Brussels, Belgium The Adventure Begins

Update from Brussels--

Finally sitting in my hotel room, a full 28 hours since we left Michigan! 

LONG DAY! But good! We landed on time and were in the rental car and on our way to International school of Brussels by 8:30 am.

The main is office is in a chateau, and the old parquet floors and painted ceilings were gorgeous. The guy that we met with was very nice and informative. We  toured the school, met with the assistant head of the middle school(which is 7,8,9)saw the sports fields, met the band director, math teacher, etc It is a very nice school, grounds very tidy. The school seems to be quite academic and you can even take classes like science and history in French if you want.

We then headed south of Brussels to Waterloo. We got there quite early, so we grabbed a coffee and walked around the area near the school to get a feel for the neighborhood. We went in around 1pm and met the admissions head, Caroline, whom jer had met with a few weeks ago. She was thrilled to see jerry again and happy to meet me. We sat in a nice conference room and she went over some details about the school and let us ask questions. The middle school principal came in, Dave, and sat with us for about a half hour. I was able to ask about math classes,etc. Danny would take a placement test at both schools for French, math and English. Then the music teacher came in and joined us, it is crazy how much time they all give you and how friendly everyone is! We then headed out to the music area with that teacher and saw the facilities. They have a band and also do solo and ensemble.  She has about 6 different music events during the year, with choirs and bands. In two weeks they are putting on Joseph and the amazing...

We then toured the rest of the school, Caroline kept poking her head into classrooms and introducing us to the teachers, physics, science, math,etc. everyone was so friendly!

The fall sports teams were getting ready to go to their fall finals and so they were having a pep rally at 3 pm. She took us to the gym and we saw the teams run in, all the kids cheering, met more staff...and so forth. Then back to the conference room, after a swing through the two libraries, the cafeteria, the high school wing...I could hardly keep it all in my head. She reviewed the application procedure, I asked if Danny could do exams early and still go to Philmont with boyscouts( looks like a yes!) we then got brochures and a mini stuffed mascot and were on our way.When we got outside Jerry asked what I thought and I said I couldn't get over the warm and friendly feeling there. That is what he felt too, from the first time he visited, but he wanted to gauge my feeling before sharing that. We then talked pros and cons and decided to go for St. John's! 

We canceled our plans to visit the Antwerp school tomorrow, and emailed the relocation but to concentrate on the Waterloo area. Steve had already sent us lists of houses, so we plugged a few into the GPS to see where they were compared to the school. We looked at a couple, then tracked down one that was 1750€ which is the least expensive of the group. We pulled up in front and it looked fine, small and tidy. I could see it was empty and as we prepared to get out to go creep around, over the hill toward us came a running team! We had of course been talking about whether it would be safe for the girls to run...and here came these kids. We had come a back way and weren't quite sure where the school was, but as the team got closer, we could see it was Saint John's kids! Was this a sign?!  We shall see!

We received an email from Steve just a bit ago, there is a strike planned for Brussels on Thursday, our house touring day...yikes! We said we were ready to go for tomorrow if he can make it happen, I will keep you posted.

Jerry and I came to the hotel around five and than set out walking. We explored the town, found a Turkish place and ate, I had lentil soup, hummus and pita, Jerry had a falafel sandwich and frittes! Then we walked some more. We visited a beautiful church that had a When we got outside Jerry asked what I thought and I said I couldn't get over the warm and friendly feeling there. That is what he felt too, from the first time he visited, but he wanted to gauge my feeling before sharing that. We then talked pros and cons and decided to go for St. John's!  We canceled our plans to visit the Antwerp school tomorrow, and emailed the relocation but to concentrate on the Waterloo area. Steve had already sent us lists of houses, so we plugged a few into the GPS to see where they were compared to the school. We looked at a couple, then tracked down one that was 1750€ which is the least expensive of the group. We pulled up in front and it looked fine, small and tidy. I could see it was empty and as we prepared to get out to go creep around, over the hill toward us came a running team! We had of course been talking about whether it would be safe for the girls to run...and here came these kids. We had come a back way and weren't quite sure where the school was, but as the team got closer, we could see it was Saint Johns kids! Was this a sign?! I told Jerry that I would rather be at the bottom of our budget and have room to spend money on traveling around while we are there. It will be interesting to see the inside, but it may be the place!

We received an email from Steve just a bit ago, there is a strike planned for Brussels on Thursday, our house touring day...yikes. We said we were ready to go for tomorrow if he can make it happen, so we shall see. 

Jerry and I came to the hotel around five and than set out walking. We explored the town, found a Turkish place and ate, I had lentil soup, hummus and pita, Jerry had a falafel sandwich and frittes! Then we walked some more. We visited a beautiful church that had a mass going on in French in a side chapel. Then we came back here to crash. I had a nice decaf cappuccino and a chocolate croissant, YUM!

