Brugge, Movers, and School

Brugge, Oostende, Movers, and School 

After our first week, the second was just as busy.  We got to meet our WONDERFUL buddy family, took a day trip to Brugge & Oostende, movers came, school orientation, and then school. 

The girls are attending St. Johns International School and one of the parts I love best about this school is the caring way they make sure all their families are taken care of.  They pair each new family with a buddy family.  I must say, I think we got the best buddy family ever!  They started contacting us as soon as this lost and confused family was assigned to them.  They invited us over for a cookout and time to visit.  They have three children, two of which are girls.  The girls hit it off right away!  We had a wonderful time visiting with them and greatly appreciated all the advice and hints they gave to help us adjust to life in Belgium.  

Chloe MUST show she has gum.  This kid seriously has an
addiction to gum!  I didn't get one picture of all of us
without her showing us her gum.

Daddy, Chloe, and gum

On the canal.

We decided to go ahead and drive to the North Sea.
The girls really enjoyed it, but were baffled that
it was too cold to get in the water.

Over the weekend, we took the girls to Brugge.  We thought they would enjoy the market and the beautiful surroundings. We walked all around Brugge, had a delicious tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.  We stopped off at mommy's favorite chocolate store; the Chocolate Line.  They have THE BEST and strangest flavors!  (Ryan's favorite is Dumon) The girls were troopers as we walked all over the city. In the late afternoon, we took the girls to the North Sea.  As a fishing community, many options of seafood awaited the Myers' Family.  The smallest shrimp in the world coupled with the world renowned Krab (yes folks, even Belgium has fake crab) was a hit as well as calamari.  Escaped a massive downpour, but the girls were able to see that the ocean is very different than the Hawaiian waters they are accustomed to.   We all had a great time!  

In normal chaotic fashion, the movers arrived the same day the girls had new student orientation at the school.  EARLY the rental furniture company came to take our rental furniture.  Not long after, the movers came with (almost all) of our belongings from Indiana.  

Rylee, Gwen, and I left daddy and Chloe to direct the movers while we went to orientation with our buddy family.  Needless to say, it was a CRAZY day.  Once our items had been delivered, the "unpacking" began (we have discovered we are missing a good deal of things).  This was new to me, and drove me a little nutty.  The movers undo every box, and dump it on the floor.  There wasn't any space to move anywhere in the house.  It was such an overwhelming mess!!  

Boxes EVERYWHERE!!!

We finally kicked them out and told them we would finish unpacking the boxes and call them back to get the empty boxes.  (it is difficult to get rid of trash here) There were many days I unpacked a room with tears.  I thought I would NEVER get everything organized.  But, it was good to have OUR things.  Having our own couches, beds, clothes, and toys has made this new house seem much more like our home.  

First Day of School

Rylee and Gwen's first official day of school was on Thursday.  They LOVED it.  

They both have great teachers who care about the girls.  They also have a nice bus driver who makes sure the girls are taken care of.  Not being at school as a teacher has been strange, but not being where the girls are has been very difficult some days.  

I find myself talking to myself (and getting an earful from Chloe).  I say the same things I said to all the new parents when they first came to my classroom.  Trying to reassure them their kids would be fine, I would keep an eye out for them, I would contact the parents if any issues arise.  

The students all met their teachers in the Gym,
then walked to their classrooms.  

It is certainly different being on the side of the parent than it is being the side of the teacher.  If I had one piece of advice to all the teachers I know out there, please be patient and understanding.  Don't be dismissive of these new parents and their fears. Be genuine in your response to them.  

Traveling to school in style.  The school busses here
are what we would consider tour busses.  Seats
that recline, buckles, and comfort.  

It is terrifying to move and not know anyone and not know how the school works. Thankfully, the school we chose completely understands this.  They welcome parents questions and concerns and each member of the school does everything they can to be sure parents and children feel safe and comfortable with where they are.  

Get to spend my day with this cutie pie!  Just love her and
her imagination.  She wore fairy wings all day and "flew"
everywhere she went.

While it was a busy and quick week, we enjoyed all the great adventures we had along the way.  I welcomed the opportunity to have our belongings and begin a schedule with the girls.  They have made many new friends.  We are all moved in and getting more settled each day.  We are so thankful for all the people who have entered our lives and given such great advice and taken time to help us figure things out. We miss everyone and can't wait to chat with them!

Had to add this one.  While shopping with our Buddy
Family for supplies the girls would need for
swim class (suits, goggles, & swim caps) Chloe insisted
she have a pair too.  She felt the need to wear them to bed.  Luckily,
I convinced her this wasn't the best idea. However, we do wear them
most every shower and bath.  I mean...doesn't everybody?

First Weekend in Belgium

First Weekend in Belgium

Our first weekend in Belgium was a LONG one.  We landed on a Thursday, there was a national holiday on Friday (therefore stores are closed),  and stores are closed on Sundays.  This means we had to do shopping for immediate supplies when we landed on Thursday; figure out where we were and how the house operated on Friday; and shop for all the stuff we forgot on Saturday.  Then, get Ryan ready for work on Monday.  Phew!  It was a whirlwind to say the least.  We all struggled with jet lag and it was a little rough.   Here are some pictures to document our crazy weekend.  

A Car show in Mechlen

A Carpet of Flowers in Brussels

Dinner in Brussels

Rylee's slug collection

In an attempt to show the girls where their school is located (we got lost), we stumbled upon
a little festival.  There was a beer garden, and music.  The girls LOVED listening to the
the music and watching the dancers.  

