Journée des Doudous

At Tae's school they have something called the Cahier de Vie.  It is a little book with pictures of the students and the activities that they do together.  Each student gets to take the book home with them one of the days so they can look through it and add their own things.  I found a few things funny in this little 'book of life' of the students at Ecole d'Orielles.

these are all Tae's classmates.  Can you spot Tae?

 This would be the first thing I thought was cute/funny.  There is an entire page dedicated to Tae, the new kid from Los Angeles.... ooohhh ahhhhh.  How cute is that?  All the kids think Tae is cool anyway, because he is different, and I love it.  He has so many friends at his school.

It says 'Since October 5, there is a new student in our class.  Here is Tae (pronounced Tay), he is from Los Angeles.

Now here is what I think is funny.  At the beginning of the school year for Tae, he still didn't speak any French and didn't know many people.  There was a day for their doudous.  They had a party for them, etc. etc.  A couple days before they gave us a sheet of paper that told us when the kids should bring their doudous.  Well, Tae doesn't have a doudou, so I asked him what he wanted to bring.  I think it was the first toy he had seen or something, but he chose to take this little dog thing that I am pretty sure we got in a happy meal or something.  haha  Check out the pictures...



To the left it says 'A recption with our doudous.' and 'one is happy and it shows!' 

Now look at the left hand page.  I know it isn't all that clear, but each picture is of the kid standing up and showing their doudous. Can you spot Tae?  I'll give you a hint, he isn't nearly excited as the other kids.  Below is a little better picture of that page.

It is the second to last row, picture on the left, Tae is sitting down like 'what is going on here?'

 Now this picture really cracks me up.  All the kids sitting with their doudous.  Check out Tae, bottom row, third from the end.  hahahahaha Holding his little doggy.  This cracks me up.

'Our portrait with our doudou'

the little boy to the right is Tae's best friend in school

So I was showing Lavar the book last night.  Journée des Doudous.  Day of the doudous.  Lavar says "you know you're in France when they have a 'day of the doudous.'"  Then we laughed about it a bit.  We love our life... haha

My Life in France: Part two ~ The fun side!

I sounded like I hated life yesterday.  Not true.  I actually love love love my life.  I am so thankful for my blessings.  There are hard things that come along with this crazy life we lead, but I would take them, hands down, any day. 

As you know, my husband is black, from the Bahamas, brought up in a different way than I was.  Not bad, but different.  I love who he is and it is only from God that he could be the man he is from what he has been through.  In our marriage we deal with raising mixed kids, dealing with comprising with not only eachother, but our cultures, dealing with the differences and difficulties being an interracial family brings, etc. etc.  Some people would think about how hard it is and how they wouldn't choose it, some might think I am crazy and say it isn't a big deal (they are wrong) and some, although I think very few, might sympathize with me. 

I love exposing my sons to the multiple cultures that we are a part of.  We go from Simi Valley, mostly white, to the Bahamas, mostly black, to France, where they just don't care.  We are more 'normal' here they any of the other countries we live.  No one looks at us funny or stares, it is normal.  Yes, both other places we are not normal.  Although that doesn't bother me, I welcome stares and questions!  But I love that my sons get such a great experience in life.  Many people never visit these places, and we get to live there!  Blessings!

I love love love learning another language.  I feel so good after I have conversations in French.  I just got off the phone with one of my friends not to long ago and I feel so proud of myself.  I can communicate in another language.  It is so fun, and I love it.  It is becoming weird to me (I know it isn't really weird) that people only speak one language and don't care to know another.  If you have the chance, take it! 

I love the different cultures.  I love going to the Bahamas, because I love the people.  Yes, I love the beaches too, but I love our friends and family there.  We are so welcomed and loved.  Everyone is so hospitible and relaxed.  No problems, no hurry, just chill.  I love it.  I miss them when we aren't there and love it when we get the chance to visit. 
I love France also for the nice people we have met.  I have been overwhelmed with the kindness some of these people have shown us.  I know France is known for more of a rude, uptight place, but once you get to know the people, I think more personally, they can really blow you away.  I was not so sure I would be so nice to someone in California living there, not speaking the language very well.  I know now I would.  I love how it isn't 'keeping up with the Joneses' here.  (another phrase that didn't quite transfer to French)  The houses are nice and small and cozy.  No one tries to be too rich or show off their nice cars, or make you feel like you have less. I am convinced you wouldn't know if these people were poor or wealthy. 

