They Are My Children Again

They have finally braved the new world and played in the park across the street. I think boredom finally overtook their fear and drove them outside of the courtyard.

They began their day in the back courtyard, nice and safe, but the sounds of others playing got the better of them so they opened the gate, As I watched them, they began to look out to see what the other children were doing but not going out. Their pauses at the gate became longer and longer.

Finally, a football rolled through the gate and got Chao lei’s attention. A young boy, I later discovered his name is Inigo, came to the gate to retrieve the ball. He asked if Chao lei and Jun wanted to play. Chao lei did not hesitate to go. Jun was a little more reluctant. She did accompany her brother out to play but at first holding on to his shirt tail.

The ice finally broken, the children that I am more familiar with emerged and they forgot their fears. Jun even broke away from her brother to meet some girls on her own

Here I might mention that the local children are accustomed to meeting English speakers, so they assume everyone they meet speaks only English. They seemed quite delighted that Chao lei and Jun spoke some Spanish. I believe the children’s language skills will increase quickly as they learn from their playmates. Already they use words I do not know. I suppose I will improve my skills through secondhand teaching.

I am more relaxed on discovering that mothers here do not allow their children to wander at will. They are limited to the park which is surrounded by our houses, and all have a clear view of it. In addition, there is generally at least one mother in the park always but usually more. And they pay close attention to who is there. My children attracted the attention of several mothers whose mission became to discover where they were from and whose children they were. I have not seen better reasons to meet your neighbors.

In our greetings, I discovered we are the only non-Spanish family in the neighborhood. These ladies are happy for that since we are here for some time, and it means no tourists will reside in the neighborhood. It seems the British on holiday (the most common visitor) can be annoying. It seems we also won some neighbor points because we began learning Spanish before we arrived.

Again, I have been approached by a recruiter, this time a Marine. I understand it is their job but how do they find me? For the second time I had to tell them I was not interested. I do not feel the call to serve. I have a husband to support that is serving, I have children to care for, and a household to manage. I left the university because of the lack of time for raising my children. Becoming a serving Marine or even Navy officer would return me to that predicament. Thank you but no thank you.

Jared and I will be taking the children to Puerto de Santa Maria tomorrow and explore our first city together. It will likely be the last for a time. The change of Command ceremony is Wednesday. After that, who knows when he will leave? We, meaning me and the children, will return to exploring without him. Again, I will learn the base before he does.

Week 26 and all is well. My ultrasound confirms  that Su is indeed a girl and is growing normally. I only wish the resurging heartburn would at least lessen a bit. The lack of sleep is manageable. I take full advantage of siesta time.Now if only could get Jared to develop taste in music. Su is following her brother's lead in learning how to kick me when he plays his particular brand of... music.

It is starting out to be an enjoyable assignment and it seems we will settle in quite nicely with the neighbors. Even though it is not CONUS, I am happy we are here.