Dan will be leaving on a business trip soon and he is not happy about it.  He does not want to leave his family in a foreign country.  A new gray hair sprouts on his head everyday just thinking about it.  He has been busy working hard to keep us safe while he is away. 

He fixed the windows that did not close securely so the "boogee man" can't come and get us. 

He went to the hardware store and bought smoke detectors for the apartment.

My personal favorite, he came home after a long day of work  and installed my curtains in the kitchen for me. 

He didn't even look at me funny when I told him that I wanted part of the window uncovered because I like to look up at the sky every now and again.

Oh, I just love this man and the way that he loves his family.  He loves us openly and with passion but he also loves us quietly, the way most men do.  If you are blessed to have a man in your life, look around and see the way he shows you that he loves you.  I bet he is showing it in small ways, add them all up and they are huge. 

I have been enjoying Dan so much this last month.  While we were at the hotel, I didn't have a whole lot to do so we were able to meet for lunch often.  It was so fun to see him in the middle of the day and catch up on his life.....our life. 

Once we landed in Paris, we have been joined at the hip running here and there trying to get our affairs in order.  We have found cute little cafes to rest our tired feet and ponder what this year will bring.  

I can't imagine what awaits Dan in this french work enviornment.  Yes, he works for a french company in Texas but it is quite small and it is still Texas.  This office is much larger, it is the corporate headquarters and we are in france.  I woke up at 3:30am last night and couldn't get to bed again.  I was worried about him.  I want him to be happy and for this to be a good experience for him. 

Baby, if you are reading this, I can't thank you enough for "putting yourself out there" and taking on such a huge challenge.  I support you 110% and will be your cheerleader, your sounding board, your shoulder, and your best friend.  I am in awe of your intellect and your passion for all things family which includes working as hard as you do to provide for all of us. 

Happy Birthday Baby!  Who would have thought that a car accident would have brought us together?  That was the best thing that ever happened to me.  You were my hero that day and continue to be a hero to me and to our children.


I love this picture of you looking back at me.  I can see the love for me in your sweet eyes.  Thank you for loving me so passionately and with such intensity.  Did I just say that?  You are an intense man, no doubt about it.  I love it though.  I am not sure what you saw in me so many years ago but let me tell you what I saw in you and continue to see in you.....

First and foremost, you are fine!  (Hey, there needs to be chemistry, I don't care what anybody says).  You are by far the most gorgeous man I have laid eyes on.  That thick dark hair, your romanesque nose and chiseled features.  Oh, I could go on and on but I won't because I know how red you must be getting while reading this. 

I was attracted to your adventurous spirit.  I remember learning that you were a scuba diver,  pilot,  boater, motorcycle rider and bomb technician.  Can I just say "sign me up please":  I hit the jackpot! 

One of our first dates was on your Harley.  Oh, what fun.  I loved the many rides on the back of your bike cruising down Pacific Coast Highway.  The scuba diving was awesome too.  Remember our honeymoon?   You introduced me to a whole new world.  I was mesmerized by the beauty of our underwater world.  The flying, oh the flying.  I loved flying with you and learning the ins and outs of piloting airplanes and helicopters.  It's a miracle we made it through the boating.  I was such a "ding a ling" when it came to learning all there is to know about boating.  You would not allow me to just sit back and enjoy the ride.  Oh no, I had to learn how to back that trailer down the ramp, drive the boat onto the ramp, etc. etc.  I have to say that I never once was frightened of flying, boating, diving or motorcycle riding with you.  I ALWAYS felt safe with you.

The adventures that we have had all pale in comparison to your heart.  Your lifes mission is to make me happy.  You will do just about anything to make me and the kids happy.  Your selfless attitude and generosity is awe inspiring to me. 

I remember the anguish you felt about starting a family.  It was a tough decision but once again you knew how important having children was to me and you underwent years of infertility procedures right along with me. 

Once you found out you were going to be a Father you "kicked it into high gear" and have taken this "parenting gig" very seriously.  You have grown so much as a Father and human being.  Max and Sophie truly bring out the best in you. 

Today I celebrate the love of my life.  My life and my breath.  You are an amazing man and I appreciate all that you do for me and our family.  There are not enough pages to profess my love for you and all that you have done to enrich my life.  I love you!

I woke to a hot cup of Starbuck's coffee along with some yummy treats from Panera Bakery.  I am a Starbuck's junkie so this was quite a treat for me.  Dan took the day off and I kept the kids home from school to celebrate my 40th Birthday.  It was glorious. 

I asked Dan for a new "snazzy" camera for my Birthday and the man delivered.  Although, the first box that I opened was a "homemade" version of said camera.  I love practical jokes and Dan is the king of practical jokes.  Check out the camera that Dan and Max made for me.

We grabbed lunch and took a drive so I could yell to Dan "stop the car" and my family would get out of the car and pose for me.  They were very good about getting in and out of the car.  Thank you Dan, Max and Sophie for a wonderful Birthday. 

You will have to bare with me as I am learning this new "blog thing".  I realize now that I was quite vague with my first post.

Here is the scoop.  Dan works for a French company called Sagem, which is based in Paris.  Safran is it's parent company and owns many companies all over the world.  Dan was asked to go to the Paris Air Show in June.  At this show, he met with a number of people from Safran and we were told that there was a possibility of him going to Paris to work for a year or two and then return to Dallas.  I was jumping for joy upon hearing this news but we were under the impression that it would not come into fruition for another year or so.  Wrong!

Fast forward to this week.  A number of senior executives from Safran were in town and told Dan that he needs to be in Paris by January 2010.  We will be in Paris and "get this" the south of France for the next one to two years.  "Someone pinch me please."

We have a lot to do between now and then......let's see........we need to lease our house in Southlake, find an apartment in Paris, what do we do with our cars(?), what do we do with Otis (our dog?) , find a school in Paris, learn French (although the first three months Dan will be working half day and going to language school the other half), obtain visas, get all our important paperwork together, find a property management company, open up a bank account in France, the list is endless.  Breathe Gina breathe.  

I hope I answered some of your questions I received via email.  See, I love this already.  One quick blog and I cover all my bases.  Fabulous!