I also love the way living here has forced me to have an open mind about other countries and the way they do things.  For example, they have here somethin called CAF.  It basically gives money to people who have kids, French or not.  I don't think it is the smartest idea.  That is why France is going broke.  But among all of the benefits of CAF there is one that allows a new mother to quit work and she receives a stipend each month to stay home with her newborn baby until the baby is 3 and after that schooling is free.  I think it is good incentive to allows mothers to stay home with their children.  Just my opinion, what do I really know about that stuff?

Anyway, now today I might sound like I am gloating a bit or something.  I think that people are different and enjoy many different things and I think there are many people who could not and would not want to live our life.  And that is okay.  But personally, I enjoy it.  Now if I could only conquer this language!!

My Life in France: Part one ~ the difficult side

Today I sat with some of my French friends speaking Franglais (little english, little french) and they were fascinated by me and the way I choose to live my life.  The way I choose to think about things and handle what a lot of people can't and wouldn't handle.  (I tell me husband everyday how lucky he is to have me, don't worry! :))  Anyway, I thought it might be an interesting thing to write about.  Because people don't often think about the things that might be hard for me or different or crazy.  It sounds romantic to live in another coutry, learn another language etc etc.  And for me it is.  I choose to like it.  But don't be fooled, it is not easy.  Let me break it down a bit.

I have two kids.  Mothers out there know how hard it is to raise kids.  Most of the time we have other mothers around us, and back home I do too (but thank God for facebook!), to help us, give opinions, and offer different suggestions as to rearing kids.  I personally love it, once it is offered in a humble, loving way, bring it on!  Here I don't have that.  I don't have people who think the same way.  I do know other moms and might ask for advice, but I am not sure we are raising the same type of kids.  I want my boys to grow up strong and independent and able to 'handle business' (a phrase which this morning I could not translate into French).  I am not sure how having a binki at the age of 5 affects these kids, maybe it has none at all, but it is just weird to me.  Why there are kids screaming and crying throwing fits and peeing their pants when their parents leave and my son waves by and smiles.  That most definitely could be personality, don't get me wrong, but I do think that Lavar as a man in Tae's life has had a huge impact on how Tae is.  I am proud of him.  France isn't exactly known for the toughest nation... But who knows, just a thought.

Think about a grocery store run.  Easy, right?  Just run right in, grab what you need and bounce.  Wait, I don't know where it is.  Okay, how do you say 'where is the peanut butter?'  Wait, they don't have peanut butter here, how do I describe peanut butter?  'beurre de cacahuètes'?  Il est quelque chose american, il s'appelle peanut butter?'  (it is something american, it is called peanutbutter) Yep, not so easy anymore!  Now, lately, I am a lot better at my French that I don't have problems any more. 

Hanging out with friends.  Here is a tough one.  Because as I mentioned, I don't have too much trouble in the grocery store or simple conversations like that anymore.  But I have a few friends who do not speak english.  We have nice conversations and I am getting a ton better.  But here is the absolute worst.  I am trying to explain something and they just stare at me.  They cannot understand what I am saying.  What?  Seriously, you can't understand?  Man, am I that bad?  I was so encouraged with this whole conversation, and now I feel as stupid as ever.  Or, here is another one.  They make a joke in French, but I didn't get it, and I laugh just to get out of asking what they meant.  But then they catch me with the fake laugh.  ugh  stupid again.

Or when I get Tae from school and the teacher asks me or I have something to ask.  It is hard.  Once again, I am getting better, but it is just every day things that people wouldn't think of that I have to. 

Obvisouly the hard things like missing family and friends back home.  But that isn't so hard for me anymore.(sorry mom! jk)  I love my family.  But I know that someday I will be back living close to them.  And when that day comes, I will enjoy it.  But I don't want to spend my time here wishing I was somewhere else.  How silly would that be?  I want to experience everything and make sure I have no regrets from the time we lived here. 

I know I sounds like Debbie Downer today.  But don't get my wrong, I love my life.  I am so thankful that the Lord has given us such a wonderful opportunity.  I don't think 'normal' would cut it for me.  But later I will write about the things that I love about living here.  Just thought I would share!

Oh and down side of learning another language.  I am already a horrible speller.  Now with learning another language, I can't spell anything.  So disreguard (sp?) my mistakes.  And I can't find words in English sometimes, like it is hard to sometimes put a sentence together because I try to think in French.  Just a side note!

What a CRAZY weekend!! (Emergency room inculded)

I haven't written in a while.  Sorry for those of you that read it!  It is partly due to 2 things.  One is that I don't have a camera to take pictures of what we do, so I have nothing to post and I don't want to write boring posts!  Two is that I have been away all weekend at a friend's house, at the base of the French Alps.  Yep, beautiful!

