A Little Behind

A Little Behind...OK...A LOT Behind

The guilt cycle has come full circle.  I got behind...felt guilt.  I got even further behind, made excuses....felt guilt.  I am way beyond behind....guilt can't touch me now.  I hate I have had so many great experiences and I have not taken the time to share them with friends and family (not to mention, now even Ryan is making comments)...guilt full blown.  Today it is.  I have a sick little one (which means I might have a few minutes to complete a thought), the weather is a bit chilly, and the rain clouds are moving in.  It seems like the PERFECT day to catch up on all we have been doing since November.  (OUCH!)

We have taken trips, had family here to visit, school programs, Christmas, filmed for House Hunter's International, more trips and family visits, AND a 4th, 8th, & 11th Birthday.  So much has happened, but looking back at these memories has opened my mind to how much we have grown individually and as a family.  The girls LOVE having daddy be a part of their everyday life.  He does still have a little travel, and you can really see how much the girls miss him when he is gone.  Before our move, Ryan being gone was a part of our everyday "normal" life.  But now, the travel is less, but the impact is strong.  Rylee has grown not only taller, but very much more mature.  Often, I look at her and wonder where did my little girl go?  She has blossomed here.  Her teachers and friends have built her confidence and it is so wonderful to see her shine.  Gwen is growing as well.  She is still my "happy hippie." She has made wonderful friends (from every country OTHER than USA), and been a strong leader in her classroom.  Her gentle and loving spirit has really shone as she helps the students in her class who don't understand English.  She loves to help Chloe with EVERYTHING (even when Chloe would rather she not).  Chloe is still my small, but mighty.  I am pretty sure our entire school community has adopted her.  She has "friends" at school who welcome her as soon as she walks in the door.  They often take off with her and she loves every minute.  Ryan is greatly enjoying his time with the girls and taking every opportunity he can to be involved in their day to day life.  I love to see the look on his face when they talk with him or when he just watches them being kids.  It reminds me of when we first brought Rylee home from the hospital.  I watched him lay down on the floor next to her.  As he spoke to her, I fell stronger in love with a man I didn't know I could l possibly have that much love for.  It is crazy how our hearts continue to swell with the ability to love. I am doing great as well.   The day to day experiences are getting a little easier.  I have been able to quicken my 2 hour grocery shopping trips to about an 1 hour and half and I am not having as much trouble finding what I need.  Now, if I could just get them to be consistent about their stock and where they place things, I might be able to shave another 30 minutes off my trip. I have met some fabulous women who have made life here not only easier, but full of laughter.  They have become our new family and I thank God for them each and every day.  

In trying to figure out how best to update everyone without overwhelming you, I decided to go ahead and make a blog post on all the above in separate posts. Sorry I am so far behind, but life has been happening and I have been focusing on enjoying the moments.  Thank you once again for reading about our lives.  Enjoy our following stories.  I pray all is well with you.

Fall Break

Fall Break!

Fall Break was an absolute BLAST!  Ryan did a fantastic job planning our trip.  He is the BEST tour guide and always packs a lot into every moment we have.  The girls LOVED the trip.  We had a lot of driving, but Ryan was sure to break it up with beautiful stops along the way.  We started in Belgium and drove through Germany, Austria, France, then back home in Belgium.  

The girls really enjoyed Germany and were adopted by a wonderful woman we now call our "German Nana."  They loved the tour with the night watchman and walking through the city of Rothenburg.  We also visited a few castles. The girls loved the Neuschwanstein Castle and Burg Eltz castles.  The castles were amazing and very different.  The grounds surrounding the castles is simply gorgeous.
   On our way to Austria we drove through the black forest and went to many cuckoo shops.  Ryan had his idea of what he wanted, I had a very different opinion.  It is safe to say I do not share his enthusiasm for cuckoo clocks.  Especially the ones with dead animals be portrayed and guns along the side.  (Don't get me wrong, I am not against hunting, I just don't necessarily want it displayed where I have to see it on a daily basis).  However, this was something Ryan had always wanted, so I told him he could choose what he liked.  (aren't I a great wife?)  He found one and as soon as I saw it, I fell in love.  It was WAY more than we had intended on spending, but it is very unique and unlike any we have ever seen.  We purchased the clock then held our breath over every bump and the packing and unpacking of the car the rest of the trip.  The lady who sold us the clock was also kind to the girls and let them pick out their own cuckoo whistle.  I just can't thank her enough for giving my children a loud whistle.

