uppercut to his chin. I admit, it was kind of hard then to explain why people do this.

But it brought on a bit of nostalgia. I told Maya that 4 years ago we attended that same rodeo in Houston. I thought of turkey legs on the bone, deep-fried pickles and Oreos, and my pink cowboy boots that Maya loves to wear around the house. For international day at her school she got to dress up as a cowgirl (how else do you dress as an American??)


Imagine my surprise when a few days later Dave says, "Do you want to move to Houston?" Heck ya, when?

Two weeks. That wasn't what I had in mind. Suddenly there are a hundred things here I haven't done or seen. Suddenly I find myself in a whirlwind frenzy. My heart aches to leave what I've come to love here in Malaysia, but the other part of me is super excited to scream down the 21-lane Katy freeway singing Rascal Flatts at the top of my lungs.

So here we go again. This time there isn't an anxiousness about a new culture, a new country, a new language. There is excitement to see old friends and reacquaint myself with Taco Bell.

13 comments

Anne said...

Seriously? You guys are leaving too? My oh my......and in 2 weeks?

MariLouise said...

Wait, what? Is this for real? We will be neighbors again! You want fried pickles--we got 'em! Texas State Fair, 2012--here we come!

Catherine said...

Congratulations?!? P.S. I was hoping Maya would be wearing the boots in the pic. But she still looks adorable! What will she do in a "normal" American school?

emilyaaa said...

Oh, that's so exciting! Though i have to admit I'll miss reading about all your exotic trips and posts about strangers kissing your children!!

Good luck with the next two weeks!!!

Deb said...

Wow!! Maybe that is why we couldn't feel quite settled about making plans to come out there....you won't be there!! :) I am so excited for you guys! Hopefully we will see you in the transition, but if not, we are headed to Texas at the end of July, so we could meet up then! I can't wait to hear more :) Take Care!!

merathon said...

wow-- back to the US, huh? i was wondering what exotic location you would be going to next...

good luck with the move. next time we have a reunion, you'll have NO excuse not to come!

Nicc said...

Yay!!! We are so excited! When I told Taya she ran around the house saying Oh ya, oh ya, oh ya.... She couldn't wait to tell Jared that Maya was moving back to America when he got home from work. I didn't have the heart to tell her it wouldn't be as close as she thinks!

Emily Alexander said...

Yay for you guys!! I really enjoy reading about all your exotic adventures but I'm really happy for you to get to come back to the states!

Cath said...

I so want you in the states. But we haven't had a chance to grow our kids up enough to travel international with you yet! Okay, that's selfish. Truthfully, we're thrilled for you! That's awesome news. Need more details. Will you email the fam? xoxo

Sarah holman said...

That is so exciting! So short time too! Can't wait to have you only 5 hour flight aways instead of 27!

Valina said...

Yay for you! I guess you will be super busy the next couple weeks. Good luck, you are such a brave woman to beable to move such short notice, and to all the places you have.

Becca said...

What the...?!! Wow...two weeks! That is so exciting and so fast! I hope you can get in all the last minute things before you leave Malaysia. Glad you took such great advantage of the places around there while you were there. You are amazing that way. Like Cath said...details please. Can't wait to hear more. Happy day for you, I'm sure!

Nancy said...

Wow! Two weeks notice—go your team. I'm not moving for a few months and I'm already nervous about packing (even though our stuff has been packed for four years now).

Anyway, if you want to get together while you're in Utah, let me know! It would be fun to see you again!