I am so thankful we have a car and have the luxury of time to explore this beautiful country.  Daffodils are marking the beginning of Spring.  Buds are ready to burst on the trees; the leaves are eager to unfold.  Spring will take over the hillsides and villages in a matter of weeks. 

We drove through village after village in the Normandy region.  I could not "click" my camera shutter quick enough.  Every turn, every curve brought yet another charming church, house, and shop.  I don't think I could ever tire of the images layed out in front of me.  The age, the charm and the beauty is intoxicating. 

I am looking forward to sharing with you the highlights of yet, another amazing weekend in France.  This is an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. 

We are driving to the Normandy area this morning.  The kids will get another history lesson on "Omaha Beach", the sight of the D-day invasion.  We are also going to visit Mont St. Michel. 

I will share pictures of our weekend soon.......

We have completed one of the last steps to become a "legal" resident in France. We have had the benefit of Dan's company along with a legal firm help us file the necessary paperwork to attain residency.  Our visa will expire in three months so getting the proper paperwork filed on time is of utter importance.

Dan and I had to have a medical exam at the immigration office yesterday.  Our appointment was at 8:30 am so we woke early and found the office, which was not in the most stellar of neighborhoods.

We arrived at 7:45am only to find a line 20 people long. We found our way to the back of the line, thankful that it was not raining or too cold.  Grafitti was painted on the buildings, urine stains marked the sidewalks.  A lone porcelein toilet sat near the curb waiting to be picked up by the trash men.  

The kids barely noticed and played "eye spy" and "trampoline" (hanging onto our hands and jumping up and down).  As 8:30am approached, the line was nearly 100 long.  We noticed about 15 people step right to the front of the line, we assumed they would push their way inside.  We shrugged our arms, this is such a part of French life. The doors opened and we were shocked that the staff noticed and ordered these people to the back of the line. (The French are very passive and rarely take such a stand). 

We shuffled inside with everyone else, I was nervous because I had heard that this experience can be "interesting" for woman.  I have heard to "be prepared to parade around with your top off going from doctor to doctor."   Yikes!  Orders were barked out, I was told that I did not need a medical exam because I will not be working in France.  Phew!! 

Dan was whisked off. I sat next to the kids playing their "leapsters" praying that they were right because I really do not want to come back to this place.  Dan had his chest x-ray, bloodwork and an exam and was finished within an hour.

He sent off all of his paperwork to the legal firm and we are crossing our fingers that we will have this important part of our residency complete.......fingers crossed.

No one said this year was going to be easy.  It is going to be filled with ups, downs, twists and turns.  I have a choice; am I going to stomp my feet put my hands on my hips and fight it or am I going to throw my hands in the air, stick a smile on my face and laugh and scream, enjoying the ride?  

I choose the latter, no matter how unexpected the turns may be.

I choose to enjoy the entire ride!

Mom gave me an amazing recipe for Cauliflower Soup which I have renamed "100 euro soup" because that is what it ended up costing me after I had to buy the ingredients along with a large soup pot and a small food processor (I was actually surprised at how inexpensive that was).

Can I tell you?  It was worth every euro and then some.  Give it a try even if you aren't crazy about cauliflower, it is rich, creamy and full of flavor.

100 Euro Soup

1 head cauliflower, cut into 10 cups
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic coves, halved or chop up
2 TBSP. Olive oil
3 1/2 C. Chicken Broth
1 C. Water
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 C. half and half
salt and peper to taste

Turn oven on to 400 degrees.  Cut up onion, garlic, and cauliflower, drizzle olive oil over them, toss to coat, roast until brown and soft.  Around 30 minutes (I added potatoes as well)

Heat the rest of the ingredients in a large soup pot, add roasted vegetables, toss in bay leaf, bring to a boil, simmer until cauliflower is tender. 

Put everything in a food processor or blender, puree until smooth, return to soup pot, add half and half, season with salt and pepper.  Enjoy. 

You can also add gruyere cheese to the soup at the end.  Don't forget a crunchy baguette. 

The sunlight streamed through our bedroom window this morning, the birds were singing, I reached over and felt my husband lying next to me.  All seemed right in the world. 

He has been stranded in New York for three days due to mechanical problems with aircraft and then weather.  Having him home feels as if a weight has been lifted. 

Our days have been stretched out before us, apart from each other, with so much to discuss. We individually contemplated the kids and their schooling. When we finally had a moment to discuss the kids in person, we were on the exact same page, the same sentence the same word. It solidified our decision.

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for your prayers, support and suggestions. I was humbled by the love that you showed for our kids.

Our decision is to discharge Max and Sophie from their current school and homeschool them.

Yes, there are other bilingual and private schools in Paris purpose there are no openings this late in the year.

There was the option of putting them into our neighborhood public school but we did not feel comfortable putting them into, yet another school, especially one where they would not be able to understand the language. Only to have them taken out of that class in a few months for summer break and put into a new class in the fall. Our contract is only for a year stay in Paris Which would mean pulling them out of the said French school again at the end of December only to put them into a new class when we arrived back home to Texas in January.

Our dream of the kids learning French was at the bottom of our list when making a decision in regards to their schooling  Our main concern was their happiness, safety and spirit not being broken.

One of the many disappointments of the bilingual school was that the children were not having daily French lessons as we were told.  They had two classes a week and they weren't learning as much as we had anticipated. 