The girls' slug hotel.  YUCK!

Another slug hotel.  A slug has got to have options...

Our Apple tree

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Yes, I know I am far behind on this.  Honestly, it has been the post I dreaded most to make.  I cried a great deal the day we left, then boarded up those tears and focused on the task at hand.  I knew writing this would bring back all those hard emotions.  Now, school has started and new friends have been made (future post coming), and so many wonderful (and exhausting) adventures have been taken place.  I finally feel I can look back and recognize that through tough times, greatness awaits.  

Goodbye Dear Family.  We love you all so much.  Thank you for all your
love, guidance, and support as we begin a life in Belgium.

August 13, 2014.  The long awaited trip had finally arrived.  So many emotions running through our minds and hearts.  Excitement to what lies ahead; peace in knowing what we were doing was going to be good for our family; anxiety about how we were going to adjust to our new home and surroundings; sadness for what we were leaving behind.  

Luggage OH MY!

In an attempt to maximize the amount of items we would have with us while we waited for our shipment to be delivered to the house, we each had 3 suitcases, 2 carry-ons, 2 car seats and a stroller.  Needless to say, we needed a small army to assist us at the airport. Having the amazing family that we do, all the Grands, a sister, and one Great Grand met us curbside and each took a bag or two.  Once checked in we had a last McDonald's breakfast with everyone all together.  Laughter and tears flowed freely.  Funny stories and lots of hugs and kisses were had by all.  Then came time to grab our belongings, give last hugs and kisses, and walk away.  This was one of the toughest walks I have ever had to make.  The future for the five of us was one way, family who has always been there supporting us in every way was the other.  I turned around more times than I could count and the security agent may have had to give me a pep talk.  The girls were so excited to get on the plane and let the adventure get underway.  

We seriously have more??

Our flight to Newark was good.  The girls were fantastic and enjoyed playing on their iPads.  Our plan was to feed them in Newark and tire them out.  The hope was they would sleep from Newark to Brussels. 

Ready for take off!  Clover is all
buckled in too.

So Excited!  I get a seat all by
myself.

Can't wait to get going!

Once in Newark we loaded the plane and got everyone settled, Chloe fell asleep before we hit the air.  Everyone, except me, slept for at least 5 hours.  I did not sleep one wink.  I tried, but with two kids on top of me and the Flight attendants insisting I drink my body weight in water, getting any rest was impossible.

Lunch at the Newark Airport

We landed a little late, and the fun was about to begin.  With so much luggage we did end up hiring a porter to help us.  I don't speak French, but I can read body language.  I am pretty sure he thought we were crazy with this much luggage.  Our taxi driver with a "large passenger van" (I use that term loosely) insisted we were going to be able to load every piece of luggage and all five us in his vehicle.  Somehow, we made it.  At one point, a bag fell on Gwen. Being the brave girl she is, no tears came. We drove immediately to pick up Ryan's vehicle, then to our new home.  As soon as we arrived to our house, the landlord met us to unlock and describe how the house worked.  He gave us many instructions, but I was too exhausted to remember any of them.  

Before we even took off.

Sleeping is for the weak, however.  Since the next day was a holiday, all the stores were going to be closed.  We HAD to do some light grocery shopping and get food, soap, toilet paper, etc.  I look back at this and just laugh.  First of all, we couldn't figure out what or where the milk was, I couldn't understand ANYTHING! Chloe fell asleep before we got to the store, and slept through the whole experience.  People kept passing and just staring at me.  I can only imagine what they were thinking.  As soon as we got back home, Chloe and I went to bed.  She was so tired we couldn't keep her awake.  We regretted all the sleep she got at about 2:00am.  

Dinner?  I am exhausted.  Is it bed
time yet?

After our little snooze, we went to grab some dinner.  We were all in such a fog we could not think of what we were hungry for.  We ended up at Chi-Chi's. (totally a Belgian type of food, right?)  The food was not quite as I recalled from when I was younger, but we were all full and ready for bed.

The rest of the weekend was shopping and trying to get adjusted to the time difference.  We even went into Brussels to see the Carpet of Flowers.  I'll post pictures and stories of adventures we have had since we arrived soon.

Even through all the emotions and lack of sleep, we did well. All the emotions rise up here and there.  Most of the time, they happen when you least expect it.  I will catch the smell of my mother's perfume, my mother-in-law's laundry detergent, hear Chloe singing Hi-Ho the Dairy-Oh and think of my sister and Reece-man, see camping places and think of my father-in-law, or the smell of gas and dirt from racing with my dad and the tears flood back.  Then I remember, I am here because of them all.  They have all taught me to be strong enough to take on a task I was terrified of.  

...Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  ~ Joshua 1:9

A Little Longer in Indy

A Little Longer in Indy

The Belgium Consulate in New York decided they loved Ryan's Documents so much, we stayed a little longer in Indiana.  (insert sarcasm here)  This post is just some more pictures of fun we had during our extended hotel stay in Indianapolis. 

A walk along the Canal with Grandma Susie

Watching the Drum and Bugle Corps

Fun at the Children's Museum

An INSANE bike ride along White River.  Molly almost made us drive right into the river.  (hehe)  She may comment below, but here is proof she was the driver...She is in the driver's seat that controls the direction the bike goes.  My steering wheel was just something to hang onto. 

The girls LOVED the monument!  

A goodbye dinner.