And so the adventure continues ....

We've been in Houston for 7.5 months and I'm getting used to things, especially the driving. I still feel like they are the most insane drivers in the world but I just try and time my adventures on the interstate highway :)

I still get the surreal feeling where I wonder if its all a dream and I'll wake up back in my old house in Perth. I'll admit it and say I am missing a hug from my mum and dad. I speak to them and see them on Skype but getting that hug, well that's something different.

I'm not pining, sitting on the couch in a ball of misery, sobbing my heart out. I don't do that. I feel it's a waste of time. I'm a wife, mother and a grown woman. I have a family I need to look after and support so I can't be that ball of misery. I won't be that ball of misery!

Skylar has settled into the school system really well. I think it helped that she had a girl take her under her wing the first couple of weeks at school. Also Skylar was able to cope with the workload and it gave her a lot of confidence. I'm extremely proud of what she's achieved so far. She is blossoming and becoming a gorgeous girl. But sometimes I dread what her teenage years will be like with some of the attitude she gives sometimes!

Zane has had the biggest adjustment of all. He had 3 teachers in his first 4 weeks at school and for a young boy of just five that on top of a change of country, change of school system, has made his transition all that harder. He has had a huge learning curve and has come such a long way. I tell him everyday he is a beautiful boy. A smart boy. And I'm so very proud of him. The thing that is setting him back is the lack of opportunity for physical activity. His first real break from the class room is recess which is in the early afternoon. With school starting at 7.50am that's a long time for anyone, not just boys to sit and learn. They don't have the attention span. I've even talked to some of the staff at the school and they agree that some more physical activity is needed. But it just doesn't happen. But I will keep telling him that he can do it all.

Another factor for both my kids is that they have been in school since February 2009. I knew it would be interesting for them seeing as the school years are different here in the US than in Australia. Since they started school in August 2009 they've had a total of 3.5 weeks off school, with the odd long weekend thrown in for good measure. For the kids they would have had their 6-8 week break over December/January. They will be extremely glad when the end of May comes and they get 3 months off. They're going to need it. Not sure how I'll survive but I'll get there.

So the adventure for us continues and it's an exciting one. Now that we've settled in and the weather is warming up, its time to start exploring. Lots of adventures and new things to uncover.

JN