Goodbye Winter

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I have my ups and down living here.  January and most of February were down months.  I often wonder how I will do at our next post because Brussels is the "cream of the crop" where "everyone" wants to be.  "Everyone" must not be from Nevada and enjoy the sun as much as I do.  I was telling Sabrina I get my power to do good from the sunshine.  Her response, "No wonder you're so grouchy".  It is true that my moods seem to go up and down according to how long it has been since I have last seen the sun.

Other things that don't improve my mood:

*  My husband being in Germany for a 3 week span of time

*  Receiving hate emails while above mentioned husband is gone.
sidenote:  I have a coping strategy for getting through life relatively happy.  I pretend everyone likes me.  When someone puts in writing multiple times how horrible your child is and how your parenting stinks it's hard to ignore.  When said person shares her opinions with others it's even harder.  I have since decided said person (email writer) is a little crazy.


*  Being sick, first with a cold then with the flu while above mentioned husband is gone.
Another sidenote:  I have been sick while living in Belgium more than I have been healthy.  

*  My grandmother passing away and not being able to be there with my family.
And another sidenote:  It really wasn't an option to go.  I was too sick to make it out the door so going to the airport was impossible.  And let's not forget my children who like a parent in the same country with them.


*  Cutting sugar out of my diet.  It has been done, but it's not pretty. 


*  The thought that my parents might not be able to come for their planned trip

The thought of my parents coming kept me going.  My mantra through the winter was, "I just have to make it though February.  I just have to make it through February".

I'm happy to say I did make it through February.  My husband came home, my parents came to visit, I finally became healthy again.  We had a wonderful time with my parents (pictures will be coming later) and we said goodbye to winter.

I love spring.  More sun, flowers, more sun...

I'll need to store it up to get me through the next year.

Comments

Krista said…
Lisa, you are a wonderful mother and your kids are fabulous! Can't believe some rude person thought otherwise.
Sorry to hear that your grandmother passed away. I was on my mission when my grandfather passed away, and my twin sister (who was on her mission) and I were the only grandchildren not at the funeral.
Sounds like you had a really rough month. I'm glad it's over. So glad your parents got to visit you. Wish we could come see you guys. We miss you.
April 17, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Shana Hamblin said…
I am also like you. Here I was in Memphis dealing with Devree's cancer and the sun did not shine for 2 months! Being from the West, I love the sunshine and I know there is a name for being sad about not seeing the sun in the winter but I don't know what it is. I am sorry you got a horrible email. At the time we are just hurt but it seems like you have already gone past to the feel sorry for the abuser. That is always a great place to be. I think you are an awesome mother and I think your children are next to perfect. I too, like Krista, wish that our family could come and visit your family. But we have too many medical bills with Devree. She is going to BYUI in the fall and she just got her first scholarship.
We love you guys and this isn't from Noble, it is from the Hamblin Family.
April 30, 2012 at 4:08 AM
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