Tae is on fall vacation for the last week or so.  We were a little bored at first, but then on Friday we packed up and headed out to see some wonderful friends, Eric and Emily Joldersma and their kids, Jack (8), Eva (6), Maizlynn (4), and Van (1).  Yes, you counted right, 4 kids.  But they are an incredible family and it is always fun to be around them.  Lavar met Eric and Emily when they were living in St Quentin in 2005, back when they only had 2 kids.  They are one of the few people that we know who are believers and are just wonderful people to be around.  So Friday we got there in the afternoon and Tae and Eva totally hit it off.  They had so much fun playing together.  We went to Eric's game that night.  He has been playing for 11 years, this being his 12th.  They lost, but it was kinda close, but still a loss and that always stinks.  We didn't get home until 1 in the morning I think.  Kids to bed, us to bed.  Finally.

Then Saturday we got up and the kids played and played inside and outside, they have a great yard.  Once again, Tae loving it.  Then it was time to get out the costumes.  They have a bunch from years prior, so Tae got to choose! How fun!  The first night he chose the Flash.  We have been really into The Justice League, so it was an obvious choice.  The Flash was funny and making jokes like "say it to my face!"  Which Tae/The Flash thinks is really funny.  Well come to think of it, Tae wasn't anywhere to be found, all night.  We got corrected a few times on that one.  So we loaded into two cars and headed out.  We went to a freind of Eric and Em's.  ~Little side note, this family is amazing.  Such a great example and something to look forward to.  They all are fluent in French and English.  Can just switch whenever they want.  Even the 4 year old.  Obviously, not the 1 year old!  :)  But it is so cool!  Someday, someday...~

So at this party, everyone spoke French.  They could do a little English, but mostly all French.  Then they made me speak French... And I did!!  I did, all night I was speaking in French.  I was having conversations with people! I think this had to be my most encouraging moment in France yet.  I was able to enjoy a party that was in an entirely different language!  I am not saying I am fluent, I am just saying it was a huge step and it gave me confidence to keep trying.  It is still very difficult to understand a lot of what they were saying, and these people were very nice to me to help me out, but still I did fantastic.  I am so happy!  It was fun, but then it got late, and then later, and then even later.  It was past 2 in the morning when we ended up leaving there.  It might not sound that late to some of you, but for me, that is late! 

The next day was Halloween.  We got up and hung out and cleaned the house and got ready for yet another party.  This time everyone was coming to the Joldersma's house.  So another night of speaking French.  Except this night was a little different.  For some reason, nothing was coming out right, I couldn't remember my French vocab or verbs or conjugations!  What?! I was practically fluent last night!  Man, my brain only has room for one night a week of French speaking, I am pretty sure.  Hopefully that capacity gets bigger as time goes on, because I was 'un peu retarded' on night number 2.  I almost forgot.  Tae was Batman on night number 2.  Batman, apparently, is very serious.  He doesn't smile a lot and does not joke around!  The costume was a little big, but he was LOVING it.  I mean, he was really Batman.  Once again, Tae w

as no where to be found. I think Batman and Darth Vadar (Eva) even saved the world a few times.  Busy night!

So Monday comes and we are relaxing and chillin and when it came time to go, Tae wanted Eva to come spend the night with us.  So we thought that would be fun.  Then Jack wanted to come too.  So great!  Then litle Maizy wanted to come but once she was told Mommy wouldn't be there, she kinda changed her mind.  So we headed out with two other kiddos in tow for a slumber party.  There is a reason why Lavar and I are only having two kids, and it was reconfirmed.  Not because their kids aren't great, they are.  Once again, it is a capacity thing, I am maxed out with two! 

