A. First and foremost, I haven’t gone crazy yet. I can still form a (mostly) coherent sentence…so there’s that!!!
B. We found a house!
It’s 3 miles from J’s work and .25 miles from the elementary school. Talk about a weight off of my shoulders! That’s a big check off of my to-do list.
We are planning to leave Italy in a couple of weeks, spend to days in London, and then on to Virginia.
Talk about a whirlwind!
So what am I up to?
Hmmm…mainly frantically checking things off of my massive to-do list. And then adding more things. It’s never-ending.
Also? We are in a bit of a buying frenzy. To say the least. I think everyone probably does this when they leave Italy.
Some of my favorite keepsakes?
WINE!!! Some of our favorite labels are only a few euros a bottle here and TRIPLE that in the states. So we are definitely stocking up, and we aren’t done yet!
We purchased some hand made copper pots that we personalized “the howell family kitchen”. We will pass them down to our daughters and they will be so loved.
Olive Oil, Italian antiques, Venetian masks, A special wine carafe, and a few handbags.
Again, these things are all a fraction of the price they will be back in the USA. So they are investments well worth making.
We have so many adjustments to make in the next few weeks. Speaking (and hearing) English. Things will move faster, louder, brighter. I’m overwhelmed and a bit scared, but mainly really really excited. It’s time to go home.
Love to you all.
xxo
Is there a limit to how much wine (consumable) you can mail?
Don’t think so. We got a permit for 350 bottles.
So excited for you as you embark on the next chapter of the Howell Family Adventure! Everything will be great and if things get overwhelming you do have all of that wine!
Thank you!
Best of luck and Welcome home!!!
Grazie Karen.
Best of luck with your move! I have read (and enjoyed:) your blog for many years. We live in Kensington, MD–less than a mile from Walter Reed NMMC. I’d love to meet in person some time! I have two girls ages 10 and 13.
Travel safe.
That would be wonderful!
Hugs to you! Will miss reading/seeing your wonderful Italian adventures, but excited for your new chapter!
us too!
Good luck with the move!
Thank you so much.
I am wishing you all the best during this busy, crazy, time for you all!!!
Good Luck!
Hugs, elizabeth:)
Thanks so much Elizabeth!
Oh wow. Good luck! This makes me a little sad. I know you have loved Italy and I have love love loved seeing/reading your adventures. I have to ask,….did you buy enough pots and pans for each daughter to have at least one?
Nope! Just for two- we’ll bribe them with them their entire lives! Just kidding…of course we got five!
Beautiful house! That’s great that you are so close to your husband’s work. My husband’s work is only a few miles from home, so he loves coming home from lunch, and not having a long commute and it gives him so much more time to spend with the kids! The DC area is so nice, can’t wait to hear about your new adventures!
Whoa, that would be super weird- we are used to him being gone from 3 am until 10 pm. HA!
I just adore your positive attitude! I’m so pleased that you made the most of your time in Italy and Europe, but that you are also so glad to be going home. And being English, I’m delighted that you’re going to stop off in London on your way back to the US. Hope you all enjoy it 🙂
We are super excited. Thank you!
I cannot even imagine what it is like to prep for an overseas move in 3 weeks. So glad the major items are getting checked off the list! The house looks amazing.
It’s crazy, but it’s all good!
To ease your wAy back, hit up the Shake Shack at Tyson’s Corner…….welcome back!
YESSSSSSSS
New adventures await you back home. Enjoy your last weeks in Italy. You might want to video some of the sounds there, especially of the people talking. Can you record the smells, too? Oh well, you’ll just have to soak it up and remember those. Love to you all as you say some special farewells.
Thanks Ruth. <3
Wishing you safe and fun travels to London and then to your new home back in the States. Hugs all around. Shopping sounds fun. 🙂
The house looks super sweet, I can’t wait to see what you do with all the gorgeous antiques you will be bringing into it.
It seems like you just left for Italy and we’re making all those preparations!! It should be so much easier coming back home! Thank you for sharing you LF journey, looking forward to reading how he kids adjust to coming back to the US!
And those pots are simply gorgeous!!
i’m so excited for you and a bit sad. You’ve been there so long and it’s been so amazing seeing and reading about all of your adventures. I’m glad you’re coming home though. There’s no place like home.
xx
How exciting! Best wishes to a safe and easy move. Here’s to another adventure 🙂
This is so exciting!!!! First, a grand adventure to Italy. Now you are leaving Italy, and heading back to the States for a new adventure. And those bowls. <3 lovely. Praying for you all as you check off your to-do lists and prepare for the new changes! <3
Am I mistaken, or are you about to skip Amsterdam altogether? So many things to see and do here, also for the littl’uns. Well at least I told you well in advance! You make moving house seem really easy! You have a nice mqnsion to look forward to!
That’s really a fantastic adventure for you and the girls… even if the to do lists are huge… and it will be so much easier as you go back to your own country…
This house looks gorgeous… plenty of space for the girls and you to keep crafting…
Wish you all the best for the next few weeks, moving, travelling and setting up…. and wait for the next photos impatiently…
Kisses from France…
Eugenie
Congratulations on finding a house! I would be sticking up, too, if I were in your position. 🙂 I hope things go as smooth as possible during the move. Can’t wait to see your pictures from London!
Stocking*
Love your new home. It is beautiful and looks perfect for your family. The back yard is awesome. Safe travels and God bless all of you.
You’re coming to London? Yay! If you fancied a meet-up and are free, let me know…I’d be more than happy to show the Howells some fun London places!
Best of luck with the move!! And welcome back to the States! We live in Richmond, Va-about 2 hours from Reston. It’s gorgeous here right now!! Hope everything goes well.
It’s been so fun seeing your adventures in Italy! Have a safe trip to Virginia.
How exciting, and what an absolutely gorgeous house. I hope the move goes well and that you have a wonderful time in London. CJ xx
You are so positive and calm. It’s refreshing and inspiring. Good luck with the move. It’s a beautiful time of year here! I’m in Maryland and look forward to reading about your adventures in my region! There is so much to do especially with young kids!
The house looks massive…so exciting! If you come anywhere near Enfield when you are in England come and say Hi. We are only 20 minutes from London. So many things to see…so little time. Hope all goes well. Xx
Good luck on your move. Just got home from a week in Italy yesterday. Came home with 7 purses from Venice. Loved seeing italy and know you will miss it. Thanks for keeping us up to date on your life.
Please elaborate on which kind of wine? What sort of handbags?! What sort of antiques? Is it hard to mail this sort of stuff back to the US?
Good luck with the move! I’ve truly enjoyed following your Italy adventure. Your blog is one of my favorite to follow. I just love your honest view of everything. Next time, if I see you at a convention, I’ll say hi, instead of being too shy to say hi (like I did when I saw you at the airport for CHA).