Day 102: Slowing Down

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Every day I play cards with my mom, while she’s here. We can just sit, chat, joke, laugh, reminisce, and drink something hot or cold, and JUST BE together – playing cards.

How often do you slow down and just relax? I’m not that good at this. I feel like I’m always in a state of movement and have a really hard time sitting still. I have a hard time reading a book, because that means I have to sit and focus and do only ONE thing, and that feels like a luxury, and usually I get distracted or feel like I should be doing something else!! I think I have ADD!!

But the good thing about writing this blog, is that every night I stop and focus and think about what I’m thankful for or what I’ve learned or experienced that had meaning to me. I never plan what I’m going to write. Usually around 11:30 pm or 12:30 am (or last night it was 2:30 am!) I finally sit and think and rest and write. Sometimes I reflect on what my friends and family are experiencing and spend a moment thinking about their journey and say a prayer for them, or I think of ways I could help or offer support/love. I guess stopping to reflect is a form of meditation and grace. It gives me time to be thankful and mindful for all that IS. (I was going to say good, but sometimes things are bad, or funny or sad, and they just ARE, and that’s ok, too.) I’m learning that life just IS, and it’s how I react and adapt to life that matters. And stopping to be really present is a gift that I kinda like. And for some reason I’m sharing this publicly, which I don’t quite understand why, but I do love that you read my story and share along with me, and sometimes even smile. Namaste.

p.s. Something to share about Holland – stores are typically closed on Sundays, except for the first Sunday of the month and then it’s shopping Sunday and the stores are open. So today we went shopping for warm clothes, especially for a warm, winter coat for Charlie. There are few choices and stores to choose from, and we only had to visit a couple until finding the right one at the right price! We went to the Makro, Perry and The Decathlon, and chose just the right coat at Perry. Lucky me, the one I chose was on sale with an extra 20% off. I still love bargains!! Afterwards, we walked into the Woon Mall – a large, indoor, mainly furniture and home wares mall, that also has the best ice cream in Holland. If you’re looking for good, premium ice cream (that isn’t gelato), then go try Australian ice cream. I know we’ll be back!! It was creamy and smooth and delicious, with the most fresh, crisp, cones! Mmm….

Oh, and while we were at the Makro, we bought food stuff to make a Boerenkool Stamppot for dinner. Basically, it’s a dutch comfort stew/mash with potatoes, kale, onions, bacon and something like kielbasa sausage. It’s very delicious and warms you up on a cold night. This is so Dutch, too! Mom made some brown gravy to put on top and we put spicy mustard on the sausage. Mmmm… I’m starting to feel hungry again!! It hit the spot! It’s nice having mom here to cook. 😉

31Oct2012

Day 98: Volendam

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Volendam is an old fishing village on the IJsselmeer. The village is built on a dike in North Holland and is known as a popular tourist attraction, for its old fishing boats and traditional clothing, and small houses in the village.

Today we visited with my mom and dad, enjoyed the sites and antique stores and tasted raw herring, which was not my favorite! Juliana and Christian didn’t have school today because of parent teacher conferences, so they came too. The sun was shining yet it was very cold. I realize how much I appreciate the sun shine when it came back today! I hope for a short winter here!!

19Oct2012

Day 86: Going to the Doctor

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A stomach virus is going around school and our little one happened to catch something! He seems well until the middle of the night, and then doesn’t feel good anymore. And then in the morning, he’s fine again. But today at school towards the end of the day, I received a call from Nurse Anita at the school. She is a typical Dutch lady who is full of pride and loves her job and the kids and has a strong opinion. She asked me to come pick him up and told me how this virus was going around school. She told me I didn’t need to see the doctor, but I already had made an appointment.

: Dutch Doctor’s Office

I don’t like going to the Doctor and don’t like to be a hypochondriac but I thought I should maybe take him in, just in case there was an obstruction in his tummy or something. When I called the doctor at 3:15 pm, he actually answered the phone himself. He told me that I was calling a bit late, and to come in at 5 pm.

