Christmas At Home

For the past four years we have celebrated Christmas overseas.  There were two years in Holland and two years in Dubai.  We loved our Christmas celebrations and kept many of our old traditions with us while also creating new ones.  Wherever we were, we always had a wonderful Christmas because we were together.

This year we are back at home in Texas.   Unpacking our Christmas decorations was so much fun.  We had not brought ANY decorations with us overseas, so the ornaments, village, Santas, snowmen, and stockings had all been packed away in storage all this time.   It seemed as if every box we opened brought another round of smiles and laughs.  When we opened Kevin's boxes, there were actually reminder notes of "what to do in 2008!".  Little did we know that we wouldn't see those notes until 2012!  Just too funny.

One of the things we have enjoyed the most about being 'home' is the Christmas lights.  I really don't know if there are more lights this year than there were five years ago and the neighbors have just all decided to do it up big, bigger, and biggest, or if I just plain and simple took the decorations for granted.   In any case, the drive through Friendswood is just wonderful.  I have tried very hard to take pictures to share.  Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, the pictures just do not do the home decorations justice.  I hope you are still able to look at the pictures, close your eyes, and imagine just how truly beautiful (or weird), they are.

This is how Santa comes to Friendswood!  On a fire truck and giving away treats to kids and dogs alike!

Beautiful house.  Every door and window outlined in lights. 

This house is a little overdone.  Don't quite understand why the reindeer have to stand in the trees!

Biggest Santa I have ever seen!

This house is MASSIVE and has all of their trees outlined in blue lights.  Words can't describe....

We kept looking at this.  Just don't get it!  How does people dancing in front of a board celebrate Chrismas?

This is the Griswolds house.  All to music and WAY overdone.  Could not get a picture of all the stuff!

I love the "light" tree.  My dad did this in our yard when I was little.

The school mascot is the mustang.  The blue mustangs bring Santa into town here! 

Not many nativity scenes in town, but this one would win my vote for best.

True Reindeer games! 

My dog, Shadow, loves this! She stops on her walk and just stares at all the movements.

I found in our "elf" box the Christmas lists the kids had left for Santa.  When they were little, they just had to cut out pictures from ads of their 'wants".  Made it SO easy!

This is tree #1 in my house.  Only nine feet tall this year.  It holds all of our very special ornaments.

This is my international tree.  Only one US ornament, one of the Texas flag.  All the other ornaments were bought on our travels overseas.

Finally put a tree in my room.  Just snowflakes and ornaments to match the colors of the room.

This is the game room tree.  All homemade ornaments and favorite disney and special event ornaments picked out by the kids. 

There are two more big trees in Sarah and Brian's rooms which hold their very special ornaments.  Kevin's room and the guest room only have 4 1/2 foot trees due to space limitations.

Christmas in Texas has been wonderful.  I have loved the crazy hustle and bustle.  I have enjoyed hearing the kids in the mall laugh, cry, and plead "please tell me what I did wrong!".  I enjoyed seeing a man shopping in his one piece footy pajamas yesterday.  I had tears in my eyes when I was finally singing the solo "O Holy Night" at church again.

Being away was wonderful, but being home is pretty incredible too.  I think I did not know how very much I missed it until I had to miss it no more.   Being home takes away nothing from the wonderful memories of our Christmas' abroad. We cherish every one of those moments equally as much as we do our little "to do in 2008" notes.

I wish all of my friends a wonderful, blessed Christmas.  May your new year be filled with everything your heart desires, but especially friends, family, good health and happiness.  

With love...
Carol

Cookies and Lemonade

We all know the phrase "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade".  For the person that makes great lemonade we say "she is a tough cookie".   As 2012 is drawing to a close, I have to say that my family has had enough lemonade and cookies - come on 2013!

Our year started out great.  We were finishing up our expat assignment in Dubai.  The family had made a list of the things we had to see and do before we moved back home.  We didn't miss a beat!  We shopped, we traveled, and we had checked all of the boxes.   Kevin was graduating from our wonderful American School of Dubai and his final year had been so much fun!  There were a flurry of activities and a great group of "senior moms" who were on a mission to make this final year the BEST EVER!   I still smile when I think about it.

