I just posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook, as we are at Jeff’s office where we have internet connection. The kids are with us and playing “quietly” so Jeff and I can “work.”

My work consists of “playing” on Facebook and the internet and staying connected with my loved ones and writing my story. I should be shopping for furniture but this is more fun.

My story of the day today is that I am thankful for my new neighbors more than you know as we had a scare today that made me nervous, and they were there to help.

You see, we were all ready to go to town to get me a temporary cell phone and to pick up a few more kitchen items before heading to Amsterdam. We had been busy in the morning unpacking our suitcases (finally) and cleaning up the clutter and we were getting a later start than we had hoped. The kids were out on the porch and we were finally ready to go. Jeff locked the door, and then went to lock the deadbolt and that’s when the trouble started. You see in Holland, they have these locks on the door that once you close the door, the door locks automatically. This scares me because you can’t unlock the door from the inside either without the key. So we thought we’d leave an extra key inside the inside of the door just in case of a fire, right? Good thinking you’d think. But not so. The problem came when he was on the outside of the door, trying to lock the deadbolt and his key wouldn’t go all the way in, because the inside key was still in the lock and prevented him from getting his key in to lock or unlock the door.

And of course, us being the well prepared and scared Americans we locked all the windows and put sticks in the back door so that no one could get in, not even us!

That’s when the neighbors started arriving. And the rain came just to test our patience. And we called our relocation manager who called the real estate agent because the owner is on vacation and a lock smith was being sent at the cost of 95 Euros and would be there in a half hour and we had to pay him cash.

Can you see my anxiety rising? And the shiny smile on my face trying to keep everyone calm? Actually, everyone did quite well, and really, it’s not the end of the world – what’s the worst that could happen right?

The one neighbor who we hadn’t met yet, saw us struggling. I introduced myself and told her our situation and she was very kind and basically was pretty direct as most Dutch people are, telling us that what we did was pretty stupid! Not really, but Duh – obviously we shouldn’t leave a key in the door and that we’d never do that again. Duh. Stupid Americans. That was just me feeling that way – she was as polite and as sweet as possible and went to find a long stick with a hook on it and a hammer and a screw driver to see if any of those would help.

Nothing worked. Then Howard came over and took the kids to his house to get them out of the rain. The police also drove by and stopped seeing us trying to break in, when Margalith walked over to tell them all was all right that it was ok for us to be breaking in.

We were in luck when we noticed the top hinged windows were actually open. They open about a foot, maybe and we thought if we could unscrew the latch that Spiderman, AKA little C, could fit through the space and down to the floor to open the door for us.

Success! Our plan worked and Spiderman was so brave and we were relieved. We laughed at ourselves, thanked our friends and went shopping.

Spiderman picked out a new Holland Playmobil bus at the store – he was planning to spend his birthday money for a little bus he had seen at Blokker and had been bugging us for two days to go and get it. Today seemed like a good day for that. We also picked up a new local phone for me and bought flowers for our new friends.

It’s nice to live in a friendly community and to be loved.

All is well. Namaste. xo

Playing with his new reward and not being bored!

A new meaning to Pack and Play… We worked hard all day packing up suitcases and weighing them and shuffling things around and stacking piles and vacuuming and cleaning. We also had great friends drop by and received phone calls and emails with well wishes. It’s hard to pack for a major transition while daily life is still available for living. That’s where my parents come in…

My mom is the busiest and most industrious person I know. The dishwasher and washing machine and vacuum cleaner were going all day. As I filled suitcases, she was dusting out drawers and picking up Lego pieces, making us lunch and just providing support every step of the way.  As we packed and shuffled, my dad took the kids out for a fun filled day, being spoiled once again. They went out for lunch, swimming at Kona Kai and played miniature golf at Golfland before hurrying back home to see their friends who were waiting for them at our house.

Mom and I ran errands, picking up prescriptions and dry cleaning and pictures from C’s party for his scrapbook. We enjoyed the time together, not rushing and just enjoying the busy-ness of the day.  We came home to throw dinner together, cleaning out fridge and freezer making a delicious meal. The best part was there was no set time and friends kept joining us and sat at the table sharing friendship and conversation. At one point, I looked over at April and just said, “I am so Happy!” and she snapped this picture of me.

The kids were out back playing with water balloons and spy gear, laughing and running around. We enjoyed Michele’s gluten free chocolate chip cookies and left over dessert and no one wanted to leave.

I am going to miss my family and friends and know that the time will go by quickly – so no need for goodbyes – just so long, enjoy your journey and please share your stories with me too… we’ll see you again soon. xo

I love the number 3 – it’s my favorite number. What is yours?

3 days until we move – yikes!  But today was a day of celebrations and play.  I’ll work hard all day tomorrow and Tuesday to get the rest of the little details done before our flight. I think I’m in partial denial that we’re really leaving in 3 days. I also like to procrastinate and then cram at the end. How do you prepare for big events?

Today we celebrated our little one’s birthday by doing all the things he loved and wished for. The house was decorated with balloons and banners, gifts and cards. He requested Spy Gear and was thrilled with his spy glasses, watch and metal detector. We went to church and ran into our friends who invited the boys to come and play and have lunch before the big party. They were spoiled with a Papa John’s pepperoni pizza decked out with candles. Such a sweet gift for our little pizza lover.  

He wanted to have a Laser Quest party with all his friends and wanted to invite everyone he knows and loves, but we could only have a max of 15 players. The kids had a great time playing games and enjoying a cupcake cake and C’s favorite and requested dessert – cream puffs from Beard Papa’s.  I loved seeing how happy he was. After the party, he played outside with his friend until we went to enjoy a late dinner at Mongolian BBQ at his request. We tried talking him into other options, but there was no budging! I love that our kids are adventurous eaters. I hope they like the food in Holland too.

It was fun to spoil our little miracle baby and to watch him enjoy celebrating his milestone. We asked him if he wanted to celebrate his birthday in the USA or Holland and he picked California. We also let him pick our move date sometime after his birthday and he picked Wednesday. We let him pick because he was the most resistant to our proposal to move overseas. I think by giving him some say and a feel in the choices he is making, that it might help him buy into this entire process. He seems excited now so I think our plan might be working. I’ll let you know.

We don’t always spoil our kids this way, but on their birthdays, we like to let them choose how to spend their day and loosen up the rules and boundaries a bit, within reason.  I’d say it was a good day.  Thank you all for the well wishes. He enjoyed all the cards and phone calls and gifts.  Next year, I wonder where we’ll be celebrating?!  So excited to discover new traditions.  xo