There's No Place Like Home

AMERICA!

We are home! Oh.....sorry Cameron. (He's actually back in Belgium already.) Poor guy. He finally got adjusted to the time change only to turn around and go back again to write his discertation and sell the rest of our stuff. (I miss him terribly-is it really only day 2? This is going to be a long 3 weeks.....)

Has there ever been a time in your life when you were so happy, words couldn't describe? The tears flow, and you just smile from ear to ear. (Aren't happy tears the greatest?) Well, coming home and seeing my family again brought that indescrible joy. Even writing about it is making me well up again. It's so wonderful to be back.

America. Land of the free........Home of the....spoiled. I am once again a spoiled American, and I'm loving every minute of it. Carpet, dryers, big ovens, big fridges, big washers, dryers, big cars, huge roads, dryers, cheap food, fast food, dryers, drinking fountains, bathrooms (you don't have to pay to take a leak!) and yes, customer service! Can you tell I love having a dryer again?!

I have to type up this dialogue for my friends back in Belgium. I went to Albertsons (grocery store) today, and I was standing in line waiting to check out when an employee asks me "Hi, why don't you step right over here and I can check you out," to which I replied "Oh, I just forgot something on my list." He then says "Is it something I can help you find?" "BBQ sauce?" I ask. "Aisle number 1 half way down on your right."

WHAT THE?! WHERE AM I?

Then, this is the icing on the cake. I was with my sister Shera and after checking all her items (and having the man bag for her-yes, bag her groceries!) she says "Oh shoot, I forgot to buy cheese and I don't want to run all the way back there." So he says "Would you like me to run back and get you some cheese?"

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

I love this country.

Honestly, with how nice everyone is, you would think we were all good friends-conversing with one another, it's fantastic. (Guess what-they almost all speak English!)

At first everything was overload. It's like eating a bowl full of chocolate chip cookie dough-it's delicious, but kinda makes your tummy hurt. There was just so much goodness all at once, I was having a hard time adjusting. I actually started crying when I walked into Walmart. Heck, you get kinda sentimental when you can finally read the signs on the aisles, and all the products they are selling. What's that? Cake mix for 88 cents and not 4.90 Euros?! I love it here. Let me tell you how things were when we arrived at my mom's home (a small example of her greatness). She had new toothbrushes and toothpaste for all of us-new towels (princess, frog and spiderman) for the kids, a humidifier for the kids' room, beds set up with new blankets on top (Strawberry Shortcake, Cars and Power Rangers) and she kept the Christmas tree up with stockings for the kids, and presents galore for the grandkids. (that's just some of it, the list goes on and on) Wow, talk about spoiled! Then traveling to my inlaws and eating their AMAZING meals-meat, how I've missed you!

JOSHUA



Josh started school last week. He went from full day French school (8:30 to 3:30) to Half day English school (12:45 to 3:25). Needless to say, he's loving it. He is always saying how easy it is, and loves the extra time at home. He LOVES all the snow here (especially the eating of it-look out for the yellow stuff.) He and Cam went skiing together on Wednesday and had a great time together.

DAXTON

First off, a public apology to my darling little boy and to all those who watched the "hat not fitting" video. I know, I know-bad mom of the year award. I watched the video right after posting my blog last month and saw the hurt expression on Dax's face-it broke my heart. I mean really, who laughs at their kid like that? Well, I have since repented of my ways and will not laugh again.

Dax is great. He is also loving the snow. His favorite thing is to throw snowballs at me. He always manages to get the snow right down my coat collar and onto my back. (Maybe pay back for laughing at him?) He is still such a sweet boy and is always saying "please" and "thank you" (and "excuse me" followed by a big smile when he passes gas.) He is talking up a storm now too (my family is still trying to understand his little language.)

ELLA

Ella is finally taking to walking instead of crawling. She keeps getting chubbier and chubbier (oooh, I love those thighs!) Her red hair is getting long, and though this dry climate reeks havoc on her do, I am enjoying putting it in little pig tails. Ella is starting to talk as well. She says "hello", "dog," "go," and "Ella". She is solid fun.