We headed back to the States at the end of June.  About the time we were packing up the house, I became aware that my mom was having some health issues.  My sister kept me informed daily as to the happenings back at home, but by the time I landed on June 20th, it became apparent I was needed at mom's place in Florida.  I headed out five days later.  This seems to be when things turned sour.

Over the next few weeks my sister and I took my mom to many doctor visits and decided (told) she needed to live near one of us.  My mom was diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease.  If you have not heard of it, go ahead and google!   It is the 2nd most common form of a dementia illness, just behind Alzheimers.  After living in Florida for 34 years, it was decided mom would become a Texan.  I returned back to Texas and started looking for an assisted living facility for mom.  I found a wonderful place.  It was so much more like an apartment complex than a "facility" that mom should truly be happy there.  The story of the actual move is quite long and detailed, but in summary, she came, she saw, she conquered!  She handled the move with true grace and strength.  Toughest cookie around! 

Within the next month, my brother-in-law had a stroke and Kevin had a bike accident at school.  In October Sarah was diagnosed with epilepsy and my nephew required major surgery on his shoulder.   All of this was happening while we were working on settling back into our house and trying to turn it into the loved home it once was, instead of the rental house it had become.

I feel my family has had their fair share of lemonade this year.  There have been a few other challenges along the way, my sister got shingles, my dog got attacked by another dog, and a few challenges at mom's place that will remain unspoken.  Through it all I have become so proud of my family and so thankful for what we have.  Every time we have been faced with another challenge, we have all pulled together.  We have been supportive of one another.  We have demonstrated that we are a family of tough cookies.  Now I do realize how incredibly blessed we are.  Our challenges have been minor compared to those faced by others, but these are ours.  Since we are never given more than we can handle, these challenges fit us just right!

I did not write this for pity or sadness.  I put this down in writing as a reminder to myself that my family can and will handle "it"....whatever "it" may be.   We are always there for each other and always will be.  As for 2013.....come on cake and ice cream - I am ready for a change! 

 

My Name is Carol.

When you are an expat it is inevitable that you will change.  Your tastes will change, you may develop a new look, you most certainly develop a new outlook on the world.  But the most recognizable change is in some of our habits.   In our house, my husband still likes to greet us in the morning with a little dutch "Goedemorgen".  When we are awaiting the arrival of a repair person, or friend, we know they will arrive at the designated time, followed by an arabic "inshallah".   These words have just become part of our vocabulary.

While away, I did develop one other little habit.  I didn't think it was a problem until just recently.  My habit is telling people my name.  I find myself constantly introducing myself to strangers.  Sometimes I receive a return greeting, most commonly is this kind of puzzled look.

So now I feel the need to defend my actions!  When you live abroad and your children attend an international school, the majority - probably 90% - of the school's population are expats.  Our last school had students and families from over 60 countries.  We all had a common bond....we are not in our home country.  You can make friends very easily in an international school.  The two campus we attended required security passes to gain access to the buildings.  Once on the grounds, you could always find moms having meetings, having coffee, and sometimes just using the cafeteria as a gathering place.   There was always someone to talk to.   If you walked into the room and did not know someone's name, it is not at all unusual to walk up to them, smily and introduce yourself.  The conversation from that point on flowed pretty easily.  We could talk about where we were from, where we have lived, and then, of course, the ages of our kids.  If it was nearing a holiday, you could ask for trip advice or if family was coming to visit.  The ability to find a topic of discussion is SO easy.   I loved finding friends in the cafeteria.  I loved hearing the stories from other people about the wonderful places they have lived and traveled.

Then I came home.   Parents are not allowed on the high school campus during lunch hours.  You can not enter the building to just walk around, talk with people, and see what is happening on campus.  The school is for kids!  Really!  I had grown accustomed to the school being a social gathering place!  It feels so strange to be locked out. 

