The Lemonade Trip

"I Want an Oompa-Loompa NOW!"

2011-11-19T22:46:00.001+01:00

It's 6 a.m. Saturday morning and I can't sleep. I rolled out of bed and
decided this morning would be a great day to start blogging again, but first things first....I need to go brush my teeth before I begin. Ahh! Now that's better.

Hayden apparently is having the same issues with sleep as I am and is now sitting next to me playing computer games. Oh, to be a kid on a Saturday morning...in one of my friends' houses.

Rarely did we wake up to the sweet smell of sugar coated cereal, followed by hours of television. Instead, the Banfield routine was one of a bowl of cornflakes and only if we had already finished our mandatory bowl of oatmeal or cream of wheat. And television? Definitely not on a Saturday morning. Oh no. We had what seemed like hours of weeding/yard work followed by our "normal" chores for the week. Once we were finished with our family "obligations" we were allowed to build forts, go swimming, play basketball, ride our bike...just about anything that kept us active and out of the house.

Growing up I so wanted to be in one of those other families. The lucky ones. The ones who live the life of ease and the children seemingly got pretty much anything they want. Like the character Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory screaming, "But Daddy, I want an Oompa-Loompa NOW!" I didn't want to be a part of a family that the kids had to do so much. I was robbed of my childhood. Or was I?

At another point in my life, and almost at the opposite side of the spectrum, I remember thinking, "I am never going to ask someone to do something for me that I can do myself." That thought has turned into a bit of warped thinking. For example, I would be changing a babies butt and run out of wipes. Instead of saying, "Hey so and so, will you bring me some wipes please?" If so and so was doing something else, just about anything else, I would pick up the baby go get the wipes, come back and finish my task. I know that is a minute scale, but everything trickles down. (no pun intended) into other parts of life.

Moving on, I think this type of thinking has done a bit of a disservice to my children. I have good kids. I know it. For the most part they are really growing into great individuals. There is however part of their lives that I am not doing so hot on and it is their "entitlement" attitude. Oh boy. A couple of them want their way NOW and if they don't get it their little bodies quickly get possessed by a demon with crazy red eyes and I am afraid their heads are going to do one of those 360 turns like on the Exorcist. (I would like at this time to sarcastically thank Meagen Bergeson for introducing that show to me in high school. One of the only scary movies I've ever seen...ugh.)

Uno Example: Brent has worked for the same company and with most of the same people for a little more than 7 years. Last night we had a family work party. One of these friends opened his home to the whole office for a pot-luck dinner and some horseback riding. My children were so excited to go ride horses. Yee-haw! There was a little pony for the kids to ride and some larger horses for the adults to ride or to help lead while the children rode. One of my children, who does not have much knowledge or experience with horses, was determined to ride the large horse solo. When told that was not going to be a possibility, you could see the daggers in their eyes getting sharped and ready to fly. The fit started. Goodbye feelings of excitement at just having the opportunity to ride a horse. Hello crazy demon possession.

I could go on with examples, but I'm going to slightly switch gears. Even though I was raised differently that my children, I will embarrassingly admit that this "entitlement" demon who throws daggers lives in me too. My Veruca Salt, crazy hair and all, comes out. Sometimes I'm selfish and want what I want. Damn the cost. I can throw amazing silent treatments or fill the position of the "crazy swearing sailor" well enough to win myself an Oscar.

Oh, how do we find the happy medium? Not giving and getting everything we want. Not taking on the responsibility to do everything for everyone, but expecting them to pull their weight. I don't have any great answers yet, but I did just buy a book called 'The Entitlement Trap' by Richard and Lynda Eyre. I am hoping that they have some ideas to help me help myself and help my kids.

In the words of the great Ozzy...."Mama, I'm coming Home"

2011-01-17T21:44:00.107+01:00

Hayden-Not quite ready to leave Belgium...He wanted to stay.

The decision has been made and executed. The 'old country' has been left behind, but not forgotten. Brent dropped the children and I at the Brussels airport in the wee hours of the morning and was off to work. He will join us in Arizona when business has been settled in Belgium. It was a good thing that he dropped us off so early. There was no waiting in the British Airlines line and we had a lot of luggage to move around and check. (At least it seemed that way when you have your own luggage and that of your three children)

Logan

We made it through the security check-point with ease and settled in our not-so comfortable airport chairs. We watched planes take-off and land, read and chatted a bit about the expectation of the life that awaited us. It was almost time to board the plane for London, Heathrow when who do we see? The mother of one of our good friends in Belgium, Scott and Sabine. We had unknowingly booked the same flight to England and even more crazy, had each changed our assigned seats and chose those next to each other. It was a great serendipitous surprise. Probably much to her dismay, we chatted the whole flight to England. She had been staying with the Sturgges family for three weeks and was most likely looking for a peaceful flight home.

Upon our arrival in England, we said our goodbyes and off we went our separate ways, she for her home and I and the children for our plane across the Atlantic Ocean. Once again we waited. When it was time to leave, we filed onto the plane, found our seats, and settled in for the long flight "home". We watched movies, read and tried to sleep in our confined arrangements. After the 9+ hour flight, we were finally landing in America. We followed the masses of people to retrieve our luggage and then entered the que for customs. We handed over our Belgium exit papers and with minimal effort and even less time, we were through.

Landing in Phoenix

On our way through the doors that separate foreign travel from everyone else, we saw a banner held by my parents. "Welcome Home Family"!! We were home...for now. The children and I would be staying in my parents basement until Brent came back to the USA and we figured out where we were going and what we were going to do.

We loaded up into two cars and made our way to the Banfield homestead in Mesa, Arizona. My sister Bridget's children were anxiously awaiting their cousins arrival with a huge "Welcome Home Fishers" sign. It was great to see the family again waiting with open arms, but I am missing my man and wondering, "What's next?"

Some needed Happy Attitude

Freezing our Keesters Off

2011-01-15T12:11:00.002+01:00

Yesterday the water in our house never would get hot. This happened once

before and we were told there was just a "bubble" in the line. So I thought it would just work out. Right? No.

