Shift

Today it is two months since we left Edmonton, it is warm and somewhat sunny and the girls are happily playing away while we listen to an audiobook.
We have become strangely at home here. We have a routine, know how to get around and this house feels less like a B & B but I don't think any of us really claim it has "home". Beatrix corrected Liam last night when he claimed ownership of a pillow on the couch, "Daddy that isn't your pillow, we can't take it home with us, it belongs to the house silly!". I made the bold move of removing a rather unappealing nude painting of a lady from our bedroom (it is now in a bottom drawer somewhere), Ngila commented, "oh mommy I don't think you should do that, the house people must really like it". Of course their deep concern for the house does not apply to their treatment of the carpet under the dining room table. So we are adjusting nicely.
What we have not found is a community, I know, I know, the word is overused and abused and often lacks meaning as a result. But in this case it works, we have felt the joy and struggle of being four people on a desert island. Not the worst situation, but the joy and struggle of having others views, needs and ideas in and out of your life, has become something we are missing. I am thankful for our virtual community through Skype, blogging, email and the old fashioned telephone.
Tomorrow things change here for us, we embark on a 5 week marathon of house guests, we anticipate many good times and short days and feel very blessed that we have wonderful parents and friends who are making the trek out here.
I am adding my favorite Washington picture to date. Beatrix on the bus heading home.