Christmas Love (blog music: these words)

Guys, Hello!?!? What else do you think I'm going to do when I'm alone on Christmas Eve!

Yeah!! Make creepy pre-taped video messages!

Mama's Music (blog music: i hear a symphony)

Friday brought another end to the school week as well as blue skies overhead. What a better way to combine fresh air, dinner, and playtime than an evening at Peerdsbos. Moms love to multitask. The evening was fresh and crisp and the boys were ready to do some MAJOR playing.



The Peerdsbos is a network of forests spread throughout several towns. It is a wonderful place for taking walks, biking, and running. Within this section of the Peerdsbos lies the Melkerij, a preserved farm dating back to the 1800's, that serves drinks and wonderful food! The old farm buildings have been beautifully renovated and are set atop wonderfully bumpy and uneven cobblestone. Set atop the cobblestones are cafe styled tables and chairs and they all sit underneath a canopy of large green oak trees. Situated in the back, is a child's dream come true! On your right is a network of tree houses all connected by tunnels, rope bridges, and large wooden planks.










Each section of houses has a slide that the boys love to fly down. No doubt trying to escape some "awful" ending at the hands of a pirate or gruesome monster! To the left are the more traditional toys. Swings and various things to climb on as well as a small football pitch. Americans (you know who you are) football = soccer and pitch = field. In the middle of all this is a very large sand box, filled with all sorts of things to climb on, swings, slides, cars, boats and little houses. You've got to hand it to the Belgians; they have some of the greatest and most imaginative playgrounds I have ever seen!! While the boys are busy running all over creation, Filip and I are able to relax at our table with our drinks watching the little ones have a great time. Yes, Mama's little ones are starting to grow up. William is so funny! He has the greatest take on things and situations. He has a wild imagination and I'm sure that 95% of the time he is living in a dream world. He is so smart and loves using the phrase "of course" when wanting to point out differences. His Dutch is incredible and he can switch languages in mid sentence. He enjoys going to school and has a great time telling me all about his day on the way home.

William helps me out so much with Thomas and Harrison. Whether it's putting Thomas' seat belt on in the car or just playing with Harrison, William does a pretty good job of doing what I ask him to. A few times a week at school, he continues his big brother role by looking out after and playing with Thomas at recess. He seems to be quite proud of this and it's one of the first things he shares about his day. When he takes a break from being busy, he still likes to climb up on my lap and sit with me. He still lets me give him kisses goodbye in the morning and likes to tell me he loves me. Even though we have our difficult times, it is most often hilarious to see William grow up and I can't wait to see WHAT he will grow into. Then there is little Thomas and I'm quite sure that despite all his efforts, he too is growing up.

His body is still little and soft and he has a very sensitive heart. He is the most affectionate of the three and can be at times mischievous. It is safe to say that Thomas is William's puppy dog. He loves for William to play with him! Lego's, "Peter Pan", army, "Olympics", you name it! As well as play anything else wild or crazy William comes up with... Thomas is right there. Although they have their moments of all out fighting and rolling on the ground, they do love each other very much and are good friends. Thomas LOVES to color or do just about anything with a pen. Most of the time he is unreachable when he's coloring or creating something, he could sit at the table for hours! He loves to be held and to have is back rubbed at bedtime. Thomas is very attached to me and at times, my little shadow. He has great expression in his eyes and his little face says so much.


