My favorite was Austria.  We stayed in Hallstatt.  The views were more than breathtaking.  I could live here forever.  The enormous lake is situated between impressive green mountains.  The sounds of the waterfall running through town and the swan's wings hitting the top of the lake were soothing.  At night, the sky was lit up by a million stars.  The sky was so clear I felt I could just reach up and touch a star.  Ryan took Rylee and Gwen to the salt mine.  This was another favorite of Rylee and Gwen.  They toured the mine and even rode down the slides the workers used to get deeper into the mine.  Ryan said this was a little intimidating, but the girls were not scared at all!

France was absolutely beautiful.  We were in wine region of Alsace and Colmar.  The food was delicious and we really enjoyed walking around these old cities.  Some cities still had their old city wall and the houses were unlike any we had seen.  We even got to see the Statue of Liberty on our way out of town.

The trip was full of history, memory making, and laughter.  Our girls did a FABULOUS job traveling the long distances in the car.  I am so thankful we have had an opportunity to not only experience the places, but spend this time together.  Our children are growing way too quickly, these moments we are getting will one day disappear.  How blessed I am to have this time with them.  

Our First Guests

Our First Guests!

My mother Susie, and my step-father Larry had the honor of being our very first guests.  Words cannot describe the emotions of having family here.  I had managed to divide up our life into two parts.  The BB (Before Belgium) and the DB (During Belgium.)  The BB time period was filled with our family in our daily life, entering and exiting without even noticing.  The DB time is less busy (some days) and no family.  Our contact is limited by time differences and schedules.  We are a part of their lives and they are a part of ours, but on a distant level.  We had changed so much, what if we weren't what our family was used to?   The moment I saw my mother, tears filled my eyes.  Even though we were no longer close in distance, bonds of family are never truly broken.  It felt so good to get one of those "I love you, have missed you, and I am here" motherly hugs that only moms can give. I didn't want to let go.  They came bearing American gifts inside their many suitcases.  I could NOT wait to see what all our family had sent.  It's just like getting gifts at Christmas, only better.  

Antwerp

We had many plans for their time here.  Mom and Larry had never been to Europe.  They began their time here with a dinner with our landlord.  He is a Lion's club member here, as is Larry.  It was a wonderful opportunity for Larry to visit another Lion's club in a foreign country.  Gifts were exchanged, a delicious dinner was shared, laughter and stories were had by all.  

Ryan then took on the task of filling the rest of their time here by taking them to beautiful Belgian cities, a french castle, Amsterdam, and a trip to Paris.  Larry did not miss one patisserie.  He even used the girls as excuses to stop and try another shop.  While we were in Paris, we had our first experience at Christmas Markets.  These are so much fun!  Food, wine, beer, gifts...where do we begin?  We decided it would be in our best interest to eat and drink and shop as much as possible at the Paris Christmas Market.  We all had a great deal of fun and loved getting to experience Europe with them.

The time came to say goodbye.  This was so very hard to do.  It felt like they just got here.  We fell into our old ways of moving about each other's lives, playing games with the kids, and sharing stories as we used to do.  For a brief time, BB time period mixed with our DB time.  Even though it was hard, I learned I had grown so much from when we first left.  I knew I would miss them, but I also knew we had a new way of being in each others' lives. We made it work before they came and we would continue to make it work when they left.  At least now when they video chat with us, they can tell where we are located in the house. We can't wait for them to come again.

Mechelen

Amsterdam & Brugge

More Guests

More Guests

The day after Christmas our next guests joined us.  We could NOT wait for their arrival.  The girls had missed their Nana and Papaw, Ryan and I did too.  Bridget and Kevin flew out Christmas Day and landed early the next morning.  They entered the house to little arms begging for hugs and kisses.  To get a hug from them evoked the same emotions I had when my mom was here.  I just did not want to let go.  Bridget and Kevin were a huge part of our lives in the states.  We did a lot of things together and to go from having them in our daily lives to not at all was a hard and strange adjustment.  It felt like home when they walked in the door.  

During their time here, we had our own little family Christmas with gifts being exchanged.  However, no rest for the weary.  Ryan had us all up and exploring Belgium the next day.  We got to show them around and visited Christmas Markets.  The girls even got to ride in a tall Ferris Wheel.  Poor Nana who is afraid of heights showed her bravery and went with us.   Their time with us was filled with exploring, watching movies, painting fingernails, and playing games.   We went to many Belgian cities, attempted ice skating, visited Cologne, Germany, ate a delicious dinner at a local German Restaurant, and played many loud games of Pit.  Ryan and I even went on our first date without children here to celebrate our birthdays.  

