Cute kid. Big bugs. (Seven months in the Cloud Forest with a Toddler): March 2015

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

This year and next...

Hello from the mist, sun, wind, itchy bites, and rainbows,

Yesterday morning Jaal and Melinda returned to the states with one less bag and one more animal than they came. They are excited to be heading back, want to go to Trader Joe's and Taco Bell (weird but true) and we are sad to see them go and jealous of their access to feta cheese. Seriously, it was really special to have them next door and to share this experience with them.

We have made some decisions about next year. I decided to postpone going back to work another year. Liana is just starting to speak Spanish and we would like her to strengthen her knowledge of the language. Tony is enjoying being here and has found a variety of opportunities for playing music. I have found meaningful volunteer opportunities at both private schools. We have connected with old friends. Liana got into pre-school here. So, we decided to stay another year.

In order to balance our desire to stay another year with our sadness about missing Jaal (and Lev), and wanting Jaal and Liana to continue their close relationship we decided we will try to go back every three months and connect with Jaal, or meet somewhere else or have him come here.

So, some details remain to be worked out. We decided to keep our April 3 return and go to Seattle for ten days or so to visit. Then, we will return to Seattle in July to visit friends and family (8th-30th?) We will add on a stop on the East Coast in late June/early July, on way to visit the Seattle area.

Best wishes to everyone,

Rebecca

(Jaal and Melinda will be staying at Melinda's parents in Shelton for the next few weeks, at least, as they look for jobs and explore where they want to be.)