The oil in our boiler is OUT. That's right. 1700 euros in 4 months. Gone. We called today to see when we can get it filled. Monday. They were closing in 5 minutes. SOL. Yes, they close at noon on Saturday. Of course they do. So no heat, no hot water until Monday afternoon. And it's less than 50 degrees F. outside in the middle of the day!

Somethings in Belgium I will definitely NOT miss!

©ColleenFisher

Movie Night

2011-01-08T23:44:00.002+01:00

We haven't been to a movie in over 6 months and tonight we broke that dry spell. We went as a family to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

Interesting things of note:

The movie was in English (YEAH) and there were double subtitles flashing (Flemish and French)
There are assigned seats-we were told politely that we had taken someone's spot. (no really-they were so nice)
There was an intermission (like Gone with the Wind-have to check and see if the movie was like that in America)
The popcorn was already in the buckets-no loud popping noises and delicious smells wafting through the air.
It was a Saturday Night and the theater filled up eventually, but there weren't a ton of people waiting for other movies or long lines for that matter.
And why do they not shut the bathroom door. Seriously. If you know me you know I am not high on the propriety level, but come on people we came to see a different show.

©ColleenFisher

Feeling Blue

2010-12-19T00:25:00.002+01:00

It all started the 8th of November. The day before my 35th birthday. I am not one who cared much when I turned 30. Didn't phase me at all, but this year life seemed well, unbearable.

I think that is when the cultural shock really took hold and just about suffocated life out of me. I would look in the mirror and think, "Man, I look old. Where did all this blasted gray hair come from? And the wrinkles with zits. Come on already. Make up your mind...teenager or adult. Oh, and next year you should just be a cowgirl because you already have half of your costume, Ole Saddlebags!"

This trip to Belgium has been such a romantic thought. Who does this kind of thing. Uproots her whole family, finds her cowgirl whip and cracks it behind her unwilling herd. Giddyup. Ok, that was just keeping with the saddlebag image. It really consisted of 98% bribery. "Come on guys. I will buy you Belgium chocolate EVERYDAY. You can choose a destination in Europe of your choice. And on and on." (Feel free to add-lib here. I'm sure it would fit perfectly)

But back to November 8th. Complete and total meltdown. I had cried that morning. Listened once again to the daily (probably justified) whining, which I hear every school day I might add. "Oh, no. Not school. Mom we hate school. We don't understand what they are saying. We just sit there all day. Don't make us go." Today it really hit. I dropped them off at there school with hugs and kisses and then drove the 40 minute commute to my French class.

My usual route from Leuven to Overijse is really picturesque. Through little provincial towns like Eiden, Huldenburg and Neerijse. Next to century old churches and brick building with amazing character. There was a slight mist in the air and everything seemed dreamlike. It was truly a gorgeous morning. But one thing.

A constant gnawing feeling. I couldn't place it. I arrived at my teacher's house and entered the classroom and then he asked, "Quoi de neuf?" It means: What's new? And my reply...crying. Uncontrollable, body shaking, ugly crying. My friend Wendy gave me a hug and said, "Power through." I sat for a total of maybe 5 minutes and then I excused myself. I drove home blinded by my tears and tucked myself into bed. I just thought that maybe I was tired.

The next day was my birthday and I tried to rally. Wendy took me to lunch and we had a good time walking the streets of Leuven. My family and I went out for dinner and I cried right before I left. No real reason that I can nail down.

For the next month I would curl myself up into the fetal position and cry at least once a day. To say I was hormonal is a HUGE understatement. Call it what you will. Depression. Case of the blues. Or plain old cultural shock. Whatever it was, I never want to go back. The closest I can think of was my post-postpartum depression mixed with the feeling of getting kicked in the gut. Now that I think about it, maybe it was a lot like those dark days of years ago. Anyways....

December was here and I had done 0 shopping, 0 decorating, 0 baking and I didn't even care. I finally bought a po-dunk Christmas tree at the local Carrefoure. (Walmart) and some ornaments to paint. We sat around the table that night painting our ornaments and something trivial was said and I was at it again. Crying and bed. Crying and bed.

I am not sure what brought me out of the black abyss or blues, but right before Shea's birthday of the 14th things started looking a little brighter. Thank you Shea for being such a sweet girl and Logan for his smile and laugh and Hayden for his ability to talk your ear off. (He really can. I wonder where that shy, quite kid who hid behind my legs went.) And a big thank you shout out to Brent who loves me still through it all. Silver linings. :)

©ColleenFisher

A Visit from Sinterklass and his helper(s) Zwarte Piet

2010-12-04T21:19:00.006+01:00

Zwarte Piet/Pere Foutard

‘Twas the weekend before Sinterklass, when all through our house

Quiet commotions were happening and perhaps even a mouse.

Logan and Hayden were playing Monopoly with care,

Both wondering who’s the ultimate tycoon, and who’s the spare?

Brent was upstairs programming solutions to problems as usual,

Probably wishing those bugs would disappear faster than his struedel!

And Shea doing math and I sitting next to her workin',

Had just decided it was time to get dinner a cookin'.

When from down the street there arose such a clatter,

Shea and I looked at each other and wondered what was the matter.

We heard knocks on our window, laughter and voices,

Singing and cheering and all sorts of happy noises.

The doorbell then rang. We got up to answer.

Opening the door to five Zwarte Piet dancer-s.

They were talking and smiling and we understood not one bit.

“Ik spreek Engels” and they changed language in a Jiff.

“Sinterklaas is coming, here’s a goody bag for you”

Then I said, “Can I take a picture, maybe two?’

They grabbed onto Hayden and held him in their arms.

Logan and Shea stood in front, engrossed in the swarm.

We grabbed our boots and jacket and ran to meet their St. Nick.

He was sitting in a trailer…fully equipped.

He asked if my children and been good that year.

They answered a resounding “Yes!” and were of good cheer.

He then turned to me and said, “Ma’am, how’ 'bout you?”

I said, “Absolutely Not.”...And he knew it was true.

“That’s alright by me.” He said with a wink and a smile,

And then they were off after only a short while.