When we arrived and checked in with the receptionist, she told us to have a seat in the waiting room and the doctor would be right with us. I didn’t have to fill out any paperwork. I didn’t have to show any ID or insurance documents. The doctor came into the waiting room to greet us, shook our hands and escorted us personally to his office. We sat down at his desk and chatted for awhile and then he invited Char to climb up on his examining table that was also in his office. There wasn’t a nurse or assistant doing anything to help out. They didn’t take his temperature. Nor did they weigh him. I kind of liked the personal touch of being human and not scaring the shit out of my kid. There was no intimidation and rather it was quite peaceful, even though we’d never really been to the doctor yet in Holland. He listened to Charlie’s stomach and let Charlie hear his own stomach. He told us that everything sounded and felt fine, and to watch and monitor him and to call back tomorrow if there was more discomfort. He told us of a delicate pain medicine we could give him over the counter and that we could pick it up downstairs in the pharmacy. When we went down to the pharmacy to buy the medicine, again they didn’t ask any probing questions and gave us the 50 pills that cost 1 euro and 20 cents. Really? Can you really believe that was even possible? Really? I think I like it here.

The doctor also gave us the number for the local hospital in case we needed care. He shook our hand, patted us on the back and wished us well as we left. A true, family man and a new friend in Holland.

18Oct2012

Day 85: Family Time

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Char was sick last night and was up from 12:15 am to 5:30 am! I kept him home from school today and I think he’s definitely recovering. I think he actually loved having his Oma and Opa all to himself. I hope he was just having growing pains and we can sleep tonight! Poor little guy. He’s been fine all day, so I’m praying for a restful night! Today we took it easy, hanging out and baking and cooking and went out for a short while. So far no signs of jet lag from mom and dad. All is good!

Making bread

Painting nails

17Oct2012

Day 84: Oma and Opa

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My mom and dad arrived safely today from California. I loved waiting for them just outside the customs gate, watching the shaded doors opening and closing revealing the grand entrance of all those departing the plane. I felt the doors were like wrapping paper and you’d be surprised who you would find as the paper came off. I loved watching a mama reunite with her baby, and a man who just climbed Kilimanjaro be showered with champagne and flowers and a banner announcing his accomplishment. All this entertainment, while waiting for my gifts!! I had the same giddy feelings of joy and happiness seeing my mom and dad walk through the doors too! We are so lucky they are here to visit, and it feels like home!

My dad has never been to Europe before and I just want to take him everywhere and show him the world! And hearing my mom speak Dutch to my neighbors, and translating for me in the stores, and reading the local newspaper in Dutch out loud to me is so cool! How lucky am I that I get to have them here for two months?? Some people think that’s a long time. I’m already dreading the day they have to leave…so I’ll get back to living in the moment and just enjoy every minute with them.

11Oct2012

Day 78: Bikram Yoga and Tennis

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I took a 90 minute Bikram yoga class today with my friend Jen, in Amsterdam. It was exhilarating and exhausting and hotter than I expected and hotter than Texas heated yoga. Twice I felt like I wanted to run out of the room to catch a cold breath. But I didn’t run and sweated right through the anxiety. At the end I was happy to have finished, even if I did have to rest in a few poses while everyone else was working so hard.

I came home drenched, and took a shower before making a pot roast and baked veggies dinner and rushing off to my tennis lesson.

Life is good! I’m happy and the kids are happy!

10Oct2012

Day 77: Enjoying the Kids

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Yesterday I enjoyed a girls night out in Amsterdam and left the kids at home alone. They are old enough and we’ve done it several times, and yet I still carry some of that mommy guilt and fear. Not that fear and guilt change my choices or decisions, but those feelings do creep in and take away a small bit of the fun factor. At the same time, it makes me appreciate the time by myself to be more than a wife and mother, which sounds so cliche, but true. I am happy when I do things for myself and I think these choices make me a better mother and wife because I get reenergized and refreshed and ready to give again. Agreed?

Charlie asked me before I left, why I had to go and didn’t I love him and his siblings? Good question and I turned it around and asked him when he spent the entire day and dinner with his friend whether he loved me. And of course he then understood and explained his and my answer for himself. He was content again.

They are such good kids and when I came home, they were happy and enjoyed a night out of their normal routine too. I wanted to reward them for cooperating with each other, and for taking care of one another while I was away. So today I had a couple ideas about what to do after school to surprise them and reward them. I believe in positive parenting and rewarding the behaviors I want repeated But I was also open to what they might want to do that could possibly different than my idea of fun. And it was slightly, and was even better. The little ones invited their friends to come home with us for a snack, to do homework and to play. And instead of bike riding to dinner, as I had planned, we all went together to this magical and fun place – called Farm Lake or Boerderij Meerzicht in Dutch. There is an animal farm, playground, beautiful garden area and a restaurant. Here they serve savory as well as sweet pancakes for dinner and they were delicious and fun to experience, and a much different flavor and texture than American pancakes.Thanks to Sally for telling me about this little gem. Check out the photos.