Well the next morning I get a call from Eric saying Em got sick last night.  Throwing up.  And that everyone might have been exposed to it so keep a look out for it with the kids.  I didn't mention anything to them because I didn't want it to be a mind over matter type of thing, like 'oh ya, now that you mention it, I am sick!'  So we proceeded to have a very fun morning.  We went to this play place that had blown up bounce things, and trampolines, and race cars, and laser tag!  The kids did it all.  And had a blast.  But then, you know, got hungry!  So we headed over to KFC for some lunch.  Here is where things went down hill.  Tae and Eva were playing and it might have been a little too rough and although I told them to calm down, Tae must have tripped or something and he landed on his neck on the pole of a chair.  I was in the middle of getting the food so I kinda took him and told him he was fine.  Then he wouldn't stop crying.  Then he wouldn't stop crying.  He kept saying how much it was hurting.  He wasn't shutting his mouth or talking really.  We tried to sit down and eat,  but he just wouldn't stop.  It made me a little worried because he has been hurt before but he will always settle down.  He just could not settle himself down.  So I called Lavar and he said to bring them home.  Once we got home I called Em who informed me she was on her way to pick up her kids because she didn't want them to start throwing up.  After Lavar looked Tae over and calmed him down, he said he was fine and that he didn't need the doctor.  Well, I decided to take him anyway.  I just knew that he was going to be in a lot of pain and at the very least, get some pain medicine.  So our first time having to go to the emergency room for Tae, AKA Captain Catious 2, was in France.  Nice.  Anyway, we got there and he got checked out and they said it was fine but to just watch if he has a fever to come back.  And gave us some medicine.  I am so glad we did because after our friends went home, Tae was eating dinner complaining about his mouth and jaw hurting.  So I was able to give him his medicine and put him to sleep.  The next morning, with some rest, he was a different kid.  So I felt good about that.

Yesterday we had Tae's first basketball practice.  I will write about that later.  He loved it though.  And then today, school has started again!  Crazy crazy.  I kinda like the structure that school offers us though.  Kids up at 7:30 and in bed by 7:30. 

In other exciting news, I got a waffle maker!!!

I will write again soon.  I am also getting a camera soon, so pics of the boys to come!

Parlez Francais?

I know that a lot of people that read my posts, really don't understand what our life is like.  That is okay, it is a hard thing to understand, I don't think I fully do!  So I thought I would write a little post about what it is like for me, and English-speaking person, to live in a French-speaking world.

I have lived in France a total of 9 months over 2 years really.  I am now entering the longest period of time I have been in France.  It will be a total of 9 months when I leave in May.  Unless I can somehow convince my husband to stay a little longer...  Anyway, when we moved to France I knew no French.  I also had a 6 month old boy.  I studied a lot but it was really hard to get out of the house, specially in a place that rains like Seattle.  Depressing.  So if you know anything about the French language, it is hard to learn to speak it when studying by yourself.  Little example:  'How are you' is 'Comment allez vous?'  Now Americans would pronounce that like it is read.  Nope.  You actually say 'Como tallay vou.'  Who would know that?  That is just a tiny example of how they totally try to confuse you. 

But I still did pretty well studying and learning for myself  and now I have 9 month to get even better. I am determined.  When I was dropping Tae off at school this morning, I was talking to the teachers and they said that I spoke well!  At church last Sunday, I had to introduce our family in French and later people said that they couldn't tell that I didn't speak French well.  A lady stopped and asked directions of my today.  And although I didn't know where it was she was trying to go, I still tried to help and she understood me!  There is a little boy that has become Tae's friend at the basketball games and his mom doesn't speak any English.  So every game I have to speak French to her.  She told me last game that I am doing well!  So I guess the point is that I need to stay encouraged, which is hard for me to do, and keep trying.  I want to be /need to be fluent.  It is in the best interest of myself and my husband that I am.  Then I won't bug him so much, I can make other friends!

So as if it isn't hard enough to move to away from your family and friends, of which both categories I am abundantly blessed, to another country that I don't speak the language.  But God is good and hears our prayers.  I can see Him already providing me with ways to immerse myself and get better. 

So I will keep you all posted with the progression of my French abilities!  Hopefully there will be something to report!  Au Revoir!

Tae on French and School

Tae is a funny little blend of complete confidence and total insecurity. I suppose we all are to some extent. Before actually moving here, I was really nervous about how Tae would react to the different environment, different language and culture. Especially without his friends, cousins, and Grammy and Poppy. But as most people have told me, kids are resilient. Aside from saying only a couple times that he wants to go home to his other house where he has a lightening McQueen bed, he has been a complete trouper. Even with us dragging all over the country. (Of course, during that time he was being spoiled by one aunt or another.)

We arrived on a Tuesday and went to visit the school I think on Thursday that week. Just to see about it and talk to the head mistress. She was really nice and the president of the club was nice enough to come with us and take care of some of the insurance items. Thankfully, I can't tell you how thankfully, Aunt Donna was there and came with us. I understand bits and pieces and sometimes can put it together. But on occasion I understand bits and pieces and then put them together wrong and I was just listening to a totally different conversation! So Aunt Donna was so helpful to make sure I was understanding everything. This was kinda an important subject. I immediately liked the school. It is very organized. They are teaching cursive to 4 year olds! They even have little pottys for the kids. I was excited for Tae.

