We Made It To Sicily, Italy!
We made it! Whew!
What an adventure it was getting here! After all of our hurdles and set backs of getting here (EFMP enrollment, medical delays, confusion between army/navy/marines/nato/civilian world/etc, passports and visas), and then physical traveling around the world by myself with three kids... I wondered if we would ever make it here in the first place. So after leaving California in May, spending the summer in Michigan with family, and waiting patiently for our official visa's to be completed... we finally were able to travel to meet Patrick in Italy on August 7th!
Considering everything happening around us and in the world, we are definitely counting our blessings every day. We were able to make it here safely, we are together again as a family, we have air conditioning, a roof over our head, food, a view of Mt. Etna, and a great community of other American's as neighbors.
Our HHG's (House Hold Goods) left California in May and have still not arrived. The inconvenience is getting super annoying, but fortunately the military provides us with loaner furniture like beds, dressers, tables and couches. Since Patrick was here for 2 months before we got here, he also got settled in with buying some new TVs, games for the kids, and other things that just make life seem a little more "normal."
What are we doing here?
Well, we got stationed here in Sigonella, Sicily, for 3 years for Patrick to work with NATO. Working with NATO will allow us a lot of great opportunities as a family to travel, a more family-friendly job than we've ever had before (recruiting was awful, followed by a 8 month deployment, separation for 2 months during the move... we are ready for some good family time), and Patrick is excited about the mission he is doing with NATO.
We have always dreamed of doing an OCONUS move, and even though Patrick was about to get out of the Army, they dangled this opportunity to us like a carrot... and we bit. How could we pass up a chance to live in Sicily?!
How do we like it so far?
LOVE IT. Again, maybe it's because we are just finally together again, but we are so happy. The big girls start school soon, and we can't wait to get back into a nice routine. We have amazing new neighbors, the streets are filled with kids all the time. There are at least 8 playgrounds in the housing community. The Italians we've met have been so incredibly kind and fun.
I've had some intense and overwhelming trips into town, driving is definitely very different, and things move at a pace we aren't used to.
Once we learn the laungage better, and can truly feel settled with our "stuff" i know we are going to really feel at home.
Will we get to travel?
YES!! We already have 3 trips planned, and more are being booked! We are going to be traveling the beautiful towns of Sicily, and even have a trip to Germany booked for next month!
Thanks for following along on our adventures, until next time, ciao, ciao!