CAMERON

How are you Cam? You surviving? He called today and said how eerie it is to have the apartment so quiet (though I'm sure our neighbors below us would describe the silence with different words-wonderful/delightful?)

When I started dating Cameron I always used one word to describe him. AMAZING. He still is. Cam is an incredible boy and I am so lucky to have him. Now write that paper quick and come back to us!

YOURS TRULY

This is me with the boy I'm in love with.

I was finally able to meet my nephew and niece-Jack and Audrey.

I am brimming with joy. Okay, I'm tired too-but mostly brimming with joy. It has been such a wonderful few weeks.

Check out the picture my bro took! Wow! We were all able to go with my family to a cabin called "Moose Mountain" and stay on the mountain surrounded by snow, pine trees, and silence (well, that's if you were outside-once you went into the cabin with 5 grand kids and 11 adults, it was pretty noisy.) It was so much fun. There were games, laughter, and an incredilbe "Luge" run built by Jeffrey. Jeff used his snowmobile to carve tracks into the hill. Then to perfect the luge, he used a shovel and his engineering mind. Grab a tube and hike up the hill then feel the wind on your face. It was a BLAST!

I love my family and I love America. I feel so blessed to be here in this wonderful country. I miss my friends in Belgium a lot, but Belgium itself-I'm really not missing you too much.

I have learned that it doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing-but spending time with family is irreplaceable. You don't need to go on some fancy vacation or travel the world-just take the time to give your siblings hugs and tell your parents you love them. I love you.

God bless the USA!

Guten Tag

German Sweets.


5 more days until we're back in the U.S.A.! Maybe I should change our blog address?

We had a great few days in Germany and I thought I would quickly share some of our experiences. (The blogs are my journal entries too-two birds with one stone, ya know what I mean?)

We first went to Castle Valkenburg (or what was left of it-exploring the ruins). The kids had a great time imaging the battles that took place there.

Here is Daxton in the stocks.
We were so lucky to travel with team Pehrson. (This family is amazing. Talk about parents of the year award. Mom and Dad are Heather and Jeff followed by Clark-8, Emily-6, Blake-4 and Baby Katie-6 months.)

Here they are striking a pose by the catapult.

Ella being toted in the back pack by dad.
Next to the castle were the "Velvet Caves." 3 miles of labyrinth like, man made caves, were created between 1050-1886, as workers exploited the stone to build the castle.

The caves have been used for all sorts of things, including refuge for American Soldiers during WWII.

This is the entrance to the caves-and the beginning of a fun Christmas story and display of Santa's special book being stolen by trolls. They had several lit displays telling the story inside of the cave (for the Christmas season). Very cool.
Aren't those doors awesome? Almost a Mines of Moria effect.
Inside the caves-painting on the walls were created using a special plant. This picture shows the Refuge Chapel-dating from the French occupation period (1794).
One of the displays inside the caves-the trolls stealing the book.
We had such a great time! We stayed in a small city called Herzebrook-Clarholz, in the German countryside, in a place called the "Vita Farm"-full of horses. Josh and the kids had a blast as they each received their own riding lesson.

Here is Josh brushing his horse.


Giddy-up cowboys.
Ella was getting bored and tired waiting for all the riding to end.
So, my son is a genius. That's the stance I'm taking on the size of his head. Poor thing, the hat wouldn't fit. It fit everyone else (including Clark, who's 8) but not on my little Einstein. Finally, the instructor had to get his own helmet for the little boy.


Here is a video of my little cowboys.

We were able to go to two different Christmas markets as well.

The little apartments we stayed in were great, and were complete with kitchen. We were able to cook all meals there. I wanted to video a meal, to show what it is like feeding 7 kids and 4 adults at the same time-lots of cutting into pieces and pouring of drinks. Crazy, but so fun!

All the excitement made for 3 very tired children and a nice, quiet ride home for mom and dad.