Cassie and Leah

Two peas in a pod! That is how I describe Leah and Cassie! They love to cook, craft and play pretend. They love to make kitty caves, and crawl around the house barking like puppies. They love to watch Frozen, go in the big bathtub, and have sleepovers. They  LOVE to go to Friday Night Basketball and to Leo's for ice cream. Cassie calls Leah her Brighton sister, how awesome is that?! Watching their friendship blossom and helping it grow is really a treat for me. Look at these beautiful faces!

Friday Night Basketball Reunion!

Top row--Pedro(Kate's boyfriend), Jake, Stan, Ben, Jerry, Molly, Danny

Kneeling--Paul(Megan's boyfriend), Kate, Megan, Luke(Ben's son), Charlotte

Twenty years! That is how long Jerry,Stan,Megan,Katie,Jake and Molly have been going to Friday night basketball. When we first moved to Michigan Jerry was having major basketball withdrawal. I asked Molly's physical therapist, Robyn, if she knew of any leagues he could play in. She said her then husband Stan played in a league, but the guys were really particular about who they let in. Robyn promised to ask Stan, and a couple of weeks later Jerry got the call for his "tryout". He was as nervous as a 15 year old on his first date! I waited at home anxiously, hoping that he would have fun and find a place for himself, and he sure did! Stan, and Ben's Dad Jim, and the other guys were all very mellow and relaxed. They just loved to play and weren't interested in acting like jerks, like a lot of the guys Jerry ran in to in NJ. The best part about it was that the guys brought their kids, and while the men played on one half of huge court, the kids played on the other....and the Mom's were Home Alone!

With no family or friends in Michigan to babysit for me, I was with my darlings 24/7, so this time was such a wonderful treat. Sometimes Robyn and I hung out, other times I cleaned the house, or Christmas shopped--all by myself! When we moved to Fairway Trails, the minivan filled up every Friday night, Matthew burgess, Matt Bedner, Melissa Mavron, the occasional Cluskey boy...you never knew who would turn up in there! When Charlotte turned two she started her rookie season and she was so excited to go off with the other kids. When the men had finished they would always play a game or two with the kids, and when Megan,Ben,Katie and Jake hit highschool these games got pretty intense. Danny and Sophie joined the crew when they turned two, and now Leah and Cassie are going as well.

The guys used to shower, then take everyone to BigBoy, nowadays they just stay grubby and go to Leo's, but the result is the same, a chance to visit with each other's kids, catch up, be a part of things.

The continuity is pretty fantastic, and our kids bringing their kids along, now that I s a blessing!

Mom visits!

On week two of my visit from Mom. This is the first time she has been here since her fall in June. This fall precipitated many changes for mom and for the family. She was in June hospital for a week and in Kessler rehab for two + weeks. We encouraged her to bump up her plans to move from Toms River, which is an hour and change from her two NJ kids and plenty far away from me. Susan had begun the process of looking at assisted living places, and when I was in NJ to assist with her care I had a chance to view the places too. Mom settled on Emeritus of West Orange, five minutes from Donnie and Catherine and fifteen minutes from Susan. After discharge from rehab she moved right in and we arranged to move her things, clean and empty the house in TR and sell it. A long,challenging summer for everyone. We can appreciate the difficulty of leaving a home you have lived in for more than 20 years, but it is not the same as having to do it. Mom has really struggled with this process and it has been hard to move her along, patiently, and still try to be understanding. Some days go better than others! She has been in Emeritus for a couple of months, and is not super happy. Of course we don't know if she will become accustomed to the place, or get more miserable. She complains that most of the people aren't "with it" and that the administration is not open to her concerns. I think it is just really difficult for her to realize that this is where she is at at this point in her life. I know many people my age are struggling with this, helping aging parents while still respecting their independence and wish to make their own decisions. It is definitely a work in progress! 

But the visit has been wonderful! We created "The Nana Suite" in the library, complete with a sign and pictures from Molly, a single bed, portable closet, vanity table and reading lights! She is next to the half bath and we go upstairs every few days for the shower. 

She seems to like it, and definitely likes how easy it is to roll the walker across the hardwood floors. The kids have enjoyed having her here, watching movies, talking to her and taking her out to eat. She has cheered Danny on in a crosscountry meet, seen a movie and gone shopping. Also had lots of reading time on the sunporch, with her faithful companion, Harry the dog! He loves to lay right in front of her walker, maybe to keep her from moving around too much?! We also had Cassie this weekend and of course Mom had so much fun with her. She was so excited to have Nana at her Brighton house, and the first night, when she went to kiss nana goodnight she said, " mmm, you smell like flowers Nana" now how's that for insuring your place in the will?!! They sat right next to each other at the table and mom payed attention to every little thing she said or did. And Cassie introduced her to Frozen! Perfect!

