In Which We Make Progress And Are Content

In the past week we have made a lot of progress.
After what started out as a fun spring break and after some initial calamity our shipment arrived intact.  As at least two fifths of this family has an aversion to living among boxes and mess, the next four days were spent with boring, exhausting and non-stop unpacking but today all's in its place down to the last toy, sock and book.

(I am just a little bit mad.  Even though the relocation company was certain they could get my car into Ukraine they failed and it is now in storage in Germany waiting for friends to collect and sell).

It is a risky business, flying over to your new country for that typical three-day look-and-see.  If you're a faithful follower you'll remember my February trip.  I had done my research and remember, I came with clear expectations (also of what not to expect), anticipation and yes, also confidence.  I knew what I wanted - I certainly hoped I knew just that. After just two full days here I flew back with a sense of accomplishment fully being aware that only time would tell if the right decisions had been made.

Yesterday, the girls safely (and happily) back at school after the Orthodox Easter break (and no, we did not have time for an egg-hunt this year but we ate lots of kulich,

Ukrainian Easter cake

without which there is no Easter here - next year, I promise, self-made), the sun finally came out long enough so Baby and I could go for a walk.  It was the first time we could really explore our area now that our 4WD stroller is here.

almost backyard

We live in a village right outside of Kiev and just like the rest of the capital all I can say if I want to be polite is that it's far from clean.  But yesterday we walked for two hours and I felt incredible peace.  Peace around the lake, peace inside.  It was the first time, the calm after the storm this time that I knew we had made all sorts of right decisions - choosing to move outside of the centre, choosing the house, choosing the school, choosing this move. 
The family has come out stronger and that's a good thing.

And you know the thing I said last week about speaking Russian with a doctor, going in Russian to a medical appointment?  Happy to say, it is now history.  When you weigh having your husband stand over your stirruped legs to translate versus making a few linguistic mistakes, the one that leaves you with a morsel of dignity will inevitably win.