Balancing Family Life with Traveling

Written by Bessie about United States. Feelin' happy

Today is the last day of my nearly 2 weeks in Chicago, and it was wonderful. Kyle and I split off, and I enjoyed my truly indulgant time with loved ones while he further pursued his love/ hate relationship with learning spanish.

I embraced babies, spent pretty much every waking minute visiting people, hugged what feels like hundreds of people, and yes, Kyle, drank tasty beer. I was welcomed by smiles and hospitality everywhere I went, and enjoyed the brownies, Indian Food and Jamba Juice I'd been craving for months. And by far, the most talked about tale from the road was our karaoke adventure.

my niece Eliza at 5 weeks and mother Melissa
Ben and Russell

my brother Ben & nephew Russell (2 1/2 yrs) in their great new backyard

my Dad, Linda, and my pack; my cousins Michelle, Barbie & Erica

Kyle Stork, Drew, Kate, Lauren, Mollie, Bessie

Momma and me; Kyle Stork, Drew, Kate, Lauren, Mollie and me at Cork Lounge
Bessie, Abbe, Anne

me, Abbe, Anne; Rachel and I embrace
breakfast of eggs, bbq ham and oat pancakes

delicious breakfast my brother Aaron made of eggs, honey-ied bbq ham, and oat pancakes. Yummmm...

Oh, another highlight was the 7 months of mail I got to open which included nearly 30 credit card offers, including these 19 faux AmEx cards. We already have one of the red ones!!

Back "home", most lives are the same, and and Chicago is its same smiling self. Big difference is that the Cubs might actually keep it together this year - the year we're away. As much as emailing, video chat, and phone calls connect, it's never the same as real interaction, and now, I'm recharged, feeling well loved, and ready to get back to my honey to celebrate our 1 year aniversary.

The answer I keep repeating to people is that it hasn't felt that wierd being back, it's felt natural and not scary, because I've felt more like I was on vacation visiting what used to be my life, rather than temporarily being back in my life. Yes, yes, many are saying, "but aren't you pretty much just on vacation from your real life?" To which I respond my classic, it's not vacation, it's our lifestyle. Kyle and I have built a home with each other, it's just that we carry all our belongings on our backs and change beds at least once a week. As my dear friend Kate confirmed, "on the road with Kyle is your home now," and life's not quite right without him by my side.

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August 31, 2008 selena: glad u enjoyed the visit and glad u got to come see us in indy! we love u bess!

September 03, 2008 Bessie: thanks, lady! i had so much fun in indy. I'll definitely do it again sometime! hugs to you and i'm getting tons of compliments on your pictures, of course. :) xoxo!

August 31, 2008 selena: btw that breakfast looks awesome! i didnt know aaron could cook like that!

September 01, 2008 auntie Donna: Bessie, safe travels back "home". It was special seeing you again. Muuah.

September 03, 2008 Bessie: it was great seeing you auntie donna! glad all your teeth friends get to see our funny antics. :)

September 02, 2008 Wendy: It was awesome getting to spend some time with you. Have fun on your continued travels together!

September 03, 2008 Bessie: Wendy it was so great seeing you too!!! glad things are going well, and we're stoked about more travels :)

September 02, 2008 Kristine: Happy Anniversary you two! I hope you splurged and stayed somewhere with hot water! :)

September 03, 2008 Bessie: hot water AND cable AND a pool! :) Kyle hooked us up. :) Hard to believe it's a year...

September 03, 2008 Mark: "Well I never had a place
that I could call my very own
but that's all right my love
cuz you're my home. "

"You're My Home" by Billy Joel

September 12, 2008 Linda: We loved having you home, albeit briefly! We can report that Eliza is growing rapidly and is simply gorgeous. Russell continues to amaze us with his vocabulary and energy. Hope you are re-energized and ready for new adventures.