This trip has been a bit of a dream for me. Everything is falling into place beautifully.
We were able to open up our french bank account without any problem. (All I have read about is how difficult it is to open up a bank account in France). We also signed our lease for our apartment today.  We met the landlord who was a lovely man willing to accommodate our few requests. I also phoned a few bilingual schools in our neighborhood and found out that one may be able to accommodate our children. When we met with our relocation agent today and told her about the school she said, "oh that is a very good school but I just want to warn you that there is probably a 50/50 chance of them getting in". We said "well, that's better than nothing." She said, "I need to tell you that I used to teach at that school and I am very good friends with the Headmistress."  We said "really!" Then we asked if she could put a good word in for us and she said that she absolutely could and would call the Headmistress on Monday. Isn't that amazing !!!!!

As we were walking around this beautiful city today I was talking with God and said "so you are in Paris too." This trip has been so revealing of Gods love. He has shown me over and over that He has us in the palm of His hand. It gives me such confidence and peace for this new year.

 I love red and I am seeing it everywhere I turn.  We have another busy day.  We are getting a ton accomplished.  Will be back soon............

Isn't he a cutie pie?  The parisians love their dogs (they just don't want them in their rentals).  Ha.  We had lunch yesterday and "Claude" strolled in and sat next to our table.  He was 15 years old and turned his nose up to the bread we offered him.

I must tell you that we are finding the french to be nothing but kind, helpful, and friendly.  Not in the Texas "bear hug"  kind of a way but helpful in their own right. 

Prior to this trip, I had my nose buried in a myriad of books explaining the  french culture.  I ended up with a knot in my stomach because everthing I read was so negative......and I believed it.  I have an absolutely different view and I truly feel that people are people no matter where they are in this great big world of ours.  We all want to connect with one another and we are all flawed. 

The french children I read about "who sit at restaurant tables for hours on end not saying a word" is rubbish.  I have seen so many crying, screaming, biting (yes, I saw a child bite her mothers hand today) children on every corner.  Children are children wherever you go.  There are obedient children and then you have those children with that glimmer in their eye ready to test you at every turn. 

I hope to share "my french experience" with you.  Yes, I am a half glass full kind of a gal but I know there will be days when I will want to scream and pull my hair out because of this culture shock and you will bare witness to those outbursts.  All in all, I am pleasantly surprised at the reserved warmth the french are showing us. 

Yes, it's true. That bright, pretty little apartment will be our home. We were so excited to hear the news. We are going to walk over to see her today and check out the neighborhood.

On a different note, we are having great difficulty finding any bilingual schools that have openings for Max and Sophie. We are also having trouble finding private french schools. We have done our research and the public schools are phenomenol throughout Paris. The Parisians spend a lot of their tax dollars on education and they place a high priority on education. We have heard from countless Americans who moved to Paris when they were children and were put into the public school system and thrived. Gulp. I did not sleep a wink last night worrying about all of this.

There is a private school right across the street from our apartment that has no openings but I can be one pushy broad (in a good way) when it comes to my kids. Dan and I are going to dress to impress, bring a folder of paperwork and see if we can talk with someone in person at the school. We shall see.

We may have to put them into a public school in our neighborhood for the next semester and pray that we can get them into a bilingual school this fall. Registration begins in January for the Fall.

Mommy shouts, "Max, stop strangling your sister," To which Sophie replies "it's okay Mommy, I do not mind." I miss looking behind me and seeing my little chicks following. So much of this trip is centered around their adjustment to this new life. I pray we are making the right decisions.

I called my Mom and she said that everyone is doing fine. She forgets how much they eat and how picky Sophie has become. Such the purist.  Mom told me that they were at the park for hours when Max came running up to her saying "Nana, I think weather is blowing in, we should leave." Nana was enjoying herself spread out on her blanket and said "oh, we ' ll be okay."  About 20 minutes later she saw a family running to their car and Max said" I think it's a tornado. " Mom moved her little tush as quick as lightening into the car and back home. Welcome to Texas where the weather can turn on a dime!

My Mom also informed me that wasps had invaded the living room.  Lovely. She thinks they have made a nest in the chimney. I told her to turn the fireplace on and call the exterminator  which she had already done. Why of why do these things happen when we are thousands of miles away?