And then there is Harrison. "Harry Bear" as I like to call him. Harrison is definitely his own little person. He is so aware of his surroundings and everything going on around him. He loves his brothers and gets so excited when we go to pick them up. He follows me around all day long and loves to narrate the day. He is always telling me what we're doing when we're doing it! He loves to be outside and gets so excited at every little thing he sees. Whether its rocks, water, swings, ducks, you name it and he goes wild with excitement. He loves to be kissed and hugged and held, but only when he decides he wants to be. He loves CARS and everything about them. Sitting in them, looking at the tires, and touching them everywhere. Harrison is still my little baby and probably will stay that way even until he's into his 30's and 40's. So my little boys aren't so little anymore and they are growing up so quickly. Everyday seems to go by so fast and they are constantly evolving and doing and learning new things. It can be hard with these three very different little personalities all under one roof, but they do love each other very much. As a mom, you learn to deal and interact with each one according to their own little character and sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day for all that extra attention each one might want. You divide your time where you can, group "together time" together, and we are all raising each other. My three little boys may all be different in many ways, but they sure love their Mama. With all the craziness that goes on here, all the loving, all their little fights, bedtimes, bath times, scraped knees, bike rides, spills, school, early mornings, homework, and so on and so on and everything in between... to a mom it's just a symphony! And boy do I love my three little musicians.

Home (blog music: run)

It is now a little over 1 year since I've been home and with each day that passes; I know that I am that much closer to home. Home... where and what is home? Home for me will always be a place I can't define. Sometimes it's a feeling or an idea but always something that isn't solid enough for me to put my feet under. Is it possible to have two homes, room in your heart for both places? Well this is a question I've spent the last year trying to answer. I've learned that your heart becomes so small that there is not enough room for the two. Not small because of sadness or hurt, but because of the overwhelming need to hold onto anything home. The need to remember everything, smells, faces, memories, colors, and voices becomes so great and so big that it fills your heart to the point of bursting. Your heart becomes a place all your own, a special place filled with a million memories. Some for me are irrigating with Papa in the summer evenings, Sunday lunches at Grandmas, the blue bicycle I used to ride all over the farm with Colt, the sunsets in Twin, 4th of July's, my mom, hearing lawn mowers on Saturday mornings, my garden, my best friend Shanna's face, grandma's vanilla ice cream cones when I was little, and the street where my home is. You draw from these memories each day. Some for happiness, some to just get you through the day, and some you try your hardest to go back in time and relive. It can be a good place and a good place to get trapped in. I guess it's inevitable that you do get trapped, maybe even purposefully.
Whatever helps to blind the reality and the senses of where you physically are. The minds a fast and cheap way to travel and I've got a trillion frequent flyer miles. Some days these memories can just simply put a fleeting smile on your face and other days they become your oxygen.
What, in the mean time, is happening to all the memories your making now? The new faces, smells, colors, and voices. Where are they, where are they being held... being remembered? I guess they some how sneak into your heart, you don't notice them making their way in, but they do. Time lets you know that they've been making their way in. Time becomes a catalyst for healing, for growing a bigger heart. So I guess one day you wake up and the tears don't come as easily anymore, your life boat of memories gradually looses air and what you were once drowning in becomes a little easier to swim in. You find that once you let one or two new memories in, that they don't and aren't going to replace any of the ones that are there now. They just find a way to fit in. Once again time reveals to you that your heart has grown a little more. Time has made it bigger, possible to fit these two homes into. What is home though? For me it's where your boys are, the place you live, your husbands face. Home is what you make of it. How you choose, through your daily life, to define it. It's a feeling, a physical certainty. Where is home? Home usually is where you aren't in these cases. The place you grew up, the streets you could walk down blindfolded, the movie trailer of your life, the content of your character. Home is always a place you long to be, your North Star, and sometimes when your over 6 thousand miles away it because an up and coming opportunity. A plane ticket. Home for me, my home, will always be Twin Falls. The one solid place my feet can stand on. Home in Belgium will always be a feeling, an idea. And just as time has helped my heart to grow, I'm pretty sure that time will help my feet too.
See you in November!