So here is where the problem began.  I volunteered to work the concession stand during a football game.  I was actually looking forward to it as I would finally get to meet some new parents.  We would make popcorn, laugh, and get to know one another.  Our friendships would blossom!!   So here is the scene, I walk in, smile and say "Hi, I am Carol Chew".   Response "Make sure you sign in on the board outside and then decide whether you want to work up front or make nachos."   Wait, What?   Ok, so maybe she was too busy to talk.  I proceeded to take my place up front and introduce myself to the other worker bees.  Nods, a few smiles, and first names only.   My heart kind of sank.  I went home a bit frustrated, but that was only one experience.  I had another opportunity to make friends at the upcoming band dinner.  I volunteered to work from 3-5.  I walked in, set down my purse, and stepped up to the woman who appeared to be in charge.  I introduced myself "Hi, I am Carol Chew".   Response "OK, I need you to scoop cobbler and then make lemonade."  Wait, What?  Now, who is this person?  Who are all these people??   So, I scooped cobbler, made lemonade and went home.

People are not being rude, really.  They are just being people.  They have lived in this same town probably most of their lives.  They have been running things at the school for years and already have their tight, closed group of friends.  I am a stranger.  

One more try....the following week I went into the concession stand.  I introduced myself  "Hi, I am Carol Chew".   Response "OK, be sure to sign in and.."  I interrupt....."Wait!   Who are you??"   She told me her first name and then proceeded with directions for my job.  Funny, now I don't even remember her name.  It was the only conversation we had.    At this point I am now really frustrated and discouraged.  How exactly do you make friends here?    Later in the week I walked into the school reception area to drop off something for Sarah.   As I made conversation with the receptionist I said "I have not met you yet, my name is Carol Chew".  Response, "I am always here."   What an odd name!  So nice to meet you "Always Here.  Do you have children at the school?".    Not so funny.  AND - I still don't know her name.

That night I went out to dinner with my friends, not shiny, new friends, but the good old true friends, I complained about the lack of introductions in this town.  I relay my stories about how no one will introduce themselves.  I am perceiving this as rude, unjust, and just really sad.  I may have returned to my old town, but I am still new and I WANT FRIENDS!   The girls laugh and offer one piece of advice "QUIT TELLING PEOPLE YOUR NAME!".    

That night I think it over.  I guess they are right.  Friendships here at home grow slowly, gradually, and very carefully.  There is no need to make friends quickly.  Being an expat sparks the desire to connect and make our home-away-from-home family.  That is no longer the world I live in.   Ugh.  How sad.  But I will try, I will conform, I promise myself I will adjust.   And, I did try, for almost 24 hours.  Of course the next night I did catch myself introducing myself to a couple in line at the haunted house.   Guess I'll try again tomorrow.  But....know this world.....I AM CAROL! 

"I got it! I can do it!"

From the time our children are born we teach them how to do things on their own.  We clap and cheer when they take their first steps.  We are so delighted when they can feed themselves, and we are over the  moon when they learn to use the potty!  Woohoo!  Our baby is growing up.   While it is wonderful to celebrate their learning to be independent, there comes a day when it all comes back to haunt you......welcome to the College Drop Off!

Kevin is now a freshman at Texas Tech.  His senior year at ASD was so much fun.  The parents (read moms) were awesome.  Together the Senior Moms planned get togethers, passed out treats, and held celebrations for our kids.  We were so excited for them to finish high school.  As the Senior Year drew to a close, the moms became more and more sensitive.  A song on the radio could bring a tear.  I, however, never shed a one.  Kevin was quite disappointed that I did not cry as he tried on his graduation gown, as he took his Senior Picture, and has he walked down the aisle of the auditorium.  He kept asking me if I was going to be sad at his leaving for college.  Silly boy...he ended up with more than he bargained for!
 
As our children grow and begin to demonstrate their independence, we are really happy for them and for ourselves.   We love that we can leave them alone overnight while going out for a grown-up date night.  While we begin the driving process with extreme fear, we quickly learn to rely on our new driver.  They can take themselves to their own events and also help transport the siblings all over town.  Another Woohoo moment!
Their personal milestones are also our milestones.  We are proud of ourselves for raising independent young adults.  

Then, the go away.....

We brought Kevin to Freshman check-in this past weekend.  I was prepared both mentally and physically.  I knew we would be carrying LOTS of stuff to his room (that is the physical).   From listening to my sister and my friends with kids in college, I knew Kevin would not want us hanging around.  He would want to set up his room on his own (that is the mental).  OK - I am ready - Let's Go!

