aprilpeavey11

Lawrence, Kansas

17 Days until our move to the Netherlands. Yesterday was my last day of work at KU. Moving boxes are piling up in the living room, and arrangements for goodbye dinners are being made. As I count down to our exciting, new adventure, I am struck with gratitude for the life I currently have; theContinue reading “Lawrence, Kansas”

Finding a Teaching Job Overseas:

DODEA vs Search Associates About 5 years ago, our family accepted International teaching jobs in Tunisia, North Africa through a recruitment company called Search Associates. We had a great experience living in Tunisia for 2 years before moving back to the States. It’s been great being back home in Kansas, around family and friends, butContinue reading “Finding a Teaching Job Overseas:”

What I Learned Being a Barista

Today was my last day working at Z’s Espresso. I only worked there for a couple of months. Although it may not have been a long lasting job, it made an impact. I’m glad I had the opportunity to be a barista just for a bit. I can remember on really difficult teaching days, I’dContinue reading “What I Learned Being a Barista”

Endings Lead to New Beginnings

I ended a big chapter in my life. After calling Tunisia home for two years, Justin and I ended our teaching contracts, we packed up our things, and said goodbye. On our final night in the house, I had my own little ceremony to represent all of the big feelings brimming under the surface. OverContinue reading “Endings Lead to New Beginnings”

Making Memories in Paris

We were fortunate enough to spend our Thanksgiving break in Paris this year. Planning a trip abroad with children has a different vibe than what I’d plan for my husband and me. If it were only Justin and I going, we’d be happy spending hours sitting in cafes and wandering around the city aimlessly. However,Continue reading “Making Memories in Paris”

“Selfish” Is Not A Bad Word

After 10 years of blood, sweat, and tears, spending nights and weekends at school, always putting my job first, and forming my identity around being a teacher, I clicked send on my resignation email at my old school district. And do you know what? I never even got a reply. Not even a “We willContinue reading ““Selfish” Is Not A Bad Word”

Home in Every Port

As we prepare to fly back to Tunis next week, I’ve been reflecting on the amazing summer we’ve enjoyed. Cramming a year’s worth of appointments and quality time with loved ones into 2 months was exhausting, but it was exactly what I needed. It was a lesson in what’s important in life and what “home”Continue reading “Home in Every Port”

The Expat Dilemma

It’s Saturday morning. I wake up to birds singing and flowers blooming outside. Out on our balcony, I sip my jasmine tea and get in some journal time. At 9:00 am I meet up with a friend for a leisurely walk down to the beach followed by a Croque Madame and fresh-squeezed orange juice. IContinue reading “The Expat Dilemma”

Learning to Get Lost

A couple weeks ago we took a tour of the Medina. I was thankful to have a knowledgeable tour guide because the old Medina of Tunis is a maze of narrow streets enclosed in ancient walls holding markets, homes, restaurants, and people busy in daily life. So many twists and turns! I have no clueContinue reading “Learning to Get Lost”

Brunching in Tunis

Before we had kids, Justin and I would go to brunch every Sunday; early before the church crowd rolled in. Brunch was our religion. After we had kids, it became less frequent, but it was still our go-to outing when we needed to get out of the house. There’s just something comforting about sipping aContinue reading “Brunching in Tunis”