Hey! Where Did Everyone Go? (blog music: ABC)

September 1st 2008. Another summer has come and gone (it sure went, but I don't think it ever came) and the boys are back in school. The school is rather large, but set up quite nicely. Each classroom has its own personality. Cozy, imaginative, and just perfect for little ones. The teachers have done a great job! The playground is BIG! Basketball hoops, a trampoline, giant sand area, slides, and jungle gyms are scattered throughout the grounds. The boys are sure to love every bit of recess. Thomas and William will be able to play together during some recesses as well as eat lunch together. Thomas finds great comfort in knowing that William is there and William does a great job of playing with Thomas.

Getting up SO early in the morning came as quite a shock to the boys even though I had been reminding them daily that a new school year was about to begin. With baths and breakfast finished, lunches and bags packed, we all jumped in the car and headed to school. Poor Thomas didn't say a word the whole way!

The school grounds were busy with moms, dads, and children all trying to get orientd and adjust themselves to the first day of school. Naturally, I had my camera and was taking pictures of almost every move the boys made and I was quite glad to see that other moms were doing the same.

The school provided hot coffee and tea to all the parents for an early morning meet and greet.

Soon the bell rang and William found his teacher and the other children in his class as they all gathered around her. Rightfully so! William's teacher is 27, newly married, and looks like an "all American" beauty queen. Hmmmm, maybe that is why William was so anxious to go to school. Surely, he must have noticed how pretty she is because since meeting her, he has made it a point to mention it to me daily. And I quote, "Mama, my teacher is prettier than you". Aren't children funny?!? Thomas' teacher is very nice and it is easily seen how caring and nurturing she is. Thomas cried when I left which always makes me feel sad, but I know he will like his new teacher and school and make many friends. Thomas always needs time in dealing with new situations especially when mama can't be there by his side.

William pretty much goes with the flow and doesn't have too much of a problem adjusting. He seems to enjoy school and hopefully this year, he'll make many new friends! Harrison is getting use to being alone again, he did enjoy playing with William and Thomas everyday, but at the same time, he is enjoying having me to himself again. It's back to business again for the two of us. Playing at the park just after we drop the boys off, running to the butcher some days, to the grocery store others and finding new things to do to fill our days. At times, I see that Harrison is enjoying his freedom and his Mama all to himself and other times I see him thinking... Hey! Where did everyone go?!?

Friends with the Tooth Fairy (blog music: money) PAUSE PLAYER to hear video

$$$ I'M RICH, I'M RICH $$$

William has now lost 4 teeth and 2 more are loose and ready to come out! To kids, without any knowledge of how the real world works, I'm sure this appears to be a pretty easy money making venture. Thomas of course wants to get in on the business of making money, but doesn't quite understand why HIS teeth aren't "falling out" as he puts it.

Funny story! William walks up to Thomas, who is extremely busy watching The Backyardigans, and begins pointing to his mouth. William says, "Thomas look at my mouth, my tooth fell out. Look it's gone." Thomas looks quite worried as he looks at the missing tooth. In the most concerned, deeply caring three-year-old voice, Thomas says "Oh damn it."

I think that's one of dad's phrases.

One Night in Bruges (blog music: viva la vida)

Filip and I were given the treat, by Filip's parents, of spending one full day and night in the beautiful town of Bruges. Bruges is referred to as the Venice of the North because of its network of canals that flow throughout the village. It is a very breath taking village and the quintessential image of Europe. Even though we have been to Bruges several times, I never seem to come home with less than 50 pictures. It has a renewing quality and an everlasting beauty. It was also the first time Filip and I were able to visit Bruges alone as well as stay the night. Filip and I were guests at the Pand Hotel, voted Europe's Small Luxury Hotel of the Year. It was gorgeous! The room and hotel was beautifully decorated and very luxurious. The service and attention to detail were just the same! There was even a turn down service! Apparently, while Filip and I were out