I loved today and playing with my monkeys! Just missed the big one who had homework! Life is good. xo

27Sep2012

Day 64: Our Honda in Holland

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Ssshhh! Don’t laugh…but our really fancy, clean, and shiny minivan is finally in our possession again! I never thought I’d be so excited to see it, but after having all three kids sitting in the cramped back seat of the rental car for the past 2 months, it really made me want to sing! I love that they can spread out and that there are sliding doors and room for all our stuff and extra seats for Oma and Opa when they arrive. It’s the little things that make me happy!

I’m sure I’ll be quite the sight with my sexy racks on top and Santa Cruz stickers… Ya, right! Just remember not to laugh!

It took 3 months from the time we shipped it until it’s journey through customs and adaptations until we could have it back today, and I am thrilled, even if it is a minivan!!

26Sep2012

Day 63: A Message from Charlie

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Good afternoon. This is Charlie speaking. I hope you are having fun wherever you are, but I think I’m having more fun because I’m on a big, gigantic vacation.

And my house, I think is more fun to play in. I feel really good in Holland. But, the school day is longer here but we have a 45 minute recess. The soccer field is like a real one and it’s made of fake grass and has two goals built in.  I met a new friend that is from Los Altos! I hope you’re having a fun time and I think you’ll like it here. You should come and see me or do what I’m doing right now! You should come to Holland. It’s a nice place. The weather is nice and cold. But it’s fun and warm for me. I only feel the breeze when it’s sunny and sometimes cold. But I’m still wearing my shorts and my soccer suits and shoes.

I like that there are lots of parks with very big playgrounds. Right near my house, there is a place called Adventure Island. Right near Adventure Island, there is a place that kids can drive boats. And there is a ropes course that’s called Fun Forest.

At my school, they have a forest, way in the back. It has a zipline. Our lunch room is brand new. My teacher is super nice! I wish all of my friends in America were here too! That’s what I miss the most!! My friends!

I hope the day was good for you. That is the end of your day when you read this good afternoon message. Good afternoon!! This is Charlie speaking. Oh, sorry. I was thinking something else. Well, back to what I was saying…I hope you enjoyed the good afternoon message. Done.

27Jul2012

Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam and Amstelveen

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We arrived safely and happily in Amsterdam today. Everything went smoothly. All the luggage was gathered and accounted for and we walked right through customs in less than 2 minutes! We reserved a mini bus to pick us up with all our luggage and the driver was right near the bus stand waiting for us, as expected. I love when things go as planned!!

He drove us to our new home where Lion was already waiting for us, with the doors and windows open and airing out the place. I believe it was 29 degrees celsius which is hot for here. There were flowers on the table from the furniture rental place, a bottle of wine from the home owner and a bottle of champagne from the realtor. We also had our first piece of mail addressed to the Hartley Family from Dorine and Nadja!

Once we got all the bags in the house, Lion took me and the two younger travelers to the Albert Hijn for groceries and assundries and to buy me some fresh flowers. It was wonderful since he drove us and I didn’t have to make several trips, even though it is in walking distance from our home. He helped me to read the labels, use our new bank card with a chip and pin, and use a euro coin to release the shopping cart. The kids were fascinated and C was picking out affordable cereal so I think he was happy too!

We rested shortly and then walked to dinner at an Indonesian restaurant where we enjoyed rending, sayer lodeh, noodles, rice, and mixed veggies. It was delicious, but the kids were fading fast! We hurried them thru and made one more stop at Dirk’s for bathroom soap as I missed that the first time around. I noticed that workers and shoppers don’t seem to greet one another and hardly even smile. It was especially apparent when we were so lucky to drop a set of 6 glasses out of our basket and they crashed all over the floor and no one hardly looked up, offered any help, or yelled at us. Nothing happened and it felt surreal. Nothing happened as we checked out either with glass every where. Nothing happened when the next set of customers kicked the glass pile either!! Why? I have no idea yet as to what to expect. I just wanted to hurry out of there!!

We walked back home with our paid for Dirk’s bag and were greeted by our first set of neighbors. They invited us in for a drink and we visited for a short while as we were waiting for the plumber to arrive. Its nice to have some friendly faces right next door, who invited us I. And shared some small plastic bowls for cereal in the morning.

And so now we are settling in for the night before 9 pm. Little C is sleeping in our room b/c the sun is too hot and shining directly in his room. Slap lekker! xo