A visit with Sinterklass and Zwarte Piet was just what we were needing.

To lift our spirits on this snowy cold winter’s evening!

©ColleenFisher

What's That you say?

2010-12-03T21:20:00.012+01:00

Hayden did some painting at school today. When we got home he was walking down the hallway.

"Hayden, what is that on your butt?" I said.
"Ass paint." Hayden said.
"What did you say?" I asked.
He said, "That's paint."
My old ears are playing tricks on me!

But, both would be correct answers. (And no, it doesn't come out!)

"Pants a la mode"

©ColleenFisher

Concert de l'Ecole

2010-11-28T22:32:00.003+01:00

Yesterday, Logan and Shea participated in a school singing concert. Shea was totally excited and Logan was well, anxiety ridden. Most of the songs were sung in French, or course. They did sing one song in English. It was Chim-Chim Cher-ee from Mary Poppins. I think it might have been for our benefit, but who knows. We don't know French well enough to ask! There isn't really a hard CH sound in French, so the Chim sounded more like Shim-shimmanee. When practicing for the concert, they asked Logan and Shea how to correctly pronounce the words. Great way to get my kids a little more involved.

The concert was held in a really old small town church. It wasn't like any concert I have ever been too. The school children would sing a few numbers and then this orchestra made up of young and older children would play a few pieces. The director of this "orchestra/choir" is a part of some major orchestra in Liege. You can tell these people love what they are doing and wanted to be there. It is such a big difference from the have too and guilt-ed into involvement I am so used to.

At the end of the concert everyone kept clapping like they were asking for an encore....and one was given. I am sure this is the norm. It seemed like everyone knew what to do and we loved it. So worth the money we spent to watch the performance. (Shea front row middle; Logan top right back)

©ColleenFisher

Will the REAL Valkenburg...please stand up, please stand up!

2010-11-23T14:59:00.003+01:00

The Real Valkenburg

Saturday we decided to go to our first European Christmas market. Different markets make claims on being the oldest, the most "lit up" etc. The one we chose was in a town called Valkenburg located in Holland. It's claim to fame was "the largest and oldest Christmas market held underground." That's right, it is held in a cave. What isn't cool about that? So, we plugged the address, or the part of the address we did know (Valkenburg, Holland) into our GPS and off we went.

The drive was fairly uneventful. It is amazing what a few treats and a Ninetendo DS can do. Ahh, we had finally arrived, but we could see no signs pointing us to where the Christmas market was. We stopped in at a gas station and asked the attendant. "No idea, maybe the airfield?" No, they are held in caves. "Sorry, don't know." We drove to the airfield thinking maybe someone there could help...but no. We pulled into a gardening store and Brent the Brave asked the lady behind the cash register if she knew anything about the Valkenburg Christmas Market. "Yes." Yeah!!!!

"But you are in the wrong Valkenburg. This Valkenburg is to close to the see to have caves. The Valkenburg you need to go to is in the 'mountains'. About a 2 hour drive from here." What?!?!? That's right the 'REAL' Valkenburg we wanted was only about an hour from our house to the east, not the north. Nice.

Decision time. Well, we could just take the 2 hour drive home or take the 2 hour drive to the 'REAL' Valkenburg and hang out, then go home. So off we drove again to find the 'REAL' Valkenburg.

We arrived after the festive parade and pretty late in the evening. We found parking, always seems to be an event in itself. Walked to one of the two Christmas Markets held in caves and asked to go in. We walked up to pay (yes, it costs money to go shop..I think it is weird too) and the lady says, "We close in 15 minutes. It probably won't be worth it. I could sell you a child ticket and you could go in for 2 euro cheaper." Ok. We did drive all that way. "Oh, sorry. My register won't allow me to sell you tickets."

So, the kids settled for a sausage dog as a consolation prize. Never mind that we had eaten at McDonald's, the only place near the road, just an hour earlier. Side Note- My children are going to look so old when we move back to the states. They are growing like crazy.

We walked the streets for a little bit and found a souvenir shop that was still open. We spent our time looking at everything and then came home. Had to feel like the drive was worth it.

Next day:
Drove to the Christmas Market in the 'REAL' Valekenburg. It took a little more than one hour. Spent 12 euro on admission into the cave. Checked out the vendor's wares. Went back to the market we visited the night before, ate another sausage dog and came home.''

My review:
The cave was the coolest part about the whole Christmas Market. It is enormous. People hid in them during the World Wars. They reminded me of something straight out of Lord of the Rings. The Christmas Market itelf- kinda lame. I was expecting more Christmas ambiance. It ended up feeling like a swap meet in the wrong place.

I haven't given up hope just yet on all Christmas Markets. Apparently there is a really amazing one in downtown Brussels. I better make sure it is the'REAL' Brussels before I go.

©ColleenFisher

Visitors in the Night

2010-11-17T23:16:00.006+01:00

It is after 9 p.m. It's cold and dark outside and then our door bell rings. Our door bell rarely rings, so I was honestly a little nervous answering it. I call Brent's' name just in case I need a back-up for the mystery that awaits outside He tells me, through our awesome video surveillance phone, that it is our next door neighbor. Ok. No major problem, unless you don't speak any Dutch and she doesn't speak English, and she has a touch of dementia.

I open the door and invite her in. (It's cold outside). She stands at my doorway and looks around. She walks down the front entryway and looks in the kitchen and then our living space. I "ask" her in English and with hand movements if she want to come into the living room. She walks in and shakes Brent's hand and then starts talking rapidly in Dutch and to help us out she uses gestures. She is very excited as she is speaking to use. We here the words doctor and she is holding her chest and then gesturing the hand across the throat..you know...death. I am thinking that something is happening to her husband.

We are not quite sure what to do, so Brent calls our Landlord, her son. No answer. I end up taking her next door, hoping that this other neighbor (who I haven't met) knows some English. (A lot of the Flemish people know at least a little, once again amazing) I ring his doorbell. He come to the door, but doesn't open it. He yells through it in Flemish, of course. I say, in English, "I am sorry. I live next door and only speak English, and my other neighbor is very excited and trying to tell me something and I can't understand her." He talks in Dutch again and then opens the door.