to dinner, the house keeper prepared our bed for the night complete with chocolates that had been laid on the pillows. The hotel was located a few streets away from the Center and the view from our balcony was quite a treat. All the little brick homes smooshed together with one of Bruges' cathedral looming over them. We spent hours and hours just walking all over Bruges. Turning down this little street and then that one, over bridges, and in and out of the little shops. The village was quite busy that day and by some miracle of nature, it decided to actually NOT rain! Bruges is a big tourist destination. There were things happening all over the village and there were markets everywhere. I love markets! I could spend hours in them, especially antique markets. There are many things to do in Bruges. Two of my favorites are the canal tours and the horse and carriage rides. Filip and I stopped at a little cafe to have a snack during the day. I of course ordered a Belgian waffle with powdered sugar, ice cream, and a cappuccino. Filip had ice cream and strawberries. Half the fun of ordering things to eat in Belgium is the presentation of the food. It's so pretty. Little spoons for the coffee, silver bowls brimming with ice cream, beautifully garnished meals... it's really impressive. I had a lot of fun just walking around finding new things to take pictures of. There is no shortage of wonderful material in Bruges! Pigeons flying everywhere, horses trotting by, flower boxes, small streets and passageways drenched in shadows, and the swans that call Lovers' Lake their home are just a few! Brugge is known for its tapestry

and lace work. There are usually little women sitting outside shops or in little passageways working on intricate patterns.

This is truly a talent and pure artisanship! We had a lovely dinner, rather late at night, close to the waters of the canals.

Once every four years, Bruges hosts what is called The Night of the Canals. All throughout the village and on its many canals; music, costume and light shows were taking place. There were crowds everywhere and well into the night. We had a blast and can't wait to do it again!!!

Here Comes The Sun (blog music: big country)

When we left Belgium it was raining of course,
but we didn't care one bit! This family was jet
setting to Spain!
We were going to spend one whole
week in this far- flung sun soaked part
of the world. Although it was a rather short flight, it seemed to last FOREVER!

One Sweet Ride (blog music: in a big country)

There's nothin' better than throwin' the family into the back of the Land Rover and taken off into the mountains of Spain!! The guides pulled up in front of the hotel and we were off.

The boys thought they had died and gone to heaven! The top of the Rover had been cut off and replaced with a tarp and when you're flyin' down the freeways of Spain, you just wanted to stand up and yell, "This is so AWESOME"! It was on and we started climbing! The first village that we had reached just seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Just like a desert oasis. It was a maze of homes built into the mountainside. The bright white paint popped against the green dusty mountainside. We made our way into the village and began to wonder its streets. The streets were so narrow at times, the descents steep, and the inclines sharp. There were flowers hanging from every iron balcony and quite reassuring that something could grow in this heat.

As we made our way to the Center of the village the guides pointed us to this fountain. He told us that it was a constant flowing fountian with the water coming from the mountains. The water was so clear and tasted so good. As the boys were playing in the fountain and others drinking from it, locals would arrive to fill their large drums and bottles! It was amazing! This was no ordinary little Spanish town. It turns out that many stars, even Oscar winning, have a villa here. Such as Dustin Hoffman, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Julio Iglesiass to name a few! We climbed a bit further and found ourselves in another little Spanish town and being that it was around lunchtime... time to eat. The guides along with those on the tour were invited into a real Spanish restaurant where we sat down to authentic Spanish cuisine. This wasn't a "restaurant"; this was a real place to eat in a real town with real people. Perhaps one of the most noticeable qualities about Spain is its people. They are so friendly and eager to say hello and chat, even though hardly anyone speaks English. They also seem to be very fond of children, nice, and caring towards them.
With lunch over it was time to start climbing again. Keeping in true safari style, the guides urged us to hang out the top of the Rovers. Here we are climbing and climbing, driving through little streams, being sloshed back and forth, as we make our way up the tiny dirt mountainn passes, and I can't remember anything greater or more fun than that. We were hot, sticky, and covered in dust!