Tuesday the next week, after our long road trip, was his first day of school. I cannot tell you how proud of him I was. Armed with 3 aunts, mommy, daddy, and brother by his side we set off to school.  Tae walked up there with us acting like he owned the world.  Then he got to the door, after taking off his sweatshirt and getting ready for class, he stepped in and hid behind mommy.  He was hugging my leg and did not want to go in there.  I am so thankful I have such a strong husband who believes in raising a man not a puny little boy, he took Tae aside and in his loving yet stern way told him to man up.  haha Just kidding!  But if you know Lavar, that isn't that far fetched.  But he did great, Lavar gave him a talking to, basically be tough, mommy and daddy are always here, make new friends etc etc.  I didn't really listen because this was 'man' time.  Whatever he said worked because Tae turned around found a table to sit down at and started playing.  That's my boy!

So here is the drill.  We wake up the boys at 7:30.  I get Tae in his boxers and tank top and send him upstairs for breakfast.  I get Eli out of bed and changed.  As Tae is eating I make and feed Eli a bottle.  We go downstairs and brush Tae's teeth, mouth wash, and wash his face.  Next is lotion.  After he is lathered up we head to the room for clothes.  Once he is dressed we load up the layers, because let's face it, we are Californian/Bahamian people living in France.  It is cold  here and it is only October.  I am in for it... Anyway, then we put Eli in the stroller, bundle him up and head out the door at about 8:15.  It is about a 10 minute walk to school.  It is crisp and refreshing and gets us out of the house.  We arrive at school around 8:25, perfect.  On Monday and Tuesday his teacher doesn't speak any English.  On Wednesday there is no school and on Thursday and Friday the teacher speaks English, so she can help Tae (and me).  Eli and I head home and I feed him some solid food and lay him down for a nap. Aahhh, then it is my time.  Two hours of everyone gone or sleeping, I love it!

So here are some funny things we have experienced so far.  First of all, this is Tae's super confident side.  "Tae, guess what!  You get to learn French!"  Tae: "But mommy, I already speak French."  Me: "Really?  Well that is convenient.  Let me hear some French."  Tae: "I don't feel like it right now."  Nice.  And lately, since we have been around it more he basically thinks it's gibberish.  I told him to bring home 1 French word that he learned and teach it to me so that he can be my teacher.  So he comes home saying he has some words.  Then proceeds to 'speak' French.  It is really just a bunch of gibberish.  Occasionally he saying something like booshay or something like that.  Then I ask what it means and he says "it French, mommy!  Silly Mommy!"  Of course it's French!  Silly mommy. 

Here is the funniest one yet.  Last week I got a note from the school saying that today, Friday the 15th, it is going to be 'bring your favorite toy to school' day.  You're thinking, 'cool, sounds fun.'  Here is the kicker.  They have a word for 'favorite toy' in French.  And it is doudou. Yep, say it outloud.  Doudou.  Well, Tae speaks English and where he comes from (and also being a boy) doudou is a funny word.  This should be interesting...  When I told him I decided to be all nonchalant about it.  So I am talking him through it with "And then, guess what!  On Friday you get to bring your doudou to school!  A doudou in French..."  It's too late.  I lost him.  He is already cracking up at the word.  Great.  So I let it go.  Then yesterday I was picking him up from school and one of the mom's was walking away with her kids.  I don't know what she was saying but doudou was in the sentence.  Tae looks up and me and says "Ha, she said doudou! haha  Did you hear that mommy?  She said doudou."  I tried to play it off, but I suppose this is one of those cultural differences that we will have to get used too...  Funny kid. 

Real quick, another one of those cultural differences.  The way you pronounce Tae in English, like how we say his name is the exact way you say tea in French.  So basically, in France, we named our kid Tea.  Like a cup of tea.  Lovely.  So every time I introduce him I have to explain, 'comme le boisson' (like the drink).  People look at us like we are crazy.  But I suppose I would too.  It is like we are trying to be super trendy or something, like Gweneth Paltrow naming her kid Apple or Gwen Stefani and Zuma.  We are just that cool...  Oh well, you try to think of everythin when they are born, but who would have thought of this? 

Well that is all the stories I have for now.  I am sure  there will be more to come with all the things that we have to go through.  But, Tae is doing great in school.  We are sooooo proud of him.  He is a tough little cookie and Lord willing, he will grow to be a tough man.  We love him so much and I can't wait until he starts speaking better French, so he can teach me!!

Aunties International!