We had a great time during their visit.  I shed many tears as I watched them walk through the gates at the passport check.  We all love them very much and know we will see them again soon.  Thank goodness for the technology that keeps us all connected.  

Christmas!

Christmas

Christmas.  A time for celebrating the birth of Christ.  Time for family, friends, food, laughter, gifts.  This year, time to figure out a new way to celebrate without our family.  We knew this was going to be difficult. On one hand, we didn't have to exhaust ourselves traveling to everyone's houses to celebrate (which we love when we spend devoted time with all our family).  But, on the other hand Christmas was going to be lonely and quiet.  As our blog goes, time to REINVENT our Christmas.  God has blessed us with some great friendships since he have been here.  There were four other American families who were not traveling for Christmas either.  The Wall family decided they would host a Christmas meal for all of us.  It was a delicious pitch-in with all the best of Christmas foods.  Yeast rolls, turkey, ham, homemade chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, green beans, fruit salad, salad....the list goes on.  But, the best part was the time we spent with people who are our family here.  It felt just like a Christmas back in the states.  We had pictures by the Christmas tree, fed the children (who ate quickly so they could go play with their new toys), had a nice dinner with the adults, and a dirty Santa gift exchange.  So much fun!  What a great way to REINVENT our Christmas here in Belgium.

London

London, England

I have always wanted to go to London, England.  Ryan has gotten to go in his travels.   I love to hear his romantic stories of the city with much diversity, history, and character.  I have been waiting for the opportunity to see and experience this wonderful city myself.  To be honest, I REALLY wanted to go see England now more than ever.  Living in a country where English is NOT the first language is very trying at times.  The thought that I could go visit a place where I could read every sign, understand the menu, ask questions, visit historical sites, and just experience life in ENGLISH was so very enticing and exciting.  (However, there are few draw backs.  A person must be very careful what they say because everyone around you also understands what you are saying.)

Once again, my awesome husband did a spectacular job planning a memorable trip.  Being married to such a wonderful tour guide has definitely been a blessing!   We took our first train ride on the Eurostar fast train.  The girls thought this was really cool!

After checking into the hotel we ate dinner at a very delicious Chinese restaurant in China town.  The girls asked for this to be their dinner every night while in London.

The next day we toured the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.  We saw the crown jewels, the dungeon, and ravens.  After a big day of walking, we decided to go see the newly released movie Cinderella.  We actually got to see the movie in the same theatre where it was debuted for the first time.  The next day was a typical cold and dreary London day.  We started off by seeing the changing of the guards at the Buckingham Palace.  From there we toured Westminster Abbey.  We finished our night off by going to see the musical Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty Theatre.  The girls had seen a billboard advertising the show and asked if we could go.  Ryan and I knew this could go one of two ways.  Either the girls were going to be bored to death or absolutely love it.  They LOVED the show!!  They were such well behaved ladies and enjoyed every minute.  Ryan and I were very proud of them.  They are STILL singing songs from the show.

Day 4 of London was very relaxed.  Our goal was to just walk and enjoy the town, visit some fresh food markets, and play in the park.  Chloe's favorite moment was when she was about attacked by this pigeon trying to eat her muffin at the park.  The Easter Bunny also visited our hotel.  The girls were shocked he could find us and were excited about all he left.

The next day was our last.  Our train left at 7:00 pm so we set off to see a few more sites London had to offer.  We saw the changing of the Horse Guards, went to Piccadilly Circus, Herrods, and Hyde Park before it was time to head home.

We all decided that this was SO much fun!  We really enjoyed our time in London and the girls keep asking when we can go back.  

Springtime Visitors

Spring Visitors

After MUCH wait and excitement, my mother and aunt came to Belgium for a visit.  This was my aunt's first trip to Europe and I was so excited she was staying with us.  I knew the two of them together...in Europe... was going to be full of adventure and TONS of laughter.  They did not disappoint.  We had so much fun!

They were here over the girls' spring break so the girls and I got to play tour guide.  (I assure you, Ryan is MUCH better!)  We traveled all over Belgium, a quick trip to Germany, and took a weekend trip to Paris.  So many funny memories, delicious food, tons of shopping, and sights seen.

 Every time I think back to them being here a HUGE smile spreads across my face. I feel so thankful and blessed they were able to be here.  I love when we get to share our life here with those we love.  