I ask him if he speaks English and he says a little and that he will try to help me. He talks to my other neighbor and she repeats (I assume) what she told me without the gestures. He then translates for me that she wants me to know that her uncle and some of her extended family are in a bad way. They are dying. Phew.

I said, "Ok. I am sorry to have bothered you. I thought that maybe something was happening with her husband." He says, "No, no. By the way let me introduce myself properly. I am Jan. Welcome to the neighborhood. My wife Betty has some short-term memory loss (and in walks the son-in his 40's?) this is my son." I attempt, "Guten Abend". And he says to me, "You just spoke German, in Dutch it is Goedenavond". Oh, sorry.

Then Jan asks me, "Are you here on holiday?" No. My husband works at research park. "How long are you staying here?" We will probably go home next summer. "Are you learning Nederlander?" I am currently trying to learn French and a little Dutch, but am doing both terribly. We talk a little about the kids. They can hear them. I don't ask whether that is a bother or not. I am sorry to have bothered you. Thank you for your help.

My neighbor and I leave. I ask her if her husband is home, with pointing, and she says yes but stops at my front door. She wants to come in again. Ok. She comes into the living room again and sits on our couch. I grab my handy, dandy computer and go to my good old standby...Google translate. I start typing and she reads the translations and answers my questions. "Do you want to stay here?" Yes. "Would you like to talk to me a little?" Yes. "Ok."

Her son calls Brent back and talks with his mom for awhile and then Brent. For the next 10 minutes or so I type questions while she answers them. I attempt to speak what I am typing and she just looks at me and says. Hmnnnn, no. We "talk" about the chickens in the backyard and her beautiful walnut tree, and about our families. I show her some pictures form facebook. Her husband then comes and gets her. He tries to just call her from the door, but she ignores him. He comes in and then she goes with him. I type, "Thank you for the visit" (dank u voor het bezoek).

Tonight was interesting. Kind of sad ,a little crazy but mostly weird. Sometimes you just have to accept the abnormality of it all, be creative and use the tools you have available. Then again, maybe I just needed one more thing to make me stand out like sore thumb.

©ColleenFisher

Amster, Amster, dam, dam dam...

2010-11-07T16:11:00.004+01:00

Yesterday we took a road trip to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Amsterdam is a little over 2 hours from our home and so we made our trip into a day trip.

Parking is somewhat of a nightmare in Amsterdam, so the plan was to go to the Olympic Stadium there and park and then rent bicycles. Upon our arrival the parking lot was completely full and it was raining. So, we made a plan B. We drove to Anne Frank's house and were somehow lucky enough to find parking right in front. We waited in line and then took the self-guided tour. The more I see and hear about WWII, the more I admire those individuals that chose to hold tightly to hope and optimism. It astounds me. So many time I feel like abandoning ship and wonder who would I be if I lived in those times. I wish I were one of the strong, but I really wonder. We purchased a book call Tales from the Secret Annex by Anne Frank. This book consists of the short-stories, poems and thoughts that Anne wrote down. I lately seem to be having many thoughts about a little word WHY? On the inside cover she wrote:

"Why? Ever since I was a little girl and could barely talk, the word "why" has lived and grown along with me. It's a well-known fact that children ask questions about anything and everything, since almost everything is new to them. That was especially true of me,and not just as a child. Even when I was older, I couldn't stop asking questions. I have to admit that it can be annoying sometimes, but I comfort myself with the thought that "You won't know until you ask, " though by now I've asked so much that they ought to have made me a professor. When I got older, I noticed that not all questions can be asked and that many whys can never be answered. As a result, I tried to work things our for myself by mulling over my own questions. And I came to the important discovery that questions which you either can't or shouldn't ask in public, or questions which you can't put into words, can easily be solved in your own head. So the word "why" not only taught me to ask, but also to think. And thinking has never hurt anyone. On the contrary, it does us all a world of good."

I love her thoughts. And only a teenager.

We got lunch and then went to the Van Gogh museum. We didn't spend as much time as I would like to of here. Beautiful paintings. My favorite...the Almond Blossom. Really breathtaking. So much beauty from a sad individual. It was interesting to learn a little more about Van Gogh's life to. I would love to go to this museum again.

It was time for dinner and we decided to drive outside of the city. Like I said earlier, the parking is crazy and expensive. We did a GPS search on places to eat and found the best Chinese food I have ever tasted in my life. The restaurant was called Chinese Delight and it was. I have never really enjoyed seafood, but this place has changed my mind. It was amazing. I asked Shea what her favorite part of the day was...dinner. I think she might have eaten more than me, and that is a big feat!

©ColleenFisher

Beethoven Who?

2010-11-05T11:36:00.004+01:00

Brussels is home to over 80 museums, so we thought we would check out the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). I thought it was pretty amazing.

First of all the building the museum is in was designed by an architect named Paul Saintenoy in the art nouveau style. No, I don't know much about architecture or this architect, but I am totally digging his style. Dark wood and trim and door with marble tiling. Very cool.

On to the museum. You are giving headphone to wear and when you are standing in front of and facing the exhibit the music from that particular instrument plays. There were instruments from India, Africa, China and of course Europe dating pretty far back. (OK. You got me. I can't remember the oldest musical instrument there.)

My children were definitely feeling the beat. Hayden and Shea were shaking there little tushies all over the place. No I didn't stop them, I joined their ranks. In fact there were other people dancing there as well.

I only took two pictures here. After taking them, my friend informed me that they weren't allowed. Whoops, but I wish I would have known that a little later. Upstairs in the piano/harpsicord/guitar area was a piano that belonged to Beethoven. That's right THE Beethoven. Kind of amazing. I brought the kids over to the piano and told them, "This piano belonged to Beethoven." Shea said, "The dog?" (a movie naturally) and Logan said, "No. don't you know who Beethoven is?...he painted the Mona Lisa." Then proceeded to laugh hysterically. "Just kidding Mom, I know who he is."

Today we are going to talk about Beethoven.

