When I began this blog last year, around this time, it was mainly a way to stay in touch with my family and friends while living in Paris.  It truly became that but so much more.  I had the pleasure of meeting so many amazing people and receiving much needed support and encouragement.

The title of my blog was "A Year of Change" and that it was.  Now, that we are back home, I am finding that I want to redirect my time and attention to other things.  While I loved writing and taking photographs, I feel like I need to move on.  (Those of you who have a blog understand that it takes a lot of time composing posts and adding photo's.)

Our life has very swiftly become full and busy.  The kids are back in school and beginning extra curricular activities, Dan is busy with work and I am getting my life back in order.  I am excited to begin a photography class with a few friends next month, deepen my walk from a series of classes our church is offering, volunteering in the kids classroom, hopefully getting my rear into the gym again, along with enjoying coffee and lunch with friends.  It's a sweet life and I am incredibly grateful for it.

I am also grateful to all of you who followed me and my family the last year.  I will continue to read your blogs.  Now that I am home, I will continue to connect with friends (in person).  We are already planning on spending Christmas in California with my family as well.   

Thank you so much for your friendship!

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am for these two

We dropped the kids off at school this morning and were met by
clusters of balloons, teachers, and counselors wearing school green colors standing at every entrance to personally welcome the kids.
 
Most know the kids by name

The halls are bright and colorful
Every classroom has each teachers personal touch

Max and Sophie ran down the hall to their class

I needed a kiss and hug
They obliged and didn't give a second glance as we left

That is the way it should be

We walked away so excited for Max and Sophie and all that this year will bring.

I haven't taken any photographs in the last couple of weeks and I am having withdrawals

I thought that those of you who live out of city, state and country might like a peak at Southlake, Texas

I love this city

We have a beautiful Town Square that attracts people from surrounding cities

Our City Hall, Library and Government offices are in this main building

We have a pavilion where concerts are held along with holiday festivities...

North Texas is way too far from any ocean, so like any Southern Town, you will find an abundance of fountains and small ponds.

Town Square is a great place to spend an afternoon.  It is full of restaurants and wonderful shopping. 

There are a bunch of great spots to take family photo's

They built some nice looking townhouses in the heart of the square

Southlake is nothing if not neat and tidy

I think that is one of the reasons why I love it

I like neat and tidy
I wish life were neat and tidy
but it is not

I also love that most people who live in Southlake, love the city

Outside of Town Square sit pretty subdivisions where people take care of their homes; lawns are green and mowed, flower beds are blooming.

We still have green spaces to explore as well
I can drive a couple of miles and see wide open spaces to enjoy

Horses grazing
Cows watching the world go by

Another thing that is so dang right about Southlake and Texas is....

The American flag and crosses abound

Flags wave in the breeze and Crosses sit high on top of the many churches

People are actually proud of both......
imagine that?

A few things would make Southlake absolutely perfect

For starters, let's stick her on the coast
and get rid of the 100+ degree Summer temperatures
while we are at it, can we get rid of the mosquitos too?

Oh well, life isn't meant to be perfect!

Happy Anniversary Baby!

I think of you whenever I hear the song below

I thought I would post pictures from our trip to Chateau Victome while I thank you for your never ending support.

Before I began my blog, I was unaware of the "blogging world".  Those of you who have your own blogs or read blogs know what I am talking about.  There is a whole other world out there and it is full of the most encouraging and supportive individuals.  

This post is for you and also for my family and friends back home.   

Thank you Mom and Dad for your support.  I know you find it difficult to understand my spirit of adventure, yet, you encouraged me and set aside your reservations and sadness.  I am forever grateful.

I have an amazing group of women in my family who have always encouraged me since I was a little girl.  They did not disappoint while living 5,000 miles away. 

Thank you Aunt Sally for your positive outlook and wisdom while living in France. 

Thank you Aunt Rita for your loving comments about me and my family. 

Thank you Aunt Jeannie for your enthusiasm and support. 

Thank you Keri, Nicole, Laura and Diane for following along on this journey and offering bits of humor and support along the way.

I am also blessed with some wonderful girlfriends scattered throughout California, Illinois, Florida and Texas. 

Thank you Gail, the best neighbor a girl could ever ask for.  Your love and support are endless.  You forever "kept me in the loop" of all the news in Southlake.  You were my constant cheerleader.

Miss Shelly, you amaze me.  You are dealing with so much in your life right now, yet, you found the time to encourage and support me.  You are a true friend.

Jenni, we go waaaaaay back.  Thank you for your God centered attitude and always steering me towards Him. 

My girl Marsha, I wish you would move back to Texas already.  Thank you for following along this journey with me, always with a supportive word or two. 

Heidi K., I loved hearing from you, you are a piece of Texas and such a thoughtful friend.  I can't wait to catch up with you and your kiddo's.

Aprile Lynn, you were one of my first friends in Texas and I am so glad that we have stayed connected through the years.  Your love and support always brought a smile to my face.

Melanie, a fellow twin Mom, your thoughtfulness was so appreciated.  Your support always came at just the right time.

Susanna, you surprised me....not really.  You, of course, could continue to support me while raising five children and working part time. 

Julie, it was always a treat to hear from you.  Your support was always inspiring. 

Brett, can I include you?  You are outed buddy.  I was so honored that you, a guys guy, read my blog.  I loved it.  Your comments and support were so encouraging.  Thank you for your friendship.   

I am sorry if I left anyone out, I know that a lot of you followed along but never commented.  I want to thank you as well, it felt good to know that people were reading my blog and enjoying it.   

Now, on to you, my blogging buddies.

You girls were the ones who followed and commented almost daily.  You have absolutely no idea what a wonderful "life line" you were to me living so far away from all things normal and comfortable. 

