techno? really?

It's 12am (0:00 France time), and what do I hear outside my window, you ask? Techno music. Have I mentioned that I live in a small town in the French Alps? I don't know what possessed the villagers to have a rave outside my window on a Wednesday day, but there it is.

Last night the whole family went into town and had a picnic at Bertrand Parc. All the girls had on cute summer dresses. Mia & Sam played in the wading pool. And Sam got to spend some quality guy time playing "football."

I always think there is something amazing about getting a group of people together and having so many different nationalities. In Georgia, everyone is pretty much from Georgia. My mom is from Wisconsin...and to us that's a foreign country. You get the occasional Floridian. There are the rednecks from Alabama. We welcome some people from South Carolina, Tennessee, and even Mississippi...but if you are not American, and more importantly Southern, it's like you are a new species. In Geneva, the ex-pats are the locals. My closest friend here is British, but she was raised in Ethiopia. I have friends from Germany, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Belgium, Ghana, Australia, France, Switzerland, Canada, and a lot of other places (not to mention America). The children I take care of have 3 passports each: Canada, America, & Switzerland (well, actually the twins don't have Canada, much to Michelle's chagrin).

But really, it's amazing how flat the world has become. I almost feel boring saying that I was born and raised in not just one country, but one state! (Love you Georgia). America is so different- we have variety when it comes to potato chips and Europe has variety when it comes to birth places. Although, let me tell you, I really miss that Kroger chip aisle.

So, those are just some thoughts...mainly because I am having trouble falling asleep these days, so I figure you should suffer through it with me.

Have a great day!

sunburnt and happy

Hello all!

It's nearly the end of June & officially SUMMER in Switzerland/France. (It is quite annoying living on the border because I don't really know what to say in regards to where I live..it always requires a bit of explanation). If you still don't understand: I reside in a small mountain town in Peillonnex, France. I have a Swiss work permit because the family I work for has their official residence in Switzerland, at an apartment in Geneva (where I spend most of my weekends). So, I really have the best of both worlds.

I am currently sunburned, which I think is one of my favorite skin stages because it means I have been out in the sun a lot, which I LOVE. Get that from mom I think. I went hiking this past Saturday, so I am awkwardly burnt on the part of my leg that my leggings didn't cover, and one side of my face and neck. My nose is also bright red. But, yesterday I laid out by the Fiore's pool, and so my back is also sufficiently red. I swear I put on sunscreen- so don't think I am irresponsible. I just think my skin doesn't know how to be in the sun and not get burnt



I lost my camera on the hike, which is really annoying and frustrating and makes me feel all irresponsible. I was about 20 minutes down the mountain when I realized it, so I ran back up with a friend scoring the area, but alas, it was all for naught. I don't think it has really sunk in yet. I loved that camera. It's an old friend that I'll miss. Guess I know what I am going to ask for for Chistmas. :)

The children are as wonderful as ever. Margot has pretty much perfected sitting up, and Lydia has learned how to make a smacking sound with her lips and she does it all the time. It's adorable. In most recent & exciting news, Sam has started using the toilet! It's funny, he wants to call his friends and family to tell them when he goes "poopy on the potty." Oh kids. Mia will be finished with school this Friday, so hopefully family adventures will ensue next Monday! It'll be fun having her home, as it is we don't really get a lot of time with her.

Carolyn Stewart and Stephanie Lindgren should be stopping by my neck of the woods in the next two weeks & I can't wait to see them! I love showing people where I live and introducing them to the family I work for. I hope they will be able to make it! Plus, it is wonderful to see people from home. I miss home sometimes. Tonight one of my guy friends from Tennessee is having a party with Southern food b/c her family is in town (his mom's cooking). I can't wait for some good fried chicken! I know this is horrible, but one of the things I miss the most is American food. I am such a fatty in my heart.
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In two weeks I am going to the Czech Republic!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! It'll be fun to have a week away in a completely foreign country that I know so much, and yet so little, about. Also, I will hopefully be seeing some of my friends from Pine Forest Camp in Hradec Kralove while I am there.

I have most of August off, so I am still trying to sort out what I am going to do for my holiday plans. I might go visit Sarah in England, or Unterwegs in Tubingen, Germany, or relax at the Fiore's lake house in Italy. Who know?