We carried all of his 'stuff' to his college dorm room.  It was shocking to me how used it looked.  I knew the rooms would be small, even though Kevin is in a large suite in the Honors dorm.  But I expected it to be new, clean, and fresh; just like my freshman.  Instead it was old, used, and a bit dusty.  Didn't seem to bother Kevin a bit.  His eyes focused on HIS place.  His first home away from home.  His first step out of our nest.  We delivered all of his items, asked what he needed help with.  I was grateful that I was asked to put together his bed.  See...he still needs me.  Kevin and Jim began assembling shelves.  They are the kind that don't even need tools.  Within minutes I heard Kevin saying..."no dad, I got it, I can do it".   Jim quickly backed down, understanding this new attitude and took a seat only to observe.  The decision was made that Jim and Kevin could put together things for the room, but not together!  Jim had his projects and Kevin had his.  When it was all said and done, I asked how else we could help.  Put clothes in the closet, unpack a box, hang the shower curtain.  Again those words rang in my ears...."I got it.  I can do it."

This little boy who I had proudly raised to be an independent young man was ready.  Ready to fly.  Ready to be on his own.  Ready to conquer the world, make new friends and (in the words of my now favorite son, Brian) ready to start the first chapter in his own book.   Where, I wonder, is my woohoo?  Why are there tears in the place of cheers?   He has become the strong person I wanted.  QUICK!  Let's rewind and knock him down when he starts taking his first steps.  Let's tell him "NO" when he picks up a spoon, and....ok, I'll let the potty training progress as planned!  Let's just slow down time a little.

Jim and I stopped by Kevin's room before leaving town the next day.  Kevin had spent the night before setting everything up.  He was so proud, so excited.  It was his own.  As we said our good-byes, the tears poured out.  Not a pretty, TV actress cry, but a puffy, red-eyed cry.  I gave Kevin a hug and just never wanted to let go.   But I did.   I let go.  I told him how proud of him I am.  How I know he will do great.  How I know he will love being in college and will face every challenge head-on.   Then I told him I am just a phone call away....just in case. 

He got it.  He can do it.  Jim and I are proud knowing we raised him to be this strong, independent young man.  I just wish we didn't do it so fast. 

Our Repatriation

When I hear the word "repatriate" my mind translates to THE Patriots and I automatically picture Jim's favorite football team or the old soldiers in the heavy blue wool uniforms.  No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to relate 'that' word to moving back home.   Repatriate?  Hmmm....maybe that is what is causing my odd reaction to our arriving back in the US.  If it were only that simple!

I have read so much about repatriating.  I have read books and articles and attended lectures all in preparation for this major event.  I have prepared myself and my children for the emotional roller coaster that we were about to board.  I have told them we would experience the same feelings as when we first became expats.  We would be excited, go through the "honeymoon" stage where every shopping trip, grocery store visit, and drive down the street is just wonderful.  We would then need to be prepared for the difficult adjustment of blending in with our 'old' friends, our new friends, and the return to a home town situation that is the same, but very different.  We were prepared....we were ready...bring it on.

As the time to move back to the US drew closer, I would dream of our arrival back at Intercontinental Airport in Houston.  I imagined getting off of the plane, jumping into each others' arms and crying with the tears of extreme happiness and excitement.  In the final weeks of our Dubai assignment, everytime I heard the song "Wave Your Flag" I would cry.  Oh, how I missed our flag and how I could not wait to see it hung so proudly everywhere you looked.  So much joy was just around the corner.   

As we began our "final descent into Houston", I did begin to cry.  I was not crying those tears of joy and excitement though.  The tears were of sadness of what I had left behind in my "expat" life.  I immediately missed Dubai, our incredible school, and the wonderful friends I had made over the past two years.  Those friends were our family for the past two years.  I already missed them.    When we entered the airport, there were not flags everywhere, just people.  People in regular clothes, people who looked like us; the sea of women in  black and men in white was gone.  Instead of feeling overwhelming happiness, I felt out of place, a little confused.  I just felt like maybe I didn't belong.   I was now looking at Houston through critical eyes.  The billboards, the one little mall in town, and the lack of shine and sparkle....they were all gone.  What in the world was happening to me?  Why wasn't I bubbling with pride over being home?   I still just don't get it.  The books SAID I would be excited.  They SAID I would feel overwhelming happiness...before the sadness.  They said this and that and I believed them! 