 We did a lot of work while we were here.  I mean a lot!  We also took quite a few pictures to document the process we went through so we (and everyone else) could appreciate the hard work we put in.  I had so many pictures it would have taken up a ton of room for this post and I like to write with my pictures, so I put them into little collages.  To the left are pictures of the night we arrived.  Yes, after about 17 plus hours of travelling, we went right to work.  I think Dave Barry wrote once how women can do incredible things in the middle of the night.  Their husbands would wake up and all the furniture would be rearranged and the walls painted or something.  Well in this case, it's just when he gets home from practice.   Anyway, we started with lists and ideas and one thing was certain.  We needed to make that nasty staircase into a pantry.  Overall there was a lot of potential for the place.  And Lavar did his job, he didn't touch a thing when he moved in, just bought a few candles and air freshener. (um.. thanks?)  Anyway, like I was saying, right to work.  The next morning we were on our way to Ikea. (Yay for Ikea!)  The next collage of pictures are us in progress.  Aunt Donna and Tae cleaning the windows.  I think we, Tae, used half the pray bottle on one window.  We had to 'refocus' him on another project.  Aunt Jan doing the dirty work in the staircase.  Yes, it was that nasty, we/they wore masks and gloves and we used a lot of bleach. 

We got in Tuesday night and worked, really straight, for 2 days.  Except, of course, to stop for our lovely French breakfast from one of the two bakeries down the street.  Here are a few around town pictures and some of our lovely bakeries.  There are also some views from the apartment.  We took a little weekend break to go see the world and were back to work on Monday.  Our trip to Switzerland and Paris was absolutely fabulous.  We got to see Chris Taylor, a great friend from high school who happens to be living in the same town as some long-time friends of the family!  How convenient!  After an evening and day in Neuchatel we jetted off to Paris to see Lavar's game and sightsee the next day.  Didn't exactly work out like we planned, but I will write about that trip later.  Back to our work.

We got back Monday night late and went to bed.  Well, we might have painted or hung something, but you know, right to bed.  We finished up the apartment mostly on Monday and spent Tuesday and Wednesday seeing the town.  Look at how beautiful!!  It is so neat and organized!!  I have a place for everything, even a toy chest for Tae and Eli's things so the up stairs doesn't get messy.  This is so exciting.  Especially for a completely unorganized and not very neat person.  I wish I was, I really do.  But when it's not in ya, it's not in ya.  I would know.  But with the way the house is now, it is so much easier to keep nice.  I did inform the aunties and grammy that they will be coming with me every year.  How else should I live?  No, it just has to be, they will come with me! 

I have been here almost a week without having my babysitters, house cleaners, organizers, sous chefs, and family to help me out.  And I look up at my house as I am sitting on the couch writing this... oops!  I guess I should be cleaning instead of blogging.  We have family breakfast on Wednesday mornings and I just haven't picked up yet!

There, that's better.  Anyway, I love my place, thanks mostly to the aunties.  I think they need a TLC show "Aunties International" or "How to Make Something out of Nothing!"  It would be a big hit, trust me.  Stay tuned as I finish up our 10 day trip!

This was how we got Lavar to do his job.
  Change the lightbulb, sweetie!

Moving to France. It's kinda a big deal

So it is kinda ironic how horrible I am at packing and organizing and my life consists of moving to a different place every year. Maybe I will get better! Or just realize how truly awful I am. Either way, this is my life so I must do the best I can. This year was especially difficult because I had been home in California for so long. So I just didn't remember what I had in storage over here or what I needed. I had to pack the lives of three people into 4 suitcases. Well, that was the originally goal. I ended up using 9 bags for just my family. But in my defence I had to pack 2 huge boxes we intended to send until we found out the shipping costs: $177 for one box as opposed to $48 for an extra luggage allowance. Thankfully my aunts were travelling with us so they were able to 'help' with the luggage. They were actually once referred to as our pack mules... Thank you Aunties! :)

We actually got pretty lucky on the flights this year. I actually booked our flights this year, coincidence? I think not. We flew from LAX to LHR non stop. Our flight left at 5:35 which was perfect. We got on the plane hung out a little bit, ate their wonderful dinner (yes, I'm serious. I love British Airline's meals) let Tae watch a movie and feed Eli, change into jammies, and put to sleep. We actually had a bulk head sit this time so we were able to put Eli in a bassinette thing that he was almost too big for, but completely awesome because he slept so good. We set up a nice little bed on the floor for Tae and he slept great. Until the flight attendant came and told us that he wasn't aloud to be on the floor. Then he had to sleep on our lap, which, if you have seen my child lately, isn't that easy. But we made it work. We woke up, had breakfast, and got ready to get off. Tae slept the entire time, even through landing until right to the end. So really, must say, one of my best, easiest flights. Bummer was that we had to wait 4 hours in the airport in London for our next flight. It ended up being fine, just boring and we were tired. We did find a Starbucks though! Then off to Lyon. Another pretty easy flight and we were there!

