gifts from family ~traveled thousands of miles

Gifts have arrived from overseas.

Admiring her Pinocchio marionette that Baki sent from her recent trip to Rome.

This beautiful ballerina outfit from auntie in Serbia 

sunglasses and books also from Baki

These books will be another opportunity for hubby to speak Croatian to Beli. ( more on that later)

A very happy girl indeed.
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PS. yeah it's Friday!...going to work and afterwards will be cooking dinner for three, maybe will try this for dessert? Apple cranberry pie with pecan crumb topping
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 What plans do you have this weekend?

Sunday reflection~Adjusting

It's been 5 months since our return from overseas. 

I miss the smell of the Adriatic sea.

Walks along the pebbly beach.

The spontaneously manner of calling friends and meeting for coffee without arranging weeks in advance.

Social interactions with my in-laws.

Baki time for Beli.

I want to continue learning Croatian.

At times, adjusting has been met with resistance.

Trying to keep a balance with family and friends while desperately looking for a job to pay the bills.

Luckily just last week I received a job offer.

But I don't want to be enslaved to this new job. 

Ironic?

I want to have Croatia in my mind and heart at all times.

Yes, I'm nostalgic. 

My family knows its been a difficult transition, but they have lovingly supported us.

I wish I could scoop them up in my palm and have them near us. 

One day. 

For now, I want to savor this moment.

This feeling of gratefulness.

For our healthy  girl, our Beli, who fills our hearts with her laugh and smile and erases the pain we at times feel for being so distant from both of our families. 

 ~

And warm wishes to my Father-in-law, it's his birthday today!

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