Mom keeps on assuring me that everything is fine. She is fine and kids are fine and Carolyn is off visiting friends. Ha. Miss you guys and love you to bits!

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After lunch we stumbled upon this old beauty.  Can I just say "it was love at first sight".  From the beautiful entry door made of wrought iron that led us into the old building, the long  hallway with marble floors glistened as our feet touched it, the strollers stacked next to the elevator charmed us, the tiny elevator that took us to the fifth floor where our house met us with tall doors and shiny brass knobs beckoning us to come in. 

Once the realtor turned the knob, sunlight spilled into the outer hallway and called to me.  As I walked into the entry of the apartment, two beautiful old french doors with original glass stood wide open exposing the bright, sunny, frenchy living and dining room which had two large windows facing the front of the building with balconies.  The kitchen is right off the living area and quite large by Paris standards.  A long hallway took us to the bathroom and small office (playroom/guest room).  On the right was a lovely room with two twin beds and two end tables for the kids (sorry no bunk beds kids), a further walk took us to the master bedroom.  Wood floors creaked beneath our feet as we explored. 

This is the kind of place that I didn't dare dream of finding.  It is bright, open, roomy and in a quiet neighborhood.  It is in the 15th Arrondissement next to a school where we heard children playing at recess and a church bell ring on the hour. 

We are now in the process of getting "approved" by the landlord.  This apartment is our first choice and the small, dark apartment in the most amazing location is our second choice.  If only I could move this little beauty into the first apartments location.  Oh well.  C'est la Vie.

We will know in 48 hours which apartment we will call home.  Now, it's on to schools...........

I will have to make this quick as we are meeting our relocation gal in 45 minutes to look at 4 more apartments. It is quite interesting walking through all of these apartments. They are so much smaller and sterile in many ways. I think in the U.S. we view our homes as "our nest", therefore investing a lot of time and money into the decor. Most of the apartments that we saw have your basic furniture and Útlit and not much more. Of course, these are all rental apartments so the landlord obviously does not want to invest in high end furniture and decor just to have some American family with two kids destroy it. Oh, now I get it.

We have looked at five apartments this morning and absolutely love one of them. It has "the best" location. It is located in the 16th arrondissement is a quiet, narrow cobblestone street. The downside to this apartment is that it is very dark and quite small.

Enjoy the pictures and getting an inside look at how Parisians live. 

(Make sure you click on each picture to enlarge)
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Ah, sleeping in on Sunday.  We were in no rush to venture out because we know this will be our home for at least a year.  

Once out,  families surrounded us, little ones in strollers, big kids on scooters and roller skates navigating the sidewalks.  Pre-schoolers picking up large leaves scattered along the sidewalks holding them in their little chubby hands like bouquets.   We stumbled upon a beautiful outdoor market.  Amazing fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, fish, bread, pastries and flowers.  It is truly a feast for the eyes.  We sat at an outdoor cafe for lunch, shoulder to shoulder with our neighbor, watching the world go by.  The sun came out to warm us as we ate.   

We wandered side streets today and embraced the quiet.  We spent much of our time in the 15th and 16th arrondissement.  (This is where we hope to live).  It truly has a neighborhood feel to it.   We were secretly proud to be mistaken for french over and over again.  

We ended our day running into Americans who just got engaged.  So natural to scream "Oh my gosh, congratulations" and hug the young woman.  Bosom buddies immediately.  I love "love" and gushed  about marriage and family.  She cried, she was so happy.  I cried.  Best of luck Heather and Brett.   How romantic to get engaged in Paris!  

Tomorrow will be very full as we will be looking at 8 apartments.  I will be taking many photos and post them for you.   

We are sleep walking through Paris today after our long flight.  It is a beautiful, cool, and sunny kind of a day.   Enjoy looking through my lense............ 

Mom and Aunt Carolyn  flew in from California last night and Dan and I are flying to Paris tonight.  Mom is such a peach.  I can't tell you how many times she has flown out to watch the kids.  Sophie is looking forward to all the baking they will do and Max can't wait to play with her.  

I will try and post every day while in Paris including photos and updates on our apartment, etc.  We go apartment hunting on Monday at 9am sharp.  The realtor will have about 8 places for us to see.  We also have appointments at schools ,etc. 

Let me know if you want specific photo's, etc.   Thanks for all your support everyone!  I am full to the brim with love and well wishes.  I am so blessed!