He's walking

Our cute little Ethan is now walking. He actually took his first steps 2 weeks ago, but now he is cruising around everywhere. He takes a few steps, wobbles on one leg for a second or two, and we all hold our breath to see if he can keep himself up. Then he gets that next foot down and keeps going. He'll stumble, fall and get right back up a million times, but he keeps going. It amazes me how determined and resilient he is. He tries so hard to keep his balance and not let his head get too far ahead of his feet. He knows where he wants to go--it just takes a little concentration and will power to get there. Sound familiar? I know that feeling. Thanks, Ethan for reminding me to take my time, to not let my head get ahead of my feet.

Another Kindergartener!

Our sweet, sensitive little Eric has reched the ripe old age of 5. And with that comes the kindergarten experience. I was a little more nervous about his first few days. After all the time I had to spend away from him this summer, he reminded me constantly of how much he missed me when I was gone. I was sure I was going to get a call in the middle of class that he was upset. But, I was thrilled to pick him up at the end of his first day with no tears or sadness. In fact, he made sure to tell me that he didn't miss me at all (gee, thanks :)) Actually, I was relieved that he was enjoying himself so much. In fact, he enjoys school so much that one day this week, he was 25 minutes late to class because he hadn't heard the kindergarten bells (it is rather confusing. All I know is that kindergarteners have to listen for 2 bells and Amelie, who is a big 2nd grader, has to wait for 4 bells.) He has also already lost (and found) his lunchbox and one day afterschool, he followed the bus kids all the way to the bus lane and was waiting in line with them as his teacher, Amelie, Tanner, Ethan and I frantically searched for him. There is never a dull moment with Eric. He is so cute and so kind and fun. I am sure he has said some fun (and probably silly) things already in class. I am so thrilled that he has entered the world of academia. That's my boy!

Seat belts

I honestly will admit I had become far to lackadaisical about my kids in their seat belts. It is a chore and a half to simply get them into the car, let alone buckle them up, especially since I know that they can do it themselves. Sure, I would call to them to 'Buckle up!' but I didn't always follow up with a check to be sure they had. Until now . . . a friend of ours was in a car accident and the two NOT in their seat belts were the two most severely injured--one fatally and our friend wh ois now out of ICU but still not out of the woods. He is 17 and in the hospital in Ogden, UT for who knows how much longer. Thankfully, he is healing quickly. Still, it was a blatant reminder that if I don't insure that my kids know how important it is to buckle up now, when they are in a car without me, they won't think twice and will buckle up immediately!

IB Training

IB Training

Jim, Ethan and i have been in New Mexico this week for some IB training that I needed to receive. It has been awesome! I miss the other kids, but the training has been well worth my time. IB is the International Baccalaureate Programme. It is a wonderful program that offers students an opportunity to excel in many different areas--to become a well-rounded student, better prepared for university than any other program I have worked with. I could go on and on, but since I have limited time right now (I'll add more later), here is a picture for my kids of where I am at and another of Ethan and me on a hike up above the castle.
Here is a link to the United World College where I have been for my training. It is beautiful here. I believe if an American student wants to go to the UWC, they can apply to come for free. What an amazing opportunity that would be!

http://www.uwc-usa.org/default.aspx

France

Our trip to France went very well. It was wonderful to be back. I love the movie Sabrina with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. In it, a mentor to 'Sabrina' reveals a truth I often feel as I step back on French soil. She says, "America is my country, but France (or Paris--I can't rmember which she says) is my home.' That is exactly how I feel. Being able to talk to native speakers, too, was a big plus. I love teachign French, but it is not eve remotely the same as speaking fluently with Frenchies.
I loved the baguettes and fromage (cheese), the frites and mayonaise sauce (I realized this time--thanks to a very observant husband--their mayo has dijon mustard in it and it is SO good he brought 4 containers home!). I loved the pastries--pain au chocolat and viennoise and a new named one, though it tastes a lot lke the viennoise I used to eat. And you can't forget crepes and creme brulee and tarte tatin. Oh man. We even found a real gelatto store in Paris. I could go on and on about the food. I didn't care that I am stll way overweight from this last pregnancy. I simply enjoyed every morsel of food I ate!
And the sites! I never get tired of Notre Dame, La Tour Eiffel, l"arc de Triomphe, Le Louvre, Le Musée d'Orsay, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, le Pantheon, La Madeleine, La Sainte-Chapelle, Les Catacombs, La Bastille, L'Opéra Garnier, Le Musée de l'Orangerie, Le Jardin des Tuilleries, L'Obelisque, Les Invalides, . . . what else did we see in Paris? Breath-taking
And then I loved the Cathedrale in Chartes. The gardens behind were amazing. The stained glass was magnificent. We ate lunch on the steps of the Cathedrale--so picturesque. And what made it even better was that I found many hydrangea bushes there. They are so beautiful in France! I discovered them during my mission in Frnace and still, they are my favorite flower, hands down.
Nothing could compete with Orléans and visiting with Blandine and her mom. I loved being able to just wander and to shop and take in the culture. Elisabeth was wonderful and so kind and wonderful to us. Ethan loved her! (I think it was mutual--he has his own little French Grandma now). We saw a museum about three internment camps just outside Orléans. We saw a Chateau and LOTS of Jeanne d'Arc stuff.
But for emotional, nothing could beat the feeling of the Normandy Beaches from the D-Day Invasions. I teared up more than once at the beaches and especially at the American Cememtery. There is nothing like it. Point du Hoc was an amazing testament of what happened there 67 years ago.
I loved every minute in France-the food, the language, the sites and the culture. I can't wait to go back!

Family Pictures

When Mary was here last weekend, we went up along the road that Jim drives every day at work to take some family photos. Well, I forget how much work it is to get little kids to stand in the right spot, look at the right second and do it over and over again, let alone having the cooperation of a baby. So they are a little candid and crazy, but here are a few . . .

4 days til departure~

In just FOUR short days, Jim, Billy, Ethan and I will be boarding a plane on our way to France! Last year when I attended the firt meetings, it wasn't really something I was planning on doing--I would have gone had tere been the need for another chaperone, but I was okay to wait until the next trip to head a group. Not because I didn't want to go but because I knew I would have a little baby and it would be a big chunk of time away from my children. However, as things played out, I needed to step in and take the lead. And I have learned so much. I absolutely love the company with whom we are travelling. Language and Friendship is a wonderful organization and the idea of a family stay is amazing. I am so excited for my students--and a little jealous that I didn't have such an opportunity when I was their age. But I do get to stay with friends while they are with their host families for a week. And at least I get my husband and my baby with me. It has been a challenge and a sacrifice on many levels, but when cards come your way and an opportunity like this arises, you have to take it and run. My other children who don't get to go this time know that since I have/get to teach French for a while now, they WILL get their chance to go with me. And that is exciting for us all as it motivates me to keep teaching them French and gives me a fringe benefit of having to teach. My mouth is already watering for my first pain au chocolat aux amandes (my favorite patisserie) and a viennoisse (my second favorite). And how often do you get to go back to TWO wards in which you served as a missionary to visit?
I can't begin to thank my wonderful, dear friend Jennifer for being so willing to watch the three little kids we will be leaving hee. I get more and more anxious about leaving them, not that they won't have a blast with her--they love her children--and her--so much. I am just going to miss them dearly. But we will call and send postcards to them, so that will help. Paris or BUST!