home again, home again

No destination compares with the luxuries of home. The ability to get a drink of water, food from the cupboard, use the bathroom or stretch out on your own white sheets. To place your toothbrush back in the same spot, find your shampoo waiting for you in the shower, pull a favorite book off the shelf and throw dirty clothes in the washing machine embodies the simplest of pleasures.

Still, we’re feeling pretty spoiled taking the family overseas to visit Ben’s mission. Everything pulled together– Erik had business in Italy, my extraordinary friend Melissa offered her home in Geneva and hired me to shoot a trailer for her new book Global Mom (so much more about that in another post), beautiful Noémi was able to meet up with us in Geneva.

I doubt we’ll ever take a big family trip like this again. We are in the age of transition– missions, college, marriage, careers- by next summer Ben will have a job he can’t leave. So, as I always say: the best time is when you have the time (same goes for transplanting roses, learning Spanish, cleaning the garage, visiting the lake, etc.).

And since I’m feeling like a traveling pro right now (read: made lots of mistakes) and several people have asked for advice on international travel with kids, I’ll be writing some informational posts. But for today, just the slimmest overview.

(including one with bone decor)

 and drove through miles and miles of vineyards. Every hill has it’s own church and castle.

Rubbing the snout of this statue in Florence, supposedly ensures your return to this city of beauty. And one day, I’m sure we’ll make it back, but probably not together. Ben with his future wife, Xander with a school group, Gabe on his mission, etc. I’m glad we grabbed the brass ring and took this adventure of a lifetime. We won’t pass this way again.

p.s. Stefan was well aware he’d miss this trip, but is so happy in Russia he doesn’t care.