©ColleenFisher

Technopolis

2010-11-04T10:55:00.001+01:00

Shea lost her head

Hayden using his head

On Wednesday, the kids and I joined some friends at Technopolis in Mechelen. Technopolis is filled 100's of hands-on experiments. This place is amazing. The building is so full of fun, that it spills out onto the front sidewalk.

When pulling into the parking lot you see a huge lever system with a car on one side. The kids all pulled on the ropes hanging from the opposite side and hoisted that car like it was nothing. They were instantly on cloud nine.

Inside Logan rode a bike 1/2 way across the lower floor on a tight-rope. Shea lost her head on the optical-illusion table and Hayden pounded his against a drum to test sound waves. (He originally used his fist but got tired and started using his head. They had a chess set outside and Logan challenged some French speaking kids. Both games the other boys quit before they lost. Logan was a little disappointed they wouldn't let him finish. Oh, well. We all took turns laying on a bed of nails and played with bubbles and water. Logan and I played a "mind game". The game consists of a small ball that is pushed/pulled away from the person with the least amount of anxiety/stress/heartbeat. Surprisingly, I won.

Logan the Acrobat

The place I learned the most, was also the most simply built. It was a hallway with alternating light and dark carpet tiles. You are given the instructions to cross to the other side of the hallway only on the light grey tiles.

Carpet with a meaning

On the other side you read. "Did you only walk on the light grey tiles? You really are a good girl or boy, aren't you? In some situations it's good to follow orders, but it's best if you maintain a healthy critical spirit. Here at Technopolis also, when you're doing an experiment, critical thinking about why you're doing the various things you're asked to do is always better than the slavish following of orders."Sometimes, I honestly wish my kids would just do what I told them to do. They are always asking why and do have strong wills. I need to remember that that isn't such a bad trait. Asking WHY is a valid question and so simple to do. WHY don't I ask Why more? WHY don't you?

©ColleenFisher

Koln, Germany

2010-11-02T09:51:00.005+01:00

Kolner Dom

This past weekend was a 3-day weekend for Brent, so we packed up the car and headed to Koln (Cologne) Germany. Koln is only 2 1/2 hours away and we actually made it in about that much time. I am not sure how, but I think I might have witnessed a miracle. (If wondering why, read about our trip to Paris)

Upon arrival we had pent-up energy from sitting for SO long that we decided to climb to the top of the Kolner Dom. The children climbed with our friend Ron at record speed I am sure. Brent stayed behind with the straggler, me. Not the best day to choose style over comfort. Boots with heels are not the best way to climb a small and winding staircase. There was only one way up and down, so part of the time I was barely stepping on any stone as the crowd of people were trying to get past each other.. A little scary.

Forest Art

After this amazing feet we were starving. (We hadn't eaten for like 3 hours.) We headed to the massive train station to find a place to eat. We divided and conquered the quest for lunch. The adults bringing sushi/Chinese food in to the Pizza Hut for the kids. After lunch we walked around a chocolate/candy and bought the kids a bag. (Everything seems to go so much smoother when food and candy are involved.)

We then watched street performers and toured inside the cathedral. We were a little tired of walking around so we decided to take a little train tour of Koln. Honestly it was kinda hmm, but it was nice to sit, chat and eat candy. The kids loved it.

Rheinfels Castle

The next day we went to Rheinfels Castle near the town of St. Goar on the Rhine River. This castle, built in 1245, is now in ruins. It is amazing to see the size of this place, even in such a state. There is a maze of tunnels underneath the ruins that you can go into still today. It is so small that most adults would have to crawl through them. Shea was the bravest and went with Brent first. The boys followed later. The boys went through twice and Shea 4 times. Colleen 0. I hate small spaces, especially in the dark. The Rhine River was so beautiful dressed in its' full Autumn attire. On the way home we looked down a forest road and had to turn around. Carved out of trees were the coolest wooded statues. Someone has amazing talent hidden in the forest. My guess...forest gnomes.

The large prison cell (30 people)

Monday was All-Saints' Day and no school. We were still in Koln and decided to go to the "El De" house. It was used as a Gestapo Prison during WWII. In the basement were cells built to hold 1 or two person, but really held 8-10 sometimes more. On the walls were engraving written by the prisoners themselves in many different languages. Russian, Czech, French, Dutch, German, Romanian and on. Many saying they didn't know why they were there and about the torture they could hear coming from the other rooms. Heart wrenching stories. These stories could change a persons' life if we pondered them for any amount of time and....if we let them.

©ColleenFisher

Halloween

2010-10-31T22:17:00.003+01:00

Hayden and his friend the Werewolf

Shea getting some fairy advice

Halloween isn't a big holiday here in Belgium. Only a few homes have festive decorations and when entering the grocery store you might be lucky to find 1/2 of a shelf on half of a aisle tucked in the back with anything Halloween. The only trick-or-treating I heard of was organized by an American expat living in Belgium. I voted against the OD of candy and in favor of taking a "walk in the woods" with some friends at the city of Ottignes' "celebration". It was a mash-up of Halloween meets a "Mid-Summer's Night" -only in October. Different, but really fun.

Do blonds really have more fun?

Oh, but I'm a GOOD witch.

Upon arrival we followed the masses, many of whom where dressed up, into a tent with music by a live band and an offering of free pumpkin soup for the children. They wouldn't eat it, so I indulged. (A little spicy, but not bad.) Onto the trail of lights winding through the park. The next couple of hours were spent wondering the path of lights and stopping in on little gypsy looking wagons. There were children crafts, pumpkin carving, zombies dancing, story telling, fairy/elves dancing around a bonfire, a puppet show, pumpkin carving, flashing lights in the woods, and a mid-evil wooden dragon puppet that blew fire.
We went back to the tent and bought our children a hot dog and soda. A little healthier than candy, but probably not much. It was a very cool enchanted Halloween.

©ColleenFisher

Musee Du Jouet (Toy Museum)

2010-10-24T18:22:00.009+02:00

Today's adventure led the Fisher Family to the Musee du Jouet (Toy Museum) in Brussells. We thought to ourselves, "What could be cooler than a museum that actually lets you play with the toys? We are so there!" So off we went.

