Transitional homecoming.....

Being home.....Let's just say it's been quite a ride so far.  Emotionally, physically and every other way possible.  Transitioning back has not been as easy as I originally thought it would be.  I knew it would be difficult and I would go through some culture shock but I guess I wasn't fully prepared for the reality of how it would feel and look.  Now don't get the wrong idea here...it hasn't been bad at all just weird.  I guess I will just dive in and tell you all about the week and we will just see where it leads from there.  My homecoming couldn't have been more love filled.  The emails were flying in from people who knew I was home with well wishes from those who weren't able to see me and plans to get together from others who were around!  It warmed my heart to feel the love of those who had sent me on this adventure welcoming me back with open arms (and  

Little Londyn

emails).  From the moment I walked into the airport at midnight where Gracie and David were waiting to pick me up to arriving at the home of Mike, Priscilla and Greyson (which would be my home for the next month)  I immediately remembered what has made San Diego so wonderful.  Not the weather...although it helps...it's the community of people I have here that made me miss home a bit while I was living my life in Europe.  
One of my first visitors the day after I got back was Melissa and her sweet daughter Londyn.  She came wearing a Union Jack shirt in honor of my trip which was really adorable.  This morning at the park was just the beginning of the stream of kids that passed through my world this first week.  Seeing all of them was a huge reality check of how long I really was gone.  Everyone of them had changed so much.  Kind of overwhelming to see it all in this first week.  Do to the wonderful

Pool Time with Tamra, Priscilla and the kids!

invention, Skype, I was able to see most of them while I was gone and they still remembered me but the changes still were huge.  Getting to spend time with everyone and their families has been so fun this week.  There have been many events like pool time in Coronado.  The day was a little grey but the kids didn't care and the pool was heated so we weren't complaining.  We also headed out to a super cute small ranch hidden in the hills in Del Mar where all the kids got to take pony rides.  It might have been the cutest thing I have ever seen. Just check out theses adorable photos below...

Elle Showing the boys how it's done!

Greyson's first pony ride....I think he likes it!

Just hanging out

The kids had a wonderful time and so did all the parents. Of course I always love being the cool Auntie that everyone likes hanging out with too.
Now in the midst of all this kid time I somehow managed to get a nasty flu from one of the little lovelies.  I'm talking knocked out, dead to the world, chills, fever, razorblades in my throat and hacking up my lungs sick.  Are you getting a clear enough picture of this....now add in some jet lag and trying to transition back into the country and maybe you can start to get a glimpse of what coming home has been like.  Like I said before being back is not bad it's just weird.  I feel a bit like I am walking around in someone else's life right now.  I left because I needed and wanted to hit the reset button a bit and I had always dreamed of taking Europe by storm. Having done all of that and now coming back to the place I left it feels the same but oddly very different here.  I am not the same girl that left here almost a half a year ago but being back I fear I could easily slip back into the comfort zone and I refuse to let that happen.  It is definitely hard to come back to a place that you have known as home and try to maintain the new part of yourself.  As I have been getting together with people this week the first question everyone has asked me is "Are you happy to be home?"  That really has been one of the hardest things to answer.  Such a simple question but unfortunately the answer isn't quite that easy.  My answer so far is " I am just not sure."  Of course I am so happy to be surrounded by all my amazing friends who have been beyond supportive but I also loved being in Europe and really being my own person experiencing life and being inspired.  The second question I get is "So what are you going to do now?"  That one is my personal favorite so far...not really.  However I know that the only reason I hate it is because it means I really have to think about what's next and honestly I have no clue!  Please don't stop asking me this question, even though I hate it, because I need to keep it in the front of my mind.  It is the most overwhelming thing to think about but also the most exciting.  Since being home I have been able to think about what I can do for myself with my design label and that is exciting.  I also have been able to look at being a nanny again here part-time which also brings me so much joy and I don't feel bad about wanting to do it.  I know that I am not a "corporate america girl" and I need so much more out of life then a job behind a desk.  I also have learned from this trip that I really have to be true to the desires of my heart because you are only truly happy when you are doing that.  I know this transition is going to be a daily roller coaster ride but that's what keeps things interesting.  I know that I have amazing support from all of my friends to help me get through this and you all will and already have been holding me up to help me get back on my feet.  
From day one of this adventure before I even left everything has just fallen into place.....That is my daily reminder that if I just keep pursuing this new life here one day at a time it will all fall into place.  Who knows what that will be or where that will lead but I am positive it will be amazing......The story of the Green Book will continue and I can't wait to see where it leads!