It begins.

I was 13 years old the first time I lived outside of the United States. In the 15 (!) ensuing years I have lived in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Italy, and Japan. I have been a teenager and an adult outside of the United States, but this will be my first time as a mother outside of this country.

I have a little boy and a little girl and at 2 1/2 and 4 months, respectively, they are too young to understand what's going on. Every day when we ask Elliott where we're going he points out the window and says "To Nogales! Over there!" and points in the direction of the Crystal City Mall. Eleanor doesn't care where we're going so long as she's fed. In some ways I feel really grateful that we're starting this while they're so young. I get to get used to this lifestyle without having to worry about schools or major activities beyond play dates. I also feel grateful for our first assignment being on the border - they call border posts "foreign service lite" - because everything I can't find in Mexico is waiting for me a few minutes drive away on the other side of the border.

With all that being said I am excited and nervous and I know that this is going to be an adjustment and this is my place to document the highs and lows, the triumphs and mistakes, as I make my way through the world and through parenting, one country and kid at a time.