We got there a little early and had time to talk a short walk to the Botanical Gardens. It was a crisp autumn day, but in the sunshine it was quite lovely. We strolled around for about a half hour. In that time we met a man named Ben from England, who has lived all over the world, and made the decision to move to Brussels on a whim. (The last part sounds a bit familiar, and all that information was given in less than 5 minutes. I think if the Minute Menu Plan doesn't work out, I think I might have a career in the private investigator field.) (Picture-Me trying to show the kids how much fun this museum can be. I realize I am riding a "rocking motorcycle"...The real "rocking horse" was missing the handles.)

Back to the museum. It is run by a very nice elderly man, who let me attempt to speak to him in French and spoke V E R Y S L O W L Y back to me. I loved it. What I did not really care for was the museum. I was a little disappointed with the lack of toys my children and myself, could play with. Most were in glass cases, and kinda reminded me of hmmm.......an attempt at a collection of antiques, but to the untrained eye (mine) the leftover garage sale toys that manage to make it to the shelves of D.I.

We were checking out a electric train and Shea turned around and said, "If you are going to ask me what I think about this place, it's kind of weird but mostly dumb. All these toys and you can't even play with most of them."

I concur. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

(My children in their constant state of excitement. I have stopped trying to have a "great" family picture that shows everyone with beautiful smiles. It's just not possible. Plus, these make me laugh WAY more.)

©ColleenFisher

Playing with Food

2010-10-22T18:49:00.001+02:00

Sometimes you just have to PLAY with your food.

It's WAY more Fun,

AND less filling!!

©ColleenFisher

Vossem Light Parade

2010-10-17T21:33:00.006+02:00

Last night, with some old and new friends, we went to our first ever night parade. The city of Vossem Belgium was hosting the festivities and it was definitely a first. We had such a great time.

We had dinner at our new friends home and then made the short walk to the city center. There aren't many street lights in these small cities, but people had their homes decorated with christmas type light, candles in jars and luminaries. We found a perfect spot on the street and waited for the parade to begin.

This parade was similar to other parades that I have been to in some respects, but cooler. There were people dressed up in "traditional" Belgium costumes on differing heights of stilts all painted to look like the Belgium flag. There were others dressed up like witches with their broomsticks aglow running around the street and straight toward us. (Hayden saw one coming and let's just say the kid has good reflexes-he was outta there fast) There were the "friendly giants" of great Tervuran-2x's as tall as most men-maybe even Uncle John! And my personal favorite-A funky looking bicycle pedaled float with monks dressed up sitting around a bar-handing out beer to the parade-goers. Forget candy for the children. (They did have cool glow stick though.)

Fun night.

©ColleenFisher

Not If, But When...It's When

2010-10-10T19:18:00.003+02:00

In my post, Pete and Repeat went to the Hospital, I mentioned that because my children were so active it wasn't a matter of IF we went back, but WHEN. Well, the when happened less than a week after Shea got her cast removed......


Shea flashing the "Peace sign/2nd time sign".

I was in the lovely town of Tervuren, with my friend Wendy when I got a phone call from Brent telling me that Shea got hurt again at school and I needed to go get her. Seriously!!! "Now, don't freak out." Brent says, "She hurt her hand, and we need to take her to the hospital, but she's ok." Off to school I go, again.

This time I needed to take Logan and Hayden out of their classes too. We only have one car and I knew I wouldn't make it out of the hospital before the school day ended. The best part? I was able to tell the Director I needed to take Logan and Hayden out in French. (Well, enough that he could understand me at least.)

What happened you might ask? There is a gate connecting the "playing field" to the "school yard" area. There were two boys (5th year) on one side of the fence pushing one way and two girls (3rd or 4th year) pushing on the other side. A sort of a game let's say. You might be able to see where I am going with this. Shea came along and knew that she, with her superwoman strength, could help these girls beat those puny boys, plus she wanted to go to the school yard side. (Never mind that she could of just walked around the building the other way.)

She starts pushing one way on the girl side and manages to move the gate inches, in their favor. To keep her stronghold she puts her hand in between the gate and the building to keep hold of the girl's small, but well-earned gain. The boys get a sudden burst of energy and SMASH. Yep. I thought for sure her hand was broken. Off to the emergency room, again.

After our visit to the E.R., radiologist and back to the E.R. We are assured that her hand in NOT broken, but that all the tissue underneath her skin is bruised badly, probably worse than a break. No cast, but and interesting hand wrap with a metal support taped to her fingers.

Thankfully it is not the same doctor who said on our last visit when the cast was removed, "I hope to not see you again." We don't see him...until the next week. When we enter, he shakes his head and he automatically knows he needs speak English to us. I felt a little like Norm on the TV show Cheers. "The crazy Americans are back." Yep, they've got us pegged.

©ColleenFisher

Deutchland Oktoberfest- Family Style

2010-10-04T12:22:00.014+02:00

I love Autumn. It is my FAVORITE time of year. I love the smell of good-things baking, the feel of the crisp air, the sound of the leaves crunching under my feet and the ABUNDANCE of color. Autumn is my Spring.

This past weekend, we enjoyed this time of year in one of the most famous/infamous places known for it's "Fall Festival". Germany. We went to visit our friend Ron Hubscher in Stuttgart. We left right after school on Friday and drove east, through the beautiful Ardenne Mountain range and onto the autobahn. After a long scenic drive and an interesting wrong turn (given to us by our moody GPS guide that we have named B, short for Beatrice when she is helpful and good, short for something else when she is not) we arrive at our destination.

Ron is gracious enough to let us stay at his place. We not only stay, we take over. He gives us his bed and he sleeps on the couch. Nice guy, right. I think so.

Saturday morning we are on the train headed for the Volksfest. Yippee! It's around 10 a.m. and people are piling into the trains dressed in their finest lederhosen and dirndls, bottles of beer in hand. (Never wanted a drinkl so bad-some were really cute) Some drunk college age kid started talking to Hayden in Germany and Hayden runs over to me. I say we only speak English and his friend translates that his "tipsy" friend was trying to have a joke with Hayden about him being and old man. Obviously the joke didn't quite work out as well as he had hoped...lost in translation I guess.