We are looking into hiring a French tutor to come into our home to tutor me as well as the children. 

So, as you can see, some changes are in the making.  My dream of living in Paris did not include this hiccup but I guess that is why they call it a "dream".  We will get the wrinkles ironed out of this and continue on, grateful for this opportunity. 

The history alone is going to make homeschooling a breeze.  Just think of the field trips we will be able to take, steps outside of our door.

I pine for her wisdom, I long for her advice, I listen Intently when it is given. She holds it tight to her breast, afraid of interferring. Her grandchildren force her to speak the truth in love. I hang onto every word, taking it in, weighing it with my own thoughts.

She beckons me to listen to our Father, not to shy away from the pain, walk through it; refinement is a process, sometimes slow, some flames are hotter than others.  God never leaves nor forsakes.  Don't run.  The Son is on the other side.

She has her nose in the Word, sending inspiration and truth across the ocean that divides us.  The words are like cold water, they startle me, awaken my spirit, remind me that I am a child of God.  I have power within, His power.  I will not be afraid, I will enter the dark cloud that is settling down on my life because God is in it.  The other side is radiant with His glory. 

So I shall plunge into the blackness of the darkness, as scripture requires, I will not flinch under the shrouding curtain of His presence  and I am certain I will find God waiting for me.

Many reading this post have their own set of struggles.  Some are much more worrisome than my own.  It is all perspective, isn't it?  These words are not just for me but for you as well.  "When you seem the loneliest and most forsaken, God is near".  

He will reveal to you the treasures of darkness,
the riches of the glory of the mystery.

"Mystery is only the veil of God's face"
Exodus 20, 21

Children are the "unsung heroes" in my opinion.  They have no choice in the matter (for the most part), they don't find "this new adventure" necessary, and they are content with their "normal life" at home. 

Yet, they put on a happy face, take their parents lead and think of all the exciting adventures they will soon embark upon (even though, since they never new about them, what could they be missing?).

As most of you know by now, Max and Sophie are the greatest gifts God could ever have given Dan and I.  We waited many years for their arrival and we have always been extremely grateful to be their parents.  We take this parenting "gig" very seriously (sometimes too seriously, I am certain). 

Becoming a parent has changed Dan and I in numerous ways and I have to say "for the better".  It has forced us to take our eyes off of ourselves and to think as more of a unit, to think of the future, to think of the legacy we want to leave for our kids. 

Which brings me to our current issue, Dan and I grappled to get Max and Sophie into a specific bilingual school in Paris.  We were thrilled when they were accepted. 

I remember the feelings Dan and I experienced as we walked them to school that first day.  The school looked so unfriendly and dreary.  My first impression was not positive.  The day seemed to drag on until we were able to pick them up.

Dan and I arrived about 20 minute early and we were sitting in a small hallway waiting to retrieve our little darlings,  We could tell a class was released for the day because we heard loud voices, next came a young girl, all of 14  running down the stairs screaming "I don't give a flying f***" and a boy was chasing after her.  Dan and I just looked at each other.  Next came a group of boisterous pre-teens yelling, kicking each other, and swearing at one another as they exited the building.     

We have tried to keep an open mind.  We have tried to follow the correct avenues to garner change but now we are at wits end.  In the less than two months that Max and Sophie have attended this school we have witnessed and heard as much as we are going to tolerate. 

Sophie has been pushed down, tripped, had her coat ripped, and called an "f****** loser" by a first grader.  She finally opened up completely to me this week and told me that she is afraid at this school and that the children say terrible things and that they swear all the time and that the teachers have no control in the classroom. 

Max has had his shirt marked on by a student, his school supplies taken, he has gone without lunch items because the teachers don't pay attention to him when his hand is raised and he needs to ask for a spoon for his yogurt, he too has been pushed down numerous times.  I had to ask him to "really" tell me how he felt about this school.  He started crying and said that the kids are wild and they don't listen to the teachers, that so many people say "oh my God" and how awful that is for him to hear day after day. 

Dan and I are on our knees praying for guidance.  We want to do what is best for Max and Sophie.  We are wrestling with pulling them out and homeschooling them or changing schools. 

We would love your prayers as we seek God's ultimate will for everyone in this family.   

My computer has been giving me fits the last two days which is the least of my worries.  The last few days have been challenging to say the least.  Dan has been in California all week and it seems that everything that could go wrong, did. 

Dan was supposed to be home this morning, but instead, he sits in New York, unable to get on a flight until tomorrow.

I will get back to everyone soon with some details.  God is good and His love endures forever! 

Sweet little vignettes like this stop me in my tracks.  I love the way the French merchandise.   I suppose this struck me so because the little girl looks a bit like my "curly girl" a few years ago.

There was a little stand with "all things miniature".  The sweetest little potted miniature flowers, pots, and baskets.  I was having a fabulous time looking at all the tiny treats until the owner saddled up beside me and just stared me down.  I tried to say a few words........she just stared.   Allrighty then I mumbled .......and I quietly exited.  I guess she didn't need a sale.

I found a sweet little boutique nestled behind one of the flower stands with beautiful iron lanterns and the most amazing French soaps.  I bought the rose scented soap and now whenever I walk by the bathroom, I feel as if I am walking past a rose garden.  The kids went nuts over it and insisted they take a bath.  Really?!