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!!

Tae's new watch & Eli's first baby food!

This hair band was his 'timer' before we bought the watch. So cute he would look at it and say "it's time to go"

Wow, we have a lot of firsts today!  Well just two, one each kid.  We'll start with Tae.  It is so crazy watching your kids get older right in front of your eyes.  Tae watches people and notices things that 3 year olds just don't pick up.  Very observant.  Well Daddy wears a watch.  Poppy wears a watch.  Why shouldn't Tae have a watch?  He started asking Daddy for a watch a little while ago.  Well we don't really buy our kids things other than necessities outside of Christmas and birthdays, so naturally we said "at Christmas, Daddy will get you a watch."  Tae was kinda okay with that but still proceeded to ask about a watch every day.  Well then just the other day Lavar found got a contract and found out that he would be leaving for France within the next couple days.  We were at Target running errands and I saw Spiderman watches.  I mean we had to.  I showed Var and he just held up the basket.  I was little surprised, I thought it would take a little more coaxing than that, but Daddy is a sucker for his little man wanting to be just like him.  We bought it.  When Lavar got it out of the bag to give to him Tae said "Whoa.  That is so cool.  I don't need this anymore."  He proceeded to take off the hair tie that he was keeping around his wrist as his makeshift 'timer' until Christmas.  It was so cute.  I made him put it back on because I wanted to get a picture and he was not happy about that!  Here are some pics of our watch opening.

Daddy trying to figure the watch out

Tae climbed on the counter and couldn't wait

Daddy putting it on

Tae showing Poppy.  Notice the Spiderman swim trunks.

Tae showing Eli.  Eli is very excited about it.

Onto our next first of the night.  Eli had rice cereal for the first time!  Some might think it is a little early, and it is, but people don't normally have kids that are as big as mine.  Eli was 16 pounds at 2 months.  I mean this kid is solid.  Not even really fat and chunky, just solid.  I started Tae at 10 1/2 weeks.  Eli was doing fine and I am in no hurry so I didn't think about it.  Then recently within the last week he has been crankier and getting hungrier than usual.  He actually woke up once in the middle of the night and he hasn't done that since 8 weeks.  So I thought it was time.  I wanted to give it a try and see how he did with it.  Well as my kids usually do with food, he did great.

   

He was so happy!  At first he didn't really understand, but once he started getting the hang of it he loved it!  He was getting a little anxious in between bites.  He ate that whole bowl.  Yep, I have big kids.

enjoying his baby food!

WOW, I mean really!

Look at that boy! So handsome!

❤LOVE❤ this picture. What a face!

And then there is my crazy 3 year old... Crazy, but I love him!

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!