Keukenhof

Keukenhof

One of the places I have always wanted to go is in bloom. I have seen the pictures and heard stories of the colorful beauty of the tulips.  Finally, I get to go and see for myself. We loaded up the car early in the morning (only 45 minutes past when Ryan wanted to be on the road) with tired kids, snacks, and electronic devices. Traffic was great and the glorious sun brightened our way. 

After getting stuck in a horrible traffic jam, we finally parked our car and headed in to Keukenhof.  I was not quite sure what to expect, but this is more like a tulip themed amusement park without the rides.  There are more gardens and flowers than can be counted.  The tulips were displayed in sprawling arrangements in every shape, color, and design imaginable.  We were all in great awe at the beauty surrounding us.  As we walked through the park we were sure to take in the flowers, waterfalls, ponds, food, flower displays, and the petting zoo.   The weather could not have been better and we all had a wonderful time.

The Joy of Car Shopping

Car Shopping...

Now that the tears have stopped, the frustration is over, and I can look back and (sort of) laugh at our attempt to purchase a car for me, I have decided I will fill you all in on our experience.

Once our house sold, we were able to finally look for a car.  Ryan and I wanted to be able to pay cash for the car and we wanted a good, safe, CHEAP, used car.  I am primarily driving to and from the grocery and the girls' school.  I wanted a SMALL car, something easy to park.  This sounds do-able, right?  WRONG!

We started our search with looking online.  We also went to dealerships that others had recommended.  We quickly learned that you had to have an appointment to see a car and what you saw wasn't necessarily the truth.  We spent a few hours for a couple of weekends driving around and looking at certain lots.  Finally, we realized we were just going to have to take a Friday and make a ton of appointments and go look at the cars.  With appointments made and our trek mapped out, Ryan, Chloe, and I set off the moment the girls got on the bus for a day of car shopping.  One goal in mind.  Walk away today with a car.  We went to every one of our places and when we got there either the car had more damage than the dealer let on, or the car was not there.  Even though we had made the appointment, they didn't bother to tell us the car was gone.  We decided to stop for lunch and regroup.  We went back to the Internet, found 4 more cars to take a look at, called and made appointments.  

Two of the cars listed online as available, were actually sold.  We were on the way to look at the next car when we got a call stating it had been sold.  At our last choice Ryan test drove a car, but we saw another one we liked a little better.  SUCCESS!  As we sat down to fill out paperwork on the car we just verbally agreed to purchase, the salesman takes a phone call.  Apparently, another couple had been in last week to see the car, and were willing to pay full price so the salesman took our paper and told us we no longer had a deal.  To say Ryan and I were frustrated would be an understatement.  Furious, some words were shared and we walked out.  We stopped off at a dealership very close to the house and saw a car we liked.  The dealership was actually selling it for a friend so he had to call to see if they would take the price we offered.  After waiting for a few days, we found out the owner had already sold the car to someone else.  

Ryan and I were both at our breaking point.  I was sick of walking two and a half miles at least one time a week to buy groceries and cleaning supplies for a family of five.  It was no easy task or a safe one.  The girls were missing out on school activities because I couldn't pick them up after school and when they are trying to make friends, it makes it very difficult to be missing out on things.  Ryan was SWAMPED at work and adding this to his plate was stressful for us both.  

Ryan had decided he had enough and went to a Ford dealership by our house.  He was there to see a car for sale he had seen online.  Once he got to the dealership, he found out it was already sold.  (Are you seeing a theme yet?)  Frustrated, he told the salesmen to show him what they DO have for sale.  Ryan ended up purchasing a car that he hated the color and didn't even test drive.  It takes a week after you purchase the car to get to have possession.  The car must go through an inspection and the owner must have proof of insurance before getting the keys.

I took on the adventure of insurance shopping.  No easy task, I assure you.  I ended up going through our bank and the lady could not have been more helpful.  She was WONDERFUL to work with.  After purchasing our outrageously expensive insurance I was sent to Brussels License Branch to get plates.  My insurance lady called them to ask about what I needed and she prepared everything for me just as they had stated.  Normally, the place you get  your insurance from gives you your plates, but because I still don't have my Belgian Residence Number, I had to get temporary plates.   I drove the next day to get my plates.  Once I got there, I found out they told my insurance lady the wrong information.  I called her to let her know and she was furious.  She called the License Branch and told them since it was their mistake they are going to do what they originally said they would do.  I went back up the next day and I got my temporary plate.  

