It's Cliché but true......

It's Cliché but true - Culture Shock is a thing!

It's been 10 days since I last posted and WHY?  I know it's cliché but oh so true.  After a year abroad, living a lifestyle completely different than most, we can officially say we are in CULTURE SHOCK!  

What's the difference?  The international locations were explored did not require a vehicle.  We were able to walk everywhere, the grocery store, the pool, the beaches and lots of restaurants. 

Walkability and less car-focused.  Is that a phrase?  You see, no matter where we are now in the states, we have to drive.  We need a car AND I am driving for more than 5 minutes anywhere.  It seriously feels like everything is at least 20-30 minutes away!  It's just baffling how much time our family is spending in the car even though we are not even on a road trip!

We have gone from walking 15K-20K steps a day to barely hitting 5K-10K steps a day.  

We drive to get groceries, we drive to go to the library, we drive to follow-up appointments.  PHEW!!  I wish we could collect mile points for every mile we drive like we do with airline miles.  HA HA HA!

Still, we improvise, overcome and adapt!  Check out Enzo!  What a shining example of an overcomer!

We had a follow up appointment at one of our favorite Pediatricians.  We had her back when Enzo and Eli were just babies.  After leaving Florida in 2018 for Colorado and now returning 6 years later, we are happy to find her once again, and even closer to where we are staying!  

Enzo had a great follow-up.  Let's just say, Enzo is a new boy and we are amazed at his progress.  He's saying things like "airport," or 4 word sentences more often and it's amazing how much he is trying to communicate with us!  It's been great!  

With Eli's passion to be a Navy SEAL, a pilot and everything in between, coming up with workout plans has been super fun and creative.  This night in particular was 15 calories on the bike, 15 burpees and then 15 calories again on the bike.  This is meant to replicate your time and effort on the Firefighter Challenge course.  (They didn't have an assault bike, but they felt the burn!)

In fact, true to our nature, the two have signed up for The American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb which is this Saturday March 23rd.  Yes, they climbed the 10 stories of the hotel multiple times with the air pack to train together.   This prepared them for the 37 story climb of the Bank of America Tower in Jacksonville. 

Here's Eli's page about what he is doing: Fight for Air (Here's Scott's page)

Since we were still in transition and awaiting to get into our airbnb we decided to head north to Georgia.  What was supposed to be a trip to visit Scott's family ended up being more of a trip down memory lane as we visited friends; friends we have known for a long time.  

My heart is so full.  We are truly blessed!

We also got to visit one of our former foster kiddos who is currently living with his forever family!  

Every time we swing by Georgia, the family welcomes us with open arms.  Sitting in the spring weather on the back patio enjoying each other's company can easily turn into an all day affair.  My heart flows over with joy as I watch their little kiddo thrive and giggle a lot the entire time!  

Now go back to 1992, the last year Scott and Al were roommates in the Marine Corps!  That's how long it's been since these two have seen each other face to face.  

Buc-ees is a great place to meet.  The weather was once again amazing.  I think Scott might have gotten a little burnt on his nose.  😆

Eli couldn't get over the Harley Davidson Al rides.  Al's group, Heaven's Saints Motorcycle Ministry provides a Christian brotherhood of bikers to fellowship with and minister alongside.  Wow!

I have met a lot of Scott's Marine Corps friends and to this date I can sense the brotherhood and love between them; a love that will never cease.  Semper Fi!

Since we were so close to the Museum of Aviation (and it's FREE), we decided to take a detour and check it out.  WOW!  We need to come back!  We couldn't see it all.  BUT IT WAS SO COOL!

We didn't have Enzo's special chair with us as it was packed in the trunk of the rental.   I think he did pretty well checking out the different displays. 

Eli and I took a "Virtual Tank Mission" in the Virtual Reality simulator.  It was so stinking cool.  You could feel the bumps, the explosions and more.  The only thing missing was the icy cold breeze since the simulator was in the cold and ice of Northern Europe during WWII. 

Having just completed our study of WWII in our homeschooling, I think Eli truly enjoyed seeing what he learned on display.  

We only had enough time to view the first building of the museum's collection.  Outside there were more, much more.  We could see through the windows, a C-141, B-52, B-1 Bomber, an A-10 and more.  There were a couple of hangers to visit as well as a lot more to see.  We will have to return.  

Field Trip = Homeschool for the WIN!

The very next day, when we returned to Florida, we were invited by Nonna and her friend, to go to Blue Springs State Park to see the manatees.  Yet another beautiful day for an adventure!

In the end I have to admit, I do love being in the United States.  There is give and take living here.  Fortunately there is a lot of exploring to do too.  While we are here helping Enzo recover, we will continue to explore.  This family can't stop looking for adventures!

So what are we going to do?  Feel free to chime in and share with me what is near you that you think we should explore!  

In the meantime, please don't forget to cheer on Scott and Eli at the Fight For Air Climb tomorrow.  Their heat is at 9:40am.  

We are always counting our blessings as we continue through this thing called LIFE!  There is no doubt that your prayers have helped Enzo recover fast!  AND help us ALL return to life as we know it!  xoxo