Perhaps in the future she will consider coming to live with us, though I know she doesn't want to leave NJ. That is where she has always lived and where her friends are. So we shall see. I will continue to be in prayer for her, and hope that more visits will come. I hope this was a bit of a rest for Susan, who is really the primary caregiver now, arranging the appointments, finding new doctors, shopping, hanging pictures,etc. and that is a big commitment.

Law Enforcement Torch Run

Last week law enforcement men and women from all over the state took part in the Torch Run for Special Olympics. The torch started out in the UP and crossed the Mackinac Bridge. Molly had been invited to run the bridge but it was too rainy and windy. Once in the lower peninsula, the torch split off into 7 different runs through many of the communities throughout the state. Michigan's LETR has raised over 1Million dollars for SO, that is more than some Countries have raised! Since Molly had been blown off the bridge we wanted to try to support the torch and the runners as they came through our area. Then we got a call that the MI State Police recruits from the Lansing barracks would be running with the torch at midnight, and might we like to join them?! Heck yeah we'd like to join! So the kids went to sleep for about 90 minutes and I got to go around and wake them, in the darkness and say "let's go for a run!!" That was fun! When we arrived in Lansing the Capitol building was lit, sparkling through the light rain. We gathered at the foot of the Capitol steps while the hundred or so recruits marched in in formation then stood stock still awaiting the torches arrival. Officer Steve introduced Molly and Charlotte to the crowd and told them how pleased he was to have athletes running. I was very proud. Finally the torch arrived and after a moment of silence the torch was passed from hand to hand, each recruit having a chance to hold it. At last it was molly and charlottes turn, they head out at good speed, with the entire unit of police thundering off the Capitol steps and racing after them! We headed straight away eastward from the Capitol and continue through the MSU campus. Motorcycle officers blocking each side street as we ran. After 5 miles of brisk running we arrived at a peaking lot where the LETR RV was waiting. The recruits dropped and did 27 push-ups! It was such a great thing to be a part of!

Weekend with Cassie!

A beautiful fall weekend was made even more so by a visit from Cassie. She is such a joy to have in the house! Thursday nights are always tough as she readjusts to a normal bedtime, and this week was no exception. She was up 4 times and then got up around 6:45am--yikes! Good thing she is so cute! 

We played and  had a visit from Shawne Friday morning ("where's Leah?") then went for a haircut in the afternoon.

Cass was excited to sing the school bus song when the girls finally arrived home, and thrilled to have her playmates back. Leah ended up coming over to have pizza with us and run through Cassie's sprinkler. Cassie had been scared of it, but since she will follow Leah anywhere, through the sprinkler she went!

Jake handled bath and bedtime, I try to disappear when he is home so Cassie can focus on daddy. On Saturday morning played at the house, then Jerry drove Danny and Cassie out to meet jake at work. From there the three of them headed to kensington for an afternoon of fun at the farm center and nature center. They even took a hayride! I would show you pictures, but jake hasn't sent me any, he says they are on the way...sure! Cassie and I made a leaf picture, she is obsessed with glue in any form so she had a blast!

Saturday night I got to do bedtime and we had an extra long story time filled with all her favourites--The Stray Dog, Dr.Doctor, peek-a-boo baby and Sleep,Big Bear,Sleep! Jerry and all the kids went downtown to the jazz fest for some socializing and BBQ and then came back to watch the michigan game(let's not talk about it!). 

On Sunday morning Charlotte and I went to 8am boxing and then came back home and tagged molly and Jerry to go to the 10am class. Molly stayed on to do 3 classes, while Danny,Charlotte, Jerry ,Cassie and I rode our bikes downtown to the millpond playground. Fun! It was cool and sunny and wonderful to ride together. Cassie rode on her birthday scooter with her awesome new helmet. We played in the sandbox at our house until it was time to head for church. Jerry stayed home and got cass ready to go back to her other grandmothers house. Blessed to have time with her, and the joy of watching the kids with her, they are all wonderful at the job of aunts and uncle!

Back to school

Gorgeous weather and happy smiles for the first day of school 2014. Danny headed out first, wearing his WEB leader shirt. His job this week is to smooth the way for the little 7th graders, help them find their way to classes and answer questions. He said he was able to help a couple of kids, and he will be wearing his shirt all week so the confused can find him! Go Danny!

The girls bus arrived at 8:10. Harry and I had been hanging out with the girls when who should come skipping down the driveway but Jerry! He was teasing the girls that he was going to get on the bus with them. Ooo, was Charlotte mad, she did not want to be teased. 

I kept him off the bus and he ended up coming to church with me. We prayed for all the school kids and teachers. I hope my kids have a good year.