Most of you have a deep passionate love for France and enjoyed seeing it through my eyes.  You actually encouraged me to "get out there" and embrace France. 

A thousand thank you would never be enough!

One of my first readers (outside of my friends and family) was Annie.  Thank you for your encouragement and friendship.  Check out her blog at inmidreamz.blogspot.com

Miss Gina from Australia, man, do I wish you lived nearby.  You are such a wonderful friend.  You "found me" early on and always amazed me at how thoughtful you were.  If ya'll want to meet a positive, funny, uplifting gal, check out her blog at www.thebaynhamfamily.blogspot.com 

A gal who adores France and has an interesting blog is Paulita, she also just finished writing a book.  Thanks for your constant friendship while living in France.  Check out her blog at www.paulita-ponderings.blogspot.com   

A sweet gal, who adores travel and her family is Jenni.  You have the sweetest disposition and always and encouraging word.  Her blog is www.jenneu.blogspot.com 

Kelleyn is a gal who loves travel and adventure.  It was a pleasure getting to know you girl.  Check out her blog at www.travelingbugwiththreebloys-kellyn.blogspot.com 

I met Linda early on and she is one of those gals who adores France.  She just got her blog up and running because she is traveling to France for a few months and wants to share her adventure with everyone.  Follow along with her at www.adventureinparis.blogspot.com 

A new found friend and wonderful women is Elizabeth.  Your encouragement and support were endless and so appreciated.  I can't wait until you get to experience Paris one day.  It has been a pleasure getting to know you.

Miss Debra, you are a kindred spirit.  I have never met you face to face but you feel like an old soul to me.  Here is hoping that one day we will meet, until then, I look forward to staying in touch.

Linda, you were one of my first readers, I lost you throughout this journey but found you recently.  Thanks for your positive attitude and support.

Hilary, you were always there to chime in and encourage me.  Thank you so much for you support and prayers.   

Thank you friends for always thinking of my family and wishing them the best. 

Thank you!!!!

I wanted to give ya'll a quick update.  I am sorry it has been so long but I know that you know how busy we are at the moment.

We are officially settled into our new "temporary" home.  I love it, it seems HUGE to us, it is bright and open and in a cute little neighborhood.  Our "rental" furniture has arrived along with our washer/dryer.  Internet and phone service is set up as well. 

I have made a few runs to Walmart for kitchen appliances, plates, cups, silverware, blankets,etc.  I am nowhere near set in the home but it's a start. 

The kids turn seven years old today.  I still can't believe it.  It goes by so fast.  They are doing smashingly.  (Although, they fall asleep by 7pm and are up by 4am.)  They are quite the exciteable children and were up at 1:30am opening their Birthday cards in their room this morning.......it's going to be a long day.

Have a wonderful Sunday and I will keep you posted as best I can until thing settle down a bit! 

Now, I've gotta run!  We have a fun filled day with two seven year old's at Chuck E. Cheese.  Who wants to join us?  Come on, don't be shy???  I know you are itching to join in all the fun! 

So....I had all these ideas of my last blog post in Paris to be full of pictures, poetry and ballads of thanks to all of you.   I wanted to thank  you amazing friends and family who walked beside me on this journey.  I have so much to say, so many thank you's, yet, I am exhausted. 


We had our final walk through at our apartment this morning (the French are so formal).  We are now at the Hilton near the airport, 8 suitcases lined up against the wall, we have been fed and will be asleep in a few hours, preparing for our ten hour flight to DFW tomorrow morning.  We are excited to get back home to all things familiar.  


This has been an amazing ride and I thank you for following along, supporting and encouraging me and my family from the sidelines.   You have no idea how blessed I was by your comments and the new friendships that were sparked from this blog, the old friendships strengthened and the family ties that were weaved tighter.  


The days following our return will be very full with settling into another hotel for a couple of days while we ready our new (temporary) home, purchase our cars, throw a mini Birthday party for the kids, register the kids at school and send Dan off to work in Dallas again.  


Give me a few days and a more appropriate "thank you" I will give to all of you.  Until then, have a wonderful week and please know how very important ya'll were to my experience in Paris as being a positive and exciting adventure. 

Sunday was spent sorting our belongings.  We had piles of our things scattered all about the apartment.  A large pile for our air shipment and an even larger pile for our boat shipment.  Believe it or not.....it took the entire day to organize everything.

At 8:30am Monday morning, Sophie heard a loud rumbling truck outside......

Our movers had arrived.....early too!

They spent the rest of the day packing and dodging our kids who LOVED playing around the maze of boxes stacked all throughout the house. 

Max doesn't need much to keep him occupied.........

Dan made balls out of paper and tape and Max "bowled" while the workers took their 2 hour lunch break.

Oh, the joys of moving.....

The road to the chateau was serene.....

Brides were sprinkled throughout the gardens taking wedding photographs.

This bride was heading towards the beautiful chateau.... 

I found this beauty just inside the garden.... 
Class and elegance at such a young age

I think she found her groom.....

Another couple.....the men always holding our flowers or purses...makes me laugh

It takes a village....

It seems like yesterday (kind of) when Dan and I got married.  The wedding was one of the best days of my life. 

It took place in my hometown.  Our pictures were taken in my parents yard and garden, the cermony was in our neighbors beautiful backyard and the reception across the street at another neighbors home under an old oak tree.

I always cry at weddings!  I love love!

This will be our last weekend in Paris and we have heard over and over that the Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte should not be missed.  The french call it a "mini- Versailles", minus the crowds.  

We are leaving bright and early this morning, the weather is beautiful.  The kids will be able to run around the grounds and we will breathe in fresh air. 

Have a wonderful weekend.