The festival was alot like an enormous carnival. It reminded us of Lagoon in Utah. They even had a roller coaster that was exactly like the Colossus. Only Hayden and I braved the roller-coaster. Shea, Logan and Hayden enjoyed riding the "musical express" three times and doing the bumper cars. (Holy crap. I have never seen bumper cars move that fast before. Hello whip-lash!) The festival/amusement park even had a log ride set up. A fun time was had by all. I think my children's favorite part was the cotton candy. I was taking a picture of Shea when right on cue an obliging German jumped in. This picture makes me laugh every time I see it.

We enjoyed eating carnival food and taking in the spectacle. We ducked into one of the restaurants for lunch. Traditional 1/2 chicken, potatoes and apple soda. I was a little disappointed in the pretzel. I was hoping for large, warm, deliciousness. Got the opposite. Next time warm delicious pretzel, you will be mine.

We did peak in some of the "tents". Really they were Ginormous building chuck full of people. Lots of laughter, music and dancing. On the day we were there we only saw 4 ambulances. The Germans sure know how to have a party.

The next day we went to the gardens at the palace in Ludwigsburg. This palace has AMAZING gardens. They have this whole "children's" section set up with famous fairytale story rides and houses. We took a boat ride featuring the story of Pinocchio, saw the Frog Prince, Little Red and the Enormous wolf, and looked through the magic mirror. Shea was of course, the fairest in the land. Hmm. Does that make me the wicked step-mother? (Just depends on the day..ask my children. Rarrr!)

We picked the best day to go. They just happen to be having a fall festival. Gourds of every shape, color and size were there. Through out the grounds there were "statues" made up of gourds. We ate our picnic lunch in the sunshine and enjoyed a wonderful day.

I'm telling you, Autumn should be called Awesome. Just saying.

©ColleenFisher

Bon Anniversaire Hayden à Paris

2010-09-21T12:28:00.006+02:00

When planning our move to Belgium, we promised the children that they could chose a place to visit in Europe for their birthday. Hayden's birthday is September 22, and the first one we get/got to celebrate in Belgium. This past weekend we made good on our promise.

Hayden's birthday wish: To Eat Something on the Eiffel Tower.


Hayden's first view(candid)

We left for the 4 1/2 hour drive to Paris after school on Friday. We arrived at our hotel in Paris about 6 hours later. (Note to self-no more drinks for children on road trips). We booked two rooms. The maximum occupancy per room was 2 children. Our friend Ron was meeting us for this weekend getaway, so he GOT to share a room with Logan or Logan with him....whichever. The rooms were as small as my childrens' bedrooms back in Highland, crammed with a "queen-sized" bed and a twin bed with a trundle. Good thing we came to NOT stay in our hotel room the entire time. We basically had snacks for dinner and crashed.

Saturday morning, 8 a.m.. Rise and shine! Let's get going. We got breakfast at a neighborhood market and headed underground to figure out the metro system. After some help from our friendly ticket lady, (she actually really was nice) we took the train to the city center. First stop-la toilette. (No more water-ever!)

Our favorite statue at the Louvre

For the next few hours we walked around town, in and out of shops, just enjoying the atmosphere. We found a game shop and Logan was invited to play a game called War Hammer. I don't know much about the game, but Logan won in a few minutes. We got a bite to eat at a take-away sandwich shop and walked toward Notre Dame. We arrived just in time for the bells. No sign of Quasimodo.

After Notre Dame, we walked to the Louvre. The children were kind of tired of walking by now, so we just sat around the fountains outside and relaxed in the nice sunny weather. After our break, we went inside to check out the inverted pyramid. We walked around the shops, but no one really seemed to want to go in and enjoy the real art but me, so we headed to the Itunes store- just outside the museum. We played on the new ipod nano and the iphone and then headed to the 'Latin Quarter' for dinner. We ate at some Greek restaurant and then took the train to the Eiffel tower.

We told Hayden we would go see the Eiffel tower at night and again the next day for breakfast. We got out of the train and looked at souvenir shops on stroll to the tower. I was holding Hayden's hand and noticed the tower through the trees. I said, "Hayden-look." His face was priceless-even with gum in his mouth. When we were under the tower, he said it was smaller than he thought, but maybe he didn't want to go up in it for breakfast. Brent and I said we would come back and just eat by the tower and then decide later if we wanted to go up it.

Moi et Mon Amore

The next morning we boarded the train and set off again to our "principale destination". We embarked the train on the other side of the Seine. This time at stop: Trocadero. This is THE place to view the Eiffel tower and enjoy a breakfast of warm crepes with Nutella and banana. What a view! and YUMMM! (Hayden and I had the crepes, Brent-waffles, Logan and Shea-a hot dog with a coke. ???)

After a relaxing breakfast with a view, we decided (with some bribery) that we would climb the Eiffel tower. We climbed to the 2nd floor and enjoyed the views of Paris. On the way up and down around the half-way mark Shea and Hayden break into song......Whoa, we're half-way there, Whoa-o living on a prayer. Bon Jovi would be proud. You could hear the other "hikers" laughing. All I can say is Thank you Rock Band. After our time at the tower, we wandered the streets of Paris some more, passing by the the Military School and stopping in at a cafe for lunch.

Time to go. Paris for the weekend was a whirlwind trip time wise, but once we slowed down a bit, it became enjoyable. Sometimes I think I need to squeeze so many things into my day, a trip, a life that I forget to slow down and just APPRECIATE. A life lesson I need to apply.

Saying good-bye to Ron

When Hayden first told me what he wanted to do for his birthday, I thought it was kind of funny...Eat something at the Eiffel Tower? That little wish ended up being my favorite part of the whole trip- breakfast with my family on the steps of the Trocadero, while basking in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

Bon Anniversiare Hayden!(and Ron)
Paris etait Merveilleux!

(Happy Birthday Hayden. Paris was Marvelous!)