One would think all is well with the world.  We have plates.  We have insurance.  We have a car.  But...you need front plates for the car to be able to drive legally.  No problem, I called the car dealership to confirm they would be able to make front plates and they said they could.  Perfect!

Ryan wanted to be the there to pick up the car, but his car had to be serviced before we left (the next day) for our fall break trip.  I dropped Ryan off to pick up my car and drove his car to Mechlen to be serviced.  He would pick Chloe and I up as soon as he got my car.  Another perfect plan, right?  WRONG! The dealership couldn't make the front plate because mine is red.  They can only make normal plates.  UGH!  Fuming, Ryan called me and I told him the insurance lady told me we go to shoemakers to get duplicate plates. (logical, right?) He very carefully and illegally drove to the shoemakers.  Yes, actual shoemakers but they do make duplicate plates,of course they were all out license plates.  So, Ryan ended up at home and Chloe and I got to sit at the dealership service department for 6 plus hours.  At least one of the workers took us to a place to get a sandwich for lunch.  

After Fall Break, Chloe and I once again took Ryan to work (when we did this, Chloe and I spent about 4 hours total in the car the whole day) and set out to get RED duplicate plates for my car.  I called a place that assured me they did duplicate temporary plates.  When I got there, they told me they don't have red plates.  I went to three other stores that did duplicate plates, but none of them did the temporary ones.  FINALLY, the fourth store I went to, did make red, temporary  plates.  I have never wanted to hug a strange man so badly in all my life.  

I finally was able to drive my car!!  Chloe and I took off the next day for some fun!  My temporary plates only get me through November 30th, then I get to go back to Brussels (I hate driving there) and get my real plates. (If I have my Belgian Residence Number by that time.)  Oh Joy!

I am finding things that are relatively simple in the US, are very frustrating and nearly impossible here. I  just keep asking myself, if I didn't have this task to do, what else would I do?   I am learning lots about how to survive and do the day-to-day tasks.  I have often stopped to wonder if this is how people who move to America feel.  Do they find our daily tasks confusing or cumbersome?  Getting things accomplished here is always tougher than it sounds, but I am determined to find the humor in it all.  I would rather laugh than cry; some days are easier than others.  I'll have to update this post once we get the permanent plates.

UPDATE:

With the holidays and family visiting, I never got around to getting this posted to the blog.  It is now January and all seems to have settled a bit.  Here is the update on the car.

I would love more than anything to say when November 30th came around that all my paperwork was taken care of and I could get my permanent plates for my car.  But, as the way life seems to go here it wasn't that simple.  Ryan got a message stating we needed to head to the commune for some final paperwork.  We were under the impression we would be getting our Belgium ID numbers that day and we could proceed with getting the license plate for my car. In anticipation of such fantastic news I contacted our bank to arrange the proper paperwork for my license plate.  

In the typical Belgian way, the commune was not ready for us to get our Belgium ID.  Ryan could get his, but the girls and I could not.  It was going to be a few more weeks.  Needless to say I was not a happy woman and I left Ryan to handle his business and I went to sit in the waiting room.  Luckily, the poor lady felt sorry for my situation and arranged to get my numbers filed as quickly as she could.  By the end of the next week I had my new (temporary) Belgium card and Chloe and I set off for the License Branch once again.  The very kind lady at the Branch knew I was coming and I was in and out of there in about five minutes.  ( I will have to fill in the details about where I had to park to get to the branch and Chloe's quick education about the Red Light District another day.)  

Of course it would be too simple to give us the license plate while we were at the branch so, we had to wait for the postman to deliver the license plate to our home. They told me it would be 3 days before it would arrive.  For the first time ever, something arrived early.  The day the postman arrived to deliver my plate, I had forgotten my purse in Ryan's car.  I made the poor postman stand at our door while the girls and I found all the change we had in the house.  I needed 30 euros.  I don't know how we did it, but between all the chore money, tooth fairy money, and coins left in dishes and the couch; we had enough.  It only took us 20 minutes to count.

I am finally "legal" with my white plate and orange paper card.  I can't leave the country, but I can drive and right now, that is all that really matters.  No more 4 hour daily car rides for Chloe and me, the girls can participate in after school activities and visit with friends, and no more treacherous walks to the grocery store in ever changing weather.  This was ultimately a very frustrating situation, but I have learned to be resourceful, and more patient.  Most importantly, I learned to lean on God a lot more.  I am still working on patience (I think this will be a never ending lesson for me) and remembering there are some things in life totally out of my control.  I need to let go and trust God has a plan. Now, off to get more milk.....