I think on the drive home from the airport we were all a little delirious from being so tired. My aunt still had the utmost patience as I listened to Tae ask Aunt Veta the same question probably 50 times she answered in the same sweet tone, like she wasn't at all annoyed. I was annoyed just listening! Another thing that must come with age and experience, right?? Man, I hope so, because to be honest, not looking good for me right now!

We arrived at our house at around 8:00 probably. Our house is one of those houses in France where you think "who lives there?" Yep. We live there. France is very rural outside of the cities. St Etienne is a bigger city, but we are living just on the outside of it. So the highways that connect everything aren't very big, they are like our regular streets in California. So you will be driving down this little 'highway' in France and all of a sudden there is a little house right next to the highway. I always wondered who would live there. Well now that's me. But it is a nice place. Two stories, 3 decent sized bedrooms, 2 couches that turn into beds with lovely slip cover things... The unfortunate thing is that the floor creaks pretty bad in the kitchen, well most of the house. But we are learning where to step to not make it so bad. There is only one bathroom and it is downstairs which stinks when we have guests. Which I hope we do! :)

Then the transformation began. All my aunts and mom walked into this place and went to work. Even after that long flight, they started right away. I can't tell you how awesome the difference is. I will show you with before and after pics. I just can't find them on my computer right now, so they will come later.

Our luggage

He is gonna miss Poppy!

My happy little guy

That bumbo came in handy!

Tae being the awesome little boy he is

Eli not sleeping in his basinette

So cute!

We were tired

Aunt Veta and her never-ending patience

Yep, we had the team bus get us from the airport

Aunt Donna and Lilo chattin' it up

Poor baby was so tired!

We have arrived at the apartment!

So that is all for now. You might have an idea of why I have to break up the trip into sections to write about. It was seriously jam packed! So stay tuned!

Vivant en France! Again!

It has been so long since I wrote anything.  I just checked the last date I wrote and I can see why.  It was the day Lavar left for France.  Then I had 2 months to prepare everything, pack everything, and basically uproot our lives in little Simi Valley and move half way across the world to St Etienne, France.  So needless to say, I was busy. 

But we are here now!  Finally settled in and I have a few moments to update everyone.  It took a while, a lot of organization (skills that I don't have... thankfully I have a sister-in-law who does!), and a little procrastination to get everything packed.  So 9 checked in suitcases, 5 carry ons, diaper bag, 2 kids, 1 mommy, 1 grammy and 3 aunts later we were on the plane!!!  Yes, you did read that right, 3 aunts later.  Let me explain...

I have probably the most wonderful family in the world.  I love each one so dearly.  I feel so undeservingly blessed when it comes to the people that God has placed around me and that I can call family.  Every time we move my mom usually comes with me to help us move.  Well this year she mentioned to her sister, Veta, that she should come along.  Then thought twice with "Oh, you probably wouldn't want to leave Tim".  "I could leave Tim" was my aunts response.  Two days later, she was booked on the flight!  Then a couple weeks before take off I had a going away party for Tae.  My mom and her sisters were talking about how fun it would be if they all went.  My Aunt Jan has never been to Europe and my Aunt Donna is a French teacher who loves to travel.  Well, the next morning Aunt Jan shows up at my door before her class (also a teacher) with her airline miles and credit card in hand asking me to figure everything out for her.  Later that day, booked!  When my other aunt found out, she was booked the next day (different flight but same travel period).  So off to France we go!

We got here late Tuesday night, the 28th of September.  As tired as we all were, and we were tired, everyone got right to work in the apartment.  I can't believe what master minds these women are.  You would not believe what they are capable of!  Just for an example, I will expand on this later, they turned an old gross attic thing into a beautiful, clean pantry!  And we always need extra room for food.  We spent a few days getting the apartment in order, decorating, cleaning, organizing.  I must say, I felt a little lost here.  I am not particularly good at any of these things, so I kinda just putzed around doing what they told me to.  Hopefully what they do comes with age and experience and I am just not there yet, but it's in my blood, right?  Right?  We then decided we wanted to make a trip.  So we loaded up the car, and when I say loaded, I am not kidding, and drove to Switzerland!  Luckily, my boys are born travelers, or made, either way, but they did awesome.  Because after a beautiful time in Switzerland we drove up to Paris, about 5 hours.  Got lost for about 2 hours and saw about 8 minutes of Lavar's game.  Then stayed the night there in a hotel that, let's just say wasn't 5 stars... or 4 or 3 maybe... Well, we are all troopers!  Then the next day we saw the city and drove home that night.  I might have scared them a tad bit with my driving, but we made it!  And in good time I might add!

