2023 was a year of significant transition for our family, and it was a year that we were fortunate to explore many new places. In 2013, when our family moved from Virginia to Kuwait for work, we thought we would live overseas for 5 years, and then 10 years later, after living in Kuwait, Jordan, and Turkey, we completed our tours abroad and transitioned back to the US in late June. Living overseas the past 10 years has been an experience we are tremendously thankful for. Over the years, we explored many places we never imagined seeing, experienced new people and cultures, and made some good friends that were like family to us. We knew that living far away would come with sacrifices for us and for our families, and we are grateful for their understanding and willingness to come visit us wherever we were. In 2024, we look forward to being close to family and friends, establishing new family traditions, and exploring the US. Before we leave 2023 behind, here is a recap of our year:
We rang in the new year in Captown, South Africa, exploring the most southwestern tip of Africa, we visited amazing beaches, saw penguins and baboons, and the kids took surfing lessons on a historic beach. In March, we visited the tiny island of Mauritius, off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, where we swam and snorkeled in crystal blue waters, swam with dolphins, visited a nature preserve, took a safari, and visited a rainforest. In April, Caleb had the opportunity to attend a NASA sponsored space camp in Izmir, Turkey with his school, and while he was there, Nathan and I escaped by ourselves to Istanbul, where we walked the city for 2 days straight exploring as many sites as we could, and touring the Bosporus by boat. A couple weeks later, Mark and Betty came to visit. After exploring Ankara, we traveled to explore the fairy chimneys and old church dwellings of Cappadocia, and had the unique opportunity to see the hot air balloons fly over the valley at sunrise one morning with stunning views. Nathan and his parents went on a 3 trip to see the historic seven churches of early Christianity in the western part of Turkey, and I took them to Istanbul for a couple days seeing the historic sites, taking a tour of the Bosporus, and exploring the streets and markets.
In May, the movers packed us out of our home in Ankara, a little over a month before we departed. We typically pack out 1-2 weeks before leaving a post, but this time we decided to do it earlier than usual to avoid the last minute rushing around and stresses of moving. We were happy with the choice because it gave us more time to enjoy the things we love about Turkey, and spend time with people. In June, Nathan and I took a trip by ourselves to Kars, a small old city in eastern Turkey near the Armenian border and stayed in a hotel that was the plot for the novel we read called ‘Snow,’ written by a Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, inspiring us to visit the city. One day we walked the streets of the city, visited shops, and ate local foods, and another day we took a day trip to the ancient Ani ruins on the Turkey/Armenian border, where we explored old Georgian and Armenian churches and took in the beauty of the spring flowers that just came in bloom. We practically had the entire place to ourselves and explored for hours. In June, Eliza graduated preschool from Minik Devler, and Caleb and Benjamin had their last days of 5th and 4th grade at Oasis International. We are so thankful for the wonderful schools and nurturing teachers, and for the friends they made over the years and they are ready to start kindergarten, 5th grade, and 6th grade - middle school! Following school, we took a quick trip to Çeşme in western Turkey and swam in the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea, and explored the charming surrounding beach towns. Our last couple weeks in Ankara, we said goodbyes to friends, and to Kadem and her family, who became like family to us during our time in Turkey. Kadem and her daughter Ebru took great care of our family, and they loved our children like they were their own. We are so thankful for their sweet family, and we will miss them very much. In late June, we departed Turkey and landed in Chicago, where Mark and Betty greeted us and brought us to southern IL.
The boys enjoyed a lot of the summer in Herrin having fun with cousins and grandparents. The first couple of weeks there, Eliza, Nathan and I went to VA so we could start getting settled into our home, register kids for school, register cars, and we met with contractors to get some work done on our home before moving in. While we were in VA, the boys enjoyed swimming at various town pools, flipping on the diving boards, going to parks, attending vacation bible school, went to a baseball game, and ate lots of ice cream. Nathan, Eliza, and I came back to IL right before Caleb’s birthday, to celebrate our oldest turning 12 years old! We stayed in IL for a week together, and then Mark and Betty drove back with us and brought us some of their old furniture they had been holding, and helped us settle in the first couple days as our house work completed, and we we received our storage shipment.
In August the kids started school with Eliza in kindergarten, Benjamin in 5th grade, and Caleb starting middle school in 6th grade. It was their first time in a US school (aside from the quick quarter in IL when Eliza was born), and the transition overall has gone well. They went from small schools with class sizes of 12-15 students, to schools with upward of 850 in elementary and 1400 in middle school, but they have all taken it in stride, are adapting to the new school system, and have all made some nice friends. Right after school started, my parents came to visit for the week and my brother made a surprise visit for Eliza’s 5th birthday. We enjoyed having them here to be involved with our daily routine, we got to explore the local area and visit Harper’s Ferry, then my brother stayed for a few extra days. Everyone had fun hiking, visiting DC, and kayaking with Uncle Aaron.
In the fall, we had lots of family celebrations and the kids started new activities. In September, Benjamin started soccer and Caleb and Eliza started gymnastics, which has been very enjoyable for everyone. At the end of the month, we celebrated Nathan’s 43rd birthday, and the wonderful husband and father that he is. Nathan started work the end of September, and we thoroughly enjoyed time off together. Nathan loves doing projects and he did a lot of work in the yard and around the house during his time off. In October we celebrated our 14 year anniversary and Benjamin’s 11th birthday, and took a quick trip to Williamsburg, VA, and I started work. The boys also started Jiu Jitsu and enjoy going to practice multiple times a week. In November, Mark and Betty came for a visit and got to see gymnastics and Benjamin’s last 2 soccer games, and then my parents and Aaron visited us for Thanksgiving. In December, we enjoyed some local winter activities and took a quick trip to IL the day after Christmas and enjoyed spending time with everyone, to include Ed, Ron, and Nancy.
2023 was an unforgettable year filled with much happiness and some sadness with events around the world. In 2024 I pray for peace for all nations and to find peace in Christ’s love, and to enjoy God's goodness. It has been a full and busy year and I am looking forward to 'being and staying' in 2024. Wising you a blessed, healthy, and safe 2024!
