Week One

How one week feels like a lifetime I'm not sure I understand, but this past week has felt just that way.  Last Monday, we were saying our goodbyes to our house of eight years and loved ones we'll miss and getting ready to embark on the unknowns of a new life in Switzerland.  The memories of that day are burned into my mind with crystal clarity.  Pulling our suitecases out of my in-laws garage and lining them up in the driveway, the sight of the big shuttle coming down the street to pick us up, praying with dear family and friends just before stepping onto the shuttle, the look of their hands waving at us as we pulled away.  The list goes on, sights, sounds, feelings, all marking what was the culmination of much planning and dreaming finally come to fruition.  Some of our traveling moments were laughable (and not so laughable).  After a 2.5 hour delay on our first flight, we found ourselves, in true home alone fashion, racing through LAX trying to make our next flight.  Dripping in sweat and carrying all the kids bags so they could run and the insanely slow security line had us convinced we just might not make the flight.  Then hearing our names on the airport speakers warning us of our last call only to turn the corner into claps from the airline staff as we just barely made it, what drama!  What a sight we must have been collapsing in a sweaty heap in our seats!  But we made it, and for that I am so thankful.  Over all, the kids did great on the flights.  Autumn had one fussy, "I can't sleep I'm uncomfortable" moment on the long flight and Emma got motion sick from the end of the long flight until we got to our apartment, poor girl, but other than that, they were troopers:).  But lest you think the drama was over at the nearly missed flight, once we arrived in Geneva, we watched our flight's carousel completely empty without one of our bags appearing.  You guessed it, our luggage was delayed.  After two days of washing ourselves with a tiny bottle of facial cleanser and wearing the same outfit for three days, our luggage arriving was such a sweat gift!
     We've enjoyed long (and sometimes difficult) walks around the village this week .  Four walking trips  to the grocery store already and feel we are already getting the hang of where to find things and what most things are there.  We've met some wonderful people already and been thrown two social get-togethers in just one week, we're so spoiled and blessed!  Our apartment is great, newly remodeled and spacious with lovely tall windows and ceilings to take in our breathtaking view of the Alps.  There have been many, "somebody pinch me!" moments this week... and maybe that's what makes it seem like it's been forever.  It might also be the adjustment to the time difference, after all we've traveled forward in time eight hours!
   And just one short week after we left our Colorado home, the kids had their first day at the village, french speaking, primary school!  They had a good day today, no tears and even new friends made.  I think Emma will pick up the French really easily and I'm praying the other kids do too.  We do not take for granted what an amazing opportunity this is for them to be immersed in French:).  We're hoping they'll teach us as they go! I could write more and more, but my eyelids are fading me.  Until next time, I'll leave you with some fun pictures from today, our first day school in Leysin!