We finished up the apartment and proceeded to get lost quite a bit more in the city of St. Etienne.  I have actually never been lost more times in my entire life.  I did hear that this was a confusing place though, that makes me feel a tad bit better.  And then they had to leave... :(   So sad.  Our house is so quite and not nearly as clean without them all.  As I mentioned in the begininng, I love my family and I love being surrounded by them.  But this is the time in our lives right now, and this is what our family has to do.  I can understand that and appreciate it for what it is.  We're living in France for crying out loud! 

Now life.  Just regular life with a few complications.  For example, Tae's name is pronounced exactly the same as the word tea in French.  So when people ask his name they think we are saying tea, like to drink.  Like we named him apple juice or something.  Oh well, Tae is a tough, strong, resiliant kid and is adjusting wonderfully.  He did say that he wanted to go to his other home with his Lightening McQueen bed.  Thanks Grammy and Poppy for making that house so stinkin' cool!  He is doing good, though, and will be speaking French in no time. 

Sorry for what feels like rushing through this.  I just wanted to give a real quick overview of what has happened in the last two months or two weeks.  When I get a chance I want to write more about the things that have been going on individually.  And besides, the E-man just woke up which means no time for mommy.  I will write more consistently, promise!!

Our next adventure...

Oh my gosh, I am so  nervous and anxious.  I have so many mixed emotions.  We just found out yesterday that our next location will be St. Ettienne, France!!  It is about 45 minutes south of Lyon, France which is the third biggest city in France... I think.  It's up there anyway.  Lavar might have to leave tomorrow.  This is the part that I hate about our lifestyle.  Even though I love the opportunities we have with living in other countries and experiencing different cultures, we have to leave home.  I feel like Lavar just got here and now he is leaving again.  I feel like we haven't really gotten to experience the summer.  Because of our lifestyle it is hard to maintain friendships throughout the cities that we live in.  I know that a big part of that is me and that I need to do a better job with being a good friend to people.  The other part is that people honestly don't understand our lifestyle, (I don't expect them to) and they have their own.  They don't need friends so why reach out?  It is hard.  But the last thing I want to happen is in 6 or so years when my husband is done playing and we come back to So Cal and live a 'normal' life for me to look back at our time spent traveling and regret how I lived.  I have an opportunity some people only dream of (and some people think I'm crazy).  I get to live in another country and experience another culture.  Europe is at my fingertips.  Everything is just a little train ride or flight away.  I am putting my 3 year old son in preschool this year to learn French.  I've always wanted to learn another language and to learn from such a young age.  He won't even have an accent in either language.  I wish someone could have done that for me.  Hopefully he can appreciate it later.  I get to experience the world.  And although this might not be appealing to some people, I have always loved travel, adventure, and different. (I mean look who I married!)

So here it is, our next adventure.  I am nervous and anxious and excited all at the same time.  I keep telling myself all the fun things, the benefits of our life right now because when I don't actually believe them, if I say them enough it will be true!  I know once I am there it will be great.  I just hate leaving my wonderful family and taking my son away from all his awesome cousins and friends.  This is our life, crazy or not, so I have to make the best of it!

Easter

hello everyone! Here are some pictures from Easter. Tae and I went to my friend Charlotte's parent's house for Easter. It was a really nice three story house! There was a little pool in the front yard and everything. Of course it was cold so we didn't get to be outside too much, but it was still fun. Anyway, here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Charlotte's mom and Tae


Charlotte's boyfriend, Yoan

Tae eating chocolate

Tae done eating Chocolate

Tae playing with some toys they had there

Looking for Easter eggs


he actually got the hang of it, putting them in the bag

The two little kids that were there, they couldn't understand why Tae wasn't so crazy about finding the eggs! Because he hasn't tasted chocolate yet!

Trying to surf in the house

This little boy tried to pick him up! But it was so cute, he was being so very nice to Tae. It was sweet.

Tae playing with they toys they gave him


With the eggs again

the other kids helping him

Trying to help him understand teh concept

He is getting it! what a smart little boy!