Sorry, I've been away from the blog yet again. Vassil was away the entire month of April. Yes, an entire month. He was in Ireland again for business for 3 weeks, then decided to spend another week in London and Bulgaria visiting family. We were SO happy for him to be able to be with family. But, I won't lie. It was hard on us.
It amazing how when your spouse is away you realize how much weight they really do pull. And it was hard too not having someone to talk to day in and day out and being with the children 24/7. Of course, they had preschool for 3 of the 4 weeks, which really helped. But one week was Spring Break so they were home that entire week. Whew! Anyway, to help, we had lots of playdates and met up with some friends for dinner a few nights. And actually, after about a week and a half, we kinda started to get into our groove. Wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. Hard. But you manage. It definitely gave me a whole new appreciation for single moms, and the families of deployed service men and women. I can't imagine how they manage. A month seems like so little time when I think about it in that light.
When it was time to pick up daddy from the airport, the kids were VERY excited. Elizabeth picked out these roses to give to daddy. Its such a weird "full circle" feeling to me to see my daughter give my husband roses at the airport. He used to give ME roses at the airport when I'd fly out to see him when we were still dating. Now here we are...
Liam, sweet, boy counted down the minutes. And each person who came through the security door, he'd say, "That's not my daddy.... That's not my daddy.... That's not my daddy, either."
Finally, he came through the doors, and the kids were SO happy. Sorry, didn't get a pic. Liam literally tried climbing over this glass partitian, and there were lots of squeals for "daddddy!" Even from me! I wasn't even embarrassed by a room full of strangers waiting to pick up their loved ones. I was SO happy to see Vassil!
Anyway, the kids did not want to leave his side for DAYS after he came home. The one really good thing about Vassil leaving is that Liam turns into a big time mommy's boy, which I love. But as soon as he's home, he's back to being daddy's little shadow. They both love their daddy SO much!
Anyway, we were spoiled with lots of gifts from Vassil and other family members. European chocolate is a must. Vassil LOVES European chocolate. Let's see... some books/CDs in Bulgarian, a few different jerseys, and some miscellaneous toys.
Vassil also picked up some things from his grandpa's house in the village. Some poems and things his grandpa had written. Some towels his grandma had embroidered. A few rugs. And this (below) his grandpa's pillow, which sat on his grandpa's chair. Very special.
Vassil also shared with us so many awesome stories about his trip.
He got to catch up with old friends.
Chin Chin!
One day he and a buddy went swimming at the old pool where they used to swim as boys. Afterward, they decided to go knock on the apartment of their old swim coach to say hello. Believe it or not, he still lived in the same place and they got to stay and chat. He also got to go to his old neighborhood where he grew up before they moved to a newer apartment. His old apartment was actually for sale, and the neighborhood had really changed--lots of families and improvements to the area. More and more young people are moving to Sofia (capital) for jobs, and so things are looking better. Likewise, entrance into the European Union has also helped.
He also got to visit with LOTS of family in Bulgaria. He stayed with both aunts, and visited lots of cousins. He stayed in the city, and out in the Village too. He helped watch his baby nephew Hugo a few nights, and then later Hugo's sister, Elitsa who is ALMOST finished with all of her cancer treatments and waiting for the doctors to say she's in REMISSION! Praise the Lord! Vassil didn't take his camera (drat!) so we don't have any pictures. Just lots of stories. Wish I had time to post them all here.
Anyway, we are SO happy to have daddy home. I know he had a great time. And we hope one day we can travel with him overseas to visit family and to see where they are from. Kinda neat that he was in Ireland AND Bulgaria. And actually, while I knew I had Irish descent on both sides, my Grandma Mary informed me that we are not only Irish but that she was able to trace back our family to Cork... which is where Vassil was on business! Anyway, I think in the coming years if he ends up back at Cork, we might have to make it a family trip. Right now the kids are too little and wouldn't have any memory of it. But when they are older, it would be awesome to visit both places.