Alright, I am on break right now & I really don't want to spend all of it outside. I love you! Miss you!

CONGRATULATIONS BONNE!!! YOU'RE MARRIED!!!

live because you love

The title is a line from a song by Copeland...which I was listening to when I wrote this post.

There are a few books that I read to Sam & Mia that I actually enjoy. I like this one so much, that I want to share an excerpt with y'all

ONE is good for a quiet walk.
TWO is right for a quiet talk.
THREE is nice for having tea,
or for counting ONE, TWO, THREE.
And when you want to go explore, the number you should have is FOUR.

Last night we watched Sleeping Beauty. It was their first time watching it, and it is one of my favorites so I was really excited as well. Unfortunately, with a 3 and 4 year old, you have to fast forward through the parts with Malificent, but it is still worth it. (Especially when you know the end means bedtime). Most of you probably don't remember, but Aurora was 16 when she got married. 16. The times surely have changed.
It has been kind of rainy and peaceful the past few days. Sunday night (it's Tuesday now), I was really sick, so the rainy Monday was a gift from God. I just spend the morning with the babies and me and Margot had a little nap together cuddled up on the couch. I love moments like that- moments you know will turn into a warm memory; and, years from now, I will remember sitting on that sofa with a sleeping baby warm in my arms, falling in and out of consciousness. That's the good stuff. (If you are into country music, I assume that song is not playing in you head, as it is in mine.)

I feel like a lot is coming up. Mia has two weeks left of school. Carolyn Stewart and Stephanie Lindgren should be passing through Geneva at the end of the month. I am going to the Czech Republic for a week in January. Michelle's parents are coming in August, at which time I am planning a LOOOOONG hike from Chamonix (the Mont Blanc) to Zermatt (The Matterhorn). It should take about 12-14 days. Yikes. My sister might be coming to visit in September!! And meanwhile, life just goes on and on. Everyone I love back in the states is getting married and working at their adult jobs and finishing school and starting new lives and having a whole year without me; and here I am meeting new people, hanging out with kids, learning French, traveling Europe, and basically enjoying this odd year of my life immensely.

Mmkay, it's about the end of my break time, so I'll have to say goodbye. Have a wonderful day!

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:16

some favorite pics

Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Thoreau



I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed. - Van Gogh

"MAY YOU LIVE ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE" -Jonathan Swift

and the beat goes on

There is a lot going on in my mind right now...so how about bullet points today:

* POST-SWITZERLAND PLANS
I thought I had it all figured out. I guess that is how it always it, isn't it? You have an idea in your mind, and then you think about it so much that, at some point, that idea becomes THE PLAN. And you feel comfortable with it, and ready for it. Well, for me, THE PLAN was: get into Georgia State to start the January semester, hopefully get my 9-5 job back at Stericyle (I know, the name is rough)- and basically kill myself working full time, going to school, living with my parents, and being near my friends in Atlanta. I won't find out if I got into GSU until November, but it is kind of nice having to depend on the Lord, rather than actual facts, for your peace and security. When I got into UGA, I was really proud of myself and excited, and I thought that I was a shoe in for GSU (which I still hopefully am). I thought I would have to turn down UGA because I had already decided to stay in Switzerland until December...but then my UGA advisers got to talking, and they suggested me for a late start in Spring Semester 2012. So, basically, if you haven't followed all of that, nothing is actually wrong, I just found out that I will absolutely be going to school in January. Where? I don't know, but either in Athens or Atlanta. Now, why? you ask, does this new information about being able to go to UGA throw me for a loop? Honestly, I don't know. I guess I had it in my head that I was trusting in God by turning down going to UGA for the fall semester, and I would be going to GSU, working, etc like I said before. I felt like He was closing the door to UGA and then I would either have GSU or just find a job...and I was comfortable and okay with that. But, if I go to UGA, I will be moving back to Athens. I will have to take out student loans or find a weekend job that I can live on...it's all a bit scary. I hate the idea of being in debt. It feel humbled by the idea of living off of my parents good graces for a few more years. I guess getting into UGA in this way has just unsettled me. Nothing is wrong, actually, I should be really proud that my advisers think I can do a 2 year degree in a year and a half...I was just surprised I suppose.
To sum up: I will be going back to school in the Spring to become a Master of Teaching! Crazy, eh?