We made a few stops along the way to take breaks and drink a lot of water. One of the stops that we made was for a bit of education. The guides spoke to us about many of the indigenous trees and flowers that grow in the area as well as their medicinal and practical uses. It was very interesting! We also made a stop at a lake high in the mountains and the water was so refreshing. William had a great time taking a dip in it. It was a long and hot day, but the boys did really well and we all enjoyed the great and special experience of treading through the Spanish mountains.

Even Opa! Yes, the one who said he had preferred the smooth ride of his Mercedes to the dirt roads of the mountains, in the end liked it very much. Even though he would make the funniest faces and sounds every time we went over a bump or he hit his head.

Hot Spanish Nights (blog music: all night long)

The nightlife at the hotel was by far my favorite and something I looked forward to each day! It was incredible! After we had spent a lazy sun soaked day by the pool or at the beach, we would return to our rooms excitingly preparing for the hot Spanish nights. It was so much fun dressing up for dinner each night! Heels, hair, make up... the whole 9 yards.

The dinners were fabulous. Each table had been prepared with tablecloths, dinnerware, and wine glasses. There were 5 buffets filled with the most wonderful food and desserts. The boys loved running back and forth filling their plates with food. However, they didn't always eat what they had taken. I think they let the excitement of all the food and self-service get the better of them, but not when it came to dessert. They would run back and forth between our table and the dessert buffet with all kinds of ice creams and sweets. After dinner, we would make our way to the terraces complete with fountain, bar, stage, and row upon row of tables and chairs. The night was air was still rather warm, but we enjoyed and all needed every moment of it. Children were running all over the place and dancing on the stage, while it was still empty, no doubt thrilled to be staying up so late! Yet again, the bar would open for free drinks. There's nothing like Pina Coladas and Sangrias to kick off the night. The boys looked forward to their nightly pop cycles and bags of chips! With the Spanish sunlight finally beginning to fade, that night's entertainment would make its way to the stage. Every night brought something new. Magicians, Russian acrobats, African and Brazilian dancers, and my personal favorite... the Spanish Flamenco dancers. They were beautiful! The music was full of fire, their dress long, flowing, twisting, and turning with each move of their body. They would arch their backs and begin clapping, as one of the women would move to center stage. Her heels stomping furiously atop the stage brought even more life to the exotic music floating in the night's air. It was absolutely incredible. The night before our big safari, we decided to take an evening walk on the beach. The boys had fun rolling in the sand, as usual, and throwing rocks into the Sea. The towns that lined the beach were all lit up and the Sea was calm and peaceful. With the beaches almost empty and the sunlight gone a new crowd of sorts would make their way to the shores. Every few feet giant fishing poles rose from the sand with their heavy lines floating somewhere in the dark waters. Behind them usually stood quite an older man, Spanish no doubt, looking so tranquil and at ease with every new cast of their line. Every move was made from habit as though they had been fishing the same beaches since they were boys.

Sun Soaked (blog music: here comes the sun)

The boy's favorite place to be was the hotel's swimming pools by far! The pool area was quite lavish and very large. There were sun chairs and umbrellas as far as the eye could see, 2 pools, and a hot tub all set a top Spanish tiles. The boys loved swimming, splashing, and jumping into the baby pool. They turned into 3 little fish. They were many children that would come and go and each time the boys found someone different to play with and share their water toys with. The hotel really catered to its guests! During certain hours of the day, the bar would open and invite its guests to free drinks and snacks. We all took turns be drink runners and the boys especially liked the sweet cakes and breads!

The hotel was situated just right off the beach, which was lucky for us since the boys liked dividing their time between the pool and beach at a moments notice. The boys would get quite wild in the pool at times! Thomas and William loved kicking around the giant beach ball, running and jumping into the pool, and coming up with new and inventive ways to play with their beach toys. Harrison loved jumping from the side of the pool into the arms of whomever was there to catch him. The 3 looked just like old pros showing up to the pool with their sack of toys, beach ball, surfboards, boat, and floaters! Either that or just like 3 little boys who were desperate for sunshine and summer fun! Someone should really do something about the weather here!