Day 28

Well today marks 4 weeks since Abrahm deployed. Only 22 left! 22 actually sounds doable at this point. Today was another busy day. We started out with Adam's French lessons at 9:00 am. We walked him down to Madame Ben Haim's house and then walked back up to school. We met one of the new families to help them get their tabliers (smocks), and I picked up Adam's books.

Then we headed back to pick up Adam and stopped by the boulangerie on the way home to pick up some bread for lunch. Did I mention how much I love being able to buy fresh bread everyday??? After a quick lunch we met up with one of the new families. All 7 of us piled into the van and headed to Auchan to buy their school supplies and to let my kiddos spend their allowance money they had been saving. It's always an interesting process watching the children try to pick out something to buy. Alden went with Legos as usual. Adam got some Pokemon figures he's been wanting and Adalee got a Strawberry Shortcake. It didn't take too terribly long for them to pick.

After coming home, the Hodgson's came upstairs and we visited while the kiddos played. After they left the kiddos got out their new toys and spent the rest of the afternoon playing with them. After that we ate dinner and got everyone ready for bed. I am going to do a couple more things and then I am turning in as well!

Adalee bought Strawberry Shortcake with her money

Adam bought little Pokemon Characters with his money

Alden bought two little Lego sets

All 3 showing off their new prizes they bought with their money from their piggy bank

Peodogi begging

Another Photo of my Sweetheart

Abrahm's office in Afghanistan

(he is on the far left side)

Day 27

Today was a great day! It started off with a trip to the Boulangerie (bakery) for breakfast. Around here during the month of August, everyone goes on vacation. All the businesses close and things are pretty quiet. When I got back from the US our boulangerie was still closed. Well today was the big day. When we went to take Peodogi outside, Adam immediately said, "Mommy I can smell the boulangerie! Can we get some treats for breakfast?" After bending my arm, I finally gave in :-) So we headed the two doors down and picked up croissants and pain au chocolat. We all were very happy this morning!

After the trip to the boulangerie, the kids played and I cleaned some more. I finished the organizing I started yesterday. We then went to take Adam to his French lessons at Madame Ben Haim's house. As we were coming in, our friends were coming out, so Linda and I hung around outside and chatted while Adalee, Alden, Katelyn and Brandon played. It was actually quite chilly outside this morning. It has been raining for the past few days, so it was nice to actually have the sunshine and cool breeze today.

We finished lessons and came home and ate lunch. Once again, we had our fresh bread from the boulangerie. All the kids had 2 sandwiches a piece. There is nothing like fresh baked bread! The rest of the afternoon we basically cleaned and played. I put the kids to bed a while ago and finished the laundry, vacuumed the floors, and cleaned the kitchen from dinner. Now I think I may have a glass of wine and put my feet up for a bit. Sweet dreams everyone!

A little taste of heaven

Ready to dig in!

Adam devoured his croissant and his pain au chocolat

Alden very excited to see his Pain Au Chocolat

Day 26

Well I think I am almost all caught up from vacation. All the laundry is done, the suitcases are unpacked and everything is put away. I spent all day today going through all of the kiddos clothing. I went through each closet, drawer and basket. I took out too small/wrong season things and replaced them with all the treasures my mother and I purchased while I was in the states. All of my boxes arrived a couple of days ago so I think we are now set for a while. Yea!

We've had a fun filled weekend. Friday night I went out to dinner with some girlfriends. It was nice to have a babysitter and get out for a bit. Lots of laughter and good food! Then on Saturday we had a welcome for some new folks that just arrived here in Lille. The kids really enjoyed seeing all the friends they haven't seen all summer. Then today we had one of those new families over for dinner. They have a little girl that is about 5 months older than Adalee. They really enjoyed playing together today.

This week we have French lessons, a couple of errands and SCHOOL starts! YEA!! The kids are excited. Adam is a little nervous, but he is ready to hang out with his friends again. He has really missed them.

I did receive a call from Abrahm yesterday. It was the first really long conversation we've had. He called once before, but the call was cut short. It was nice to hear his voice and catch up. He is so very busy, so please say an extra prayer for him if you get the chance. Now that I am all caught up, I hope to post every day or so now. I hope everyone else had a great weekend!

The kids playing Thomas Bingo for Game Night last night

The flowers on the terrace are still blooming and looking fairly good, especially considering no one has touched them for the last month!

All of the tomatoes I got off my plant when we got back home!

Photo of my Sweetie

Today I received this photo of Abrahm from the OIC of our soldiers here in Lille. Just thought I'd share! Have a great day!

Abrahm in Afghanistan

Our Summer Adventure in Pictures

After all day, I finally got the pictures uploaded. We had a wonderful vacation and did so many fun things and saw so many great folks. A special thank you to all those who made our trip amazing. Abrahm, we sure wish you would have been on our adventure with us. We missed you!

(Don't forget to click on "Older Posts" at the bottom to see the next pages. I posted tons of pictures)

On the train heading to the airport in Paris to start our Summer Adventure!

Watching a movie on the plane

She is so sweet when she sleeps

When we landed in Philly, we headed over to our hotel. Since we were so close Aunt Sharon, Uncle Charlie, Janel, Mike and their two kiddos came to visit us. Aunt Sharon brought all kinds of yummy food and noisy toys. The kids had a great time playing even thought they had been awake for almost 24 hours.

All of the kiddos eating dinner

Janel showing the kids how the balloons work

Laughing as the balloons scream around the hotel room

Adalee blowing up her balloon

The kiddos eating whoopie pies Aunt Sharon made

Adam reading "The Big, Bad, Bullybug" in French

Adalee being silly with Aunt Sharon

While in PA, Janel, Mike, Aislyn and Charlie came down for a visit. The kids enjoyed playing with each other so much. They played games, ran around outside and rode 4 wheelers. Oh, I almost forgot, they ate lots of Bruster's Ice Cream too!

The kids had fun playing games

Adam has a Cootie on his head!