* THE SUMMER OF WEDDINGS
First, I want to apologize to Britney Ray, Liz Dennis(soon to me Mott), Allison Schlichting (soon to be Duncan), Bonne Beasley (soon to be Cecil), and Mary Griffith (soon to be Davis) for missing your weddings. I want to say first and foremost that I am SOO excited for you and I love you all AND I have been doing some shopping over here to find you the BEST European wedding present EVER. (If you have any requests, let me know!) When I decided to move here, I thought about all that I would be missing out on back home. It is weird how life goes on when you leave a place. 5 of my friends will have different names & different homes & different roommates (ha!) when I return. I am missing one of the biggest days of their lives, and it is heartbreaking & shaming & sad. But, all that being said, I knew I couldn't stay in Georgia and not embark on this exciting adventure for the sake of someone else's life...or lives. I thought about biting the bullet and buying a flight home so I could at least attend one or two of the weddings, but then I had to go about choosing which friend I was going do that for...and you can imagine how that went.
And finally, I felt like God knew what he was doing when he sent me over here. As excited as I am for all of my friends, and as much as I love my life and my singleness; being reminded of it every other weekend at a bachelorette party, or wedding shower, or wedding would probably do more harm than good. Underneath all the smiles and excitements and tears of joy at a wedding, there is insecurity, at least there is for me. Sometimes it hits like a wave of nausea and you feel like you are going to break under the feeling of hopelessness. Then, you get upset for writhing in self-pity at your friends wedding...and who wants those sort of bad vibes at their wedding, right? And it is emotionally unsettling to be torn between such powerful emotions: joy and loneliness. There is something so beautiful about watching two people who love one another bind themselves together- but as they grow stronger, something in my heart stirs. I feel like I am missing something, like I am not complete....I guess the grass is always greener, eh?


CROSSROADS RETREAT:
Two weekends ago, I went to the beautiful Annecy, France for the Crossroad Together Weekend. First of all, I just want to thank the institution of church for being an amazing place to make friends. Honestly, I don't understand how non-church-goers find friends. The only thing I have to say against this wonderful method of finding friends, is that, sometimes you can't tell who actually likes you because everyone is so christiany. As most of you know, I really only hang out with people I like, so this "being super nice to everyone" is something new and different for me. Although, I have found, that sometimes in being nice to someone, you are able to see their good qualities and you start to enjoy them. It is kind of a backwards way to make friends, but sometimes God has better plans that I do...sometimes :).
But back to the retreat- beautiful place, beautiful weather, wonderful speaker- what more could you ask for? We spend the weekend hearing about the power of God from Conrad Embewe, who was fantastic. I would go on, but I get the feeling I have lost most of you by now, so I am trying to quicken the pace here at the end.


* INTERLAKEN:
I went to yet another BEAUTIFUL Swiss city with the Au Pair group, LInk. I went Canyoning the first day, which is basically the closest I will ever get to acting like a superhero (climbing down canyons and jumping into waterfalls, etc); and hiking the second day. I don't really know what to say in regards to the beauty of the Alps...because beauty is hard to describe, and you can't really grasp it until you are there. Interlaken is a really fun city because it is all about outdoor sports and adventures: canyoning, paragliding, hiking, rafting, etc. But, there were a few too many Americans there, if you ask me. (I didn't move all the way to Switzerland to be surrounded by Americans, you know?). I spent a lot of time with some of the German au pairs and thus got to practice my German....so basically the weekend left me physically and mentally WORN OUT. But, no worries, I am having a very easy week back with the kids, thanks to the wonderful Swiss religious holidays.

*ASCENSION DAY:
I slept until 11:30, read the Bible, made French toast for me and Emily, then we watched a movie, took a walk, ate some great muffins, watched another movie, Em made dinner, another movie, bed. Great day off? OH YEAH.

Alright, you are getting sick of me, and I am getting sick of typing...so, that's all for now! Have a wonderful day!