The past two weeks have been filled with car shopping, phone shopping, and sending Sarah off to camp.  The weeks have also been filled with the reality that I have an aging mother who needs a lot of care.   It has been busy.  It has been overwhelming.  It has been reality.  Just saying that outloud makes me reflect on the past four years and what a dream they have been.  For four years we have traveled the world, met people from everywhere, and experienced things I never even dreamed of.   We truly have lived in a dream world.  We were not living a true reality. 

Being an expat made us special, made us different.  It gave you an opening line with everyone you meet.  When people asked you where you live, how cool to say "Dubai".  WOW...impressive.  Our summers were spent shopping for the items we missed, the clothes we couldn't find (at reasonable prices), and reconnecting and sharing stories with our friends and family.  Then before you knew it, off we would go, back to dreamland.  Back to the place where you miss home, miss conveniences, but are feeling such excitement over the experiences before you.  This is not the repatriation I was promised!  This is not the feeling I expected, prepared for, and anticipated.

All of that being said, we are all fine.  We are all adjusting.  The kids have reconnected with their old friends, already have made new friends, and seem to have found their way rather quickly.   They are really happy.   I know there is still a lot ahead for us to navigate.  Kevin's departure to Texas Tech, Sarah and Brian both going to a new High School, Jim's great reduction in travel and his being around more, and my new role as a caregiver for my mom. 

It is our new life.  It is our old-new life.  Our expat life is over.  That life is something few people we meet now will ever know about, will ever ask about, or ever be interested in hearing about.  I am OK with that..really.  The past experiences will never be forgotten and will be relived over and over at the family dinner table and  in our stories with each other.  Our expat friends will remain our expat friends.  I smile when I read of their excitement over their summer visit home.  I will still experience their travels and adventures through Facebook updates and e-mails.  I  will smile as I reflect and remember being an expat.  It is kind of like our little family secret.   Then I will turn off the computer and go about our new-old life here at 'home'. 
     

The Journey

Where one journey ends, another begins.  

In every phase of our lives we make friends.   If you think back on your friends you can actually compartmentalize them.  We have our elementary school friends, our high school friends, our college friends, our work friends, our neighborhood friends, and our married couple friends.  Sometimes these friends can kind of overlap, but usually there are one or two people from each part of your life who stay with you, who remain not just a friend in your life, but your life long friend.  

Being an expat has made it easy to make friends.  We have a common bond.  We not only become friends, but we become each others' family.  We share our happy times, our sad times, our holidays.   We celebrate the accomplishments of our children together as well as hold each other during the difficult and disappointing  days.  We experience a whole new life that really few can understand.    The friendships I have gained being an expat are irreplaceable.  I feel truly blessed to have had this experience and to have given this experience to my children.  To have opened their eyes to a world and lifestyle that I didn't even know existed. 

So thank you to my friends, my fellow expats.   To my first expat friends, Sally and Louise, who taught me how to buy cinnamon in Holland!  To Emily and Trinka who were the lifelines back to my familiar Texas and Naperville life.  And to all my new friends who are TOO many to name.  My friends have taught me how to be an expat.  How to be brave and jump right in.  How to explore, embrace, and love this sometimes scary and frustrating experience.  We have shared so very much.  So many ups and downs.  So many laughs, lunches, tears and travels.   I shall miss you all so much.  My heart hurts to think of leaving you while at the same time leaps at the thought of being back where life is easy and familiar.   I will be following you on facebook and now living vicariously through your travel logs and posts.

For Good....from Wicked

 I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

It well may be,

That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

 

Thank you my friends.......

 

The BEST Travel Agent!

I have the absolute best travel agent.   Hands down, no questions asked, not in the running, not almost, but THE best.  I love him.  I mean I really, really love him.  Over the past four years my travel agent has booked our family vacations to over 16 different countries.  He has put us on buses, trains, segways, bobsleds, skis, and boats.  He knows how to keep a family with three teenagers happy, even when looking at pottery in Poland.  Yup...he is the best.  Sorry though, he is exclusively mine.  My travel agent is Jim, my awesome husband!

Four years ago when Jim asked us if we wanted to move overseas, we were all so excited for the opportunity to be able to travel, see the world, or as many parts of it as our time and budget would allow.  As our expat adventure is coming to an end, we have been spending lots of time reliving our favorite trips.  We are laughing about our favorite and not-so-favorite hotels, restaurants, and outdoor adventures.  Not one trip would any of us describe as bad.  Not one trip would we wish we would have skipped.  Amazingly enough we all agree that we have been very blessed and are very fortunate to have seen so much.  We also agree that Daddy is an amazing trip planner.

This blog contains lots and lots of pictures.  It is my own personal record of the wheres and whens, just in case time sneaks in and tries to make me forget.

August 2008 -  Arrive in Holland.  We lived in a small town, Wassenaar.  It was just outside of Den Haag.

During our October break in 2008, Jim took us to London, Stonehenge, and Cornwall.  We took the Harry Potter Tour, celebrated Sarah's birthday at Longleat and went up in the London Eye.

For Christmas break, 2008, Jim thought it would be great for the kids to learn how to ski and/or snowboard.  We headed to the French Alps (where else?)!  

In February we took a quick trip to Brugge, Belgium.  It was a short ride from home and beautiful.  We had a great time in their ice village. 

 

Spring break in April took us to Normandy.  Sarah and I did NOT want to go; I mean it was all going to be war stuff, right?  Jim pushed through the plans and assured us we would have a great time.  Hate to admit it (ever!), but he was right!  We loved Normandy. 

After our two summer months in the US, we were back in Holland, excited to see what dad had planned next!  For our October break, we headed to Prague.  It was awesome!  We went on segway tours of the city, went bobsledding, and took a detour over to Poland for mom to buy some pottery!  

 Christmas break took us to Rome.  It was just amazing.  This trip definitely ranks in the top three of the Chew family vacations!

 For spring break in April, we headed to Paris.  Jim took a small detour back to Holland for business, so the kids and I forced ourselves to take in EuroDisney!  We LOVE Mickey!

We took another whirlwind summer trip  home, Chicago, Rhode Island, and of course, Texas.  When we returned to Holland, we had just a few short weeks to get the house in order and head east - Middle East that is.  We moved to Dubai in August, 2010.   The summer was hot and it was Eid, so we really could not do that much exploring.  The kids and I took diving lessons and all became certified divers.  We could now add one more activity to the list of things we could do with Daddy!

We had a sudden change in the school calendar and found ourselves with a free week in November.  Jim announced we would be heading to Kenya.  I can not even begin to describe this trip.  We stayed in the most amazing resort with individual cabins (I can't think of a better word) built right into the hillside.  We went on several game drives and our own driver was amazed that we saw so much.  Animals he hadn't seen in months came out for us.  Not sure how Jim arranged that!  

In December we took a trip to Jordan.  It was amazing!  We walked through Petra for hours, floated in the Dead Sea and were able to stand on the very spot where Jesus was baptized.   Perfect Christmas holiday.

Sarah, Brian, and I toured Dubai over our spring break while Jim was working and Kevin was in Sri Lanka with the Habitat for Humanity.  After our two month holiday in the States, we stopped in Barcelona for some much needed family time.  Felt like we hadn't been together on a trip in SO long!   Barcelona was great, although the image of the naked old man on the beach has been burned into Sarah's memory forever! 

Our next school break was at Christmas.  We loaded up the cars, gave Kevin some 'road time' behind the wheel, and headed to Oman.  It was beautiful.  Kevin met up with an old friend he knew in Holland who now lives in Oman.  The rest of us took an amazing dolphin watching boat ride.  Beautiful resort and wonderful family time once again.

Our final expat vacation will be to Edinburgh, Scotland.  When we board the plane after that, the final stop will be Houston, Texas; more commonly called Home.  

While my wonderful travel agent has truly shown us so many amazing places, through school sports, field trips (yes, field trips - Week Without Walls they are called), and a few side trips, one or more of us have had the opportunity to visit Norway, Sweden, Denmark,  Luxembourg, Germany, India, Tanzania, Croatia, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Portugal, Lebanon, and Singapore.

Thank you to my sweet husband and awesome travel agent.  What a gift you have given to your family.  We can't wait to see what is next....no pressure!!! 

Love Always....