©ColleenFisher

Grandpa and Grandma Fisher are coming :) and going :(

2010-09-12T13:11:00.002+02:00

The first week in September, Grandpa Frank and Grandma Judy Fisher came to visit. They arrived Sunday morning and instead of being totally wiped out from their journey they were ready to get moving. We decided on Brugge and off we went. (What troopers!)

The train ride went by quickly and soon we were at our destination. We strolled the streets of Brugge and our first stop was the Church of our Lady to see Michelangelo's 'Madonna and Child.'

We showed Frank and Judy our favorite Brugge spots and then enjoyed dinner in the main square. Dinner apparently didn't fill us, so we stopped to get some traditional Belgium Waffles for the train ride home.

The next morning the kids went to school and Frank and Judy slept. (Finally) Brent took the afternoon off and we enjoyed our stroll around Leuven. We enjoyed a late lunch and then I needed to get the children from school. Frank is an architect by profession, but also a wonderful artist. While I was gone with the children, he took out his painting supplies and painted a beautiful picture of the Grote Markt as seen from the Stadhuis. What talent.

More of Frank's Art.
http://pleinairzionpark.blogspot.com/

We had a great time with Frank and Judy. Thanks for the visit. Next time stay longer.

©ColleenFisher

Pete and Repeat went to the Hospital....

2010-09-10T13:06:00.002+02:00

On the second day of school a woman named Katherine, the mother of Antonia, Alexi and Raphe, invited me to her home to help me "learn some of the ropes". We sat around her table and chatted for a few hours (in English). It was delightful. School was over and it was time to go get the kids. Katherine invited me and the kids to come back after school. I thought this would be a great opportunity to formulate some friendships and accepted her offer.

When I went to pick up the children, I found Shea holding her left arm next to her stomach and looking like she was in a little pain. Having seen this before, I decided to give it the rest of the day to see if she might miraculously feel better when we were at our friend's house. We enjoyed a few hours of play and talk, but Shea would still not use her arm. Hmm. Maybe it is just a sprain. She wasn't crying or freaking out, so we waited until the next morning.

Still no sign of improvement so off to the doctor we went. Thankfully we had already been to a doctor to get physicals done, so we knew where one was and that she spoke English. We called and were in her office less than an hour later. Do I have and SIS card yet? No. (SIS card is some sort of card we are supposed to carry around with all our medical history/information on it) The doctor checked her arm and sent us to the Radiology department at the hospital.

The hospital...

When arriving at the hospital you must go to registration. No big difference from America. We enter through the registration doors and are immediately lost. I ask the lady behind the desk, "Do you speak English? Yes. "What am I supposed to do?" She pointed to a ticket machine by the door. The machine gives you 3 choices, all in Dutch. We tell her why we are there and she pushes the one that looks like it could say "registration". We get our ticket and wait. The waiting room kind of reminds me of the DMV.. You have rows of chairs and you wait for a huge t.v. monitor to display your ticket. Once your ticket is displayed you go to the window/desk waiting for you. We wait, get called and then I ask my favorite question, "Do you speak English"? Yes. Do we have our SIS card? No. We get registered and then sent to the radiology department.

We take the elevator up to the floor where radiology is supposed to be located. We exit into an area that looks like it should be closed off for construction/remodeling work. The door to our right says "radiology" so we walk through it and enter a long hallway with electrical wires hanging through the ceiling and the wall to our side looks like a temporary wall of plastic looking sheet rock. There is a door open on the left and a women inside who I ask my question again. "Do you speak English?" She does, of course and takes our paper work from registration and tells me to wait in the waiting room down the hall. You mean the hall under construction? Yep.

We walk down the hall and see a room with people, chairs and real walls. This must be the place. After waiting a little while a name that sounds like Shea's name is called. We approach the technician who starts talking to us and again I say, "Do you speak English?" Yes. He bring us further down the hall to a row of doors in the temporary wall side. We go through one. On the other side is a pretty normal looking x-ray room. X-rays are finished and we are sent back to the waiting room.

A few minutes later we are called back up. Yes, Shea's arm is broken and we need to go down to the Urgent Care/ Emergency area. (Crap. I guess I won't be winning the Mother of the year award again this year.) We go back down the hallway of construction/construction workers-with no whistles-lame. We go back through the doors, down the elevator and get lost. We were told to go right, but the door says "Do not Enter". A man in scrubs walks through and I ask, "Do you speak English?" A little bit. "Can you tell me how to get to Urgent care?" Through these doors. He actually walks us there. Thank you, thank you. We went through a few other doors and were where we needed to be.

I hand the lady the paperwork from the radiology department and ask, "Do you speak English?" Yes. Do I have my SIS card? No. Wait on these chairs and a nurse will help me. Enter the nurse speaking Dutch. "Do you speak English?" A little. The nurse checks us in and then we are sent to wait in another waiting room. We wait some more and then are taken to a room to wait. A doctor enters and starts talking. I interrupt. "I'm sorry, I only know English." He speaks to me in English and tells me he will need to put a soft cast on Shea and then leaves. About a half hour later the nurse from the beginning comes back and suits Shea up in her soft cast. We will have to come back for the hard cast next week.

The next week..

Registration department take two. We enter the doors and push the "registration" button. After our number is called we ask, "Do you speak English?' Yes. Do I have my SIS card? No. Done registering. Up the elevators to Orthopedics. Hand the paper work to the receptionist. "Do you speak English?" Yes, Please wait in the waiting room down the hall. The nurse calls Shea. "Do you speak English?" Yes. She brings us into a room with 4 beds lined up. We get a bed behind curtain number 3. The doctor comes over and starts talking in Dutch. The nurse says, "They speak English" The doctor changed language mid-sentence. Amazing. Set Shea up with a cast and we were on our way.

My side note.

The hospital-Crazy, but like most things, once you know the system it can run smoothly. I hope to never go back to the hospital again, but if any of you know my EXTREMELY active children it is not a question of if, but when.

I am totally fascinated by people who can speak multiple languages. Most of the Flemish people we have met hear speak Dutch, French and English. (Thankfully) I feel kind of language stupid. Do I speak English? Yes, but only just.

©ColleenFisher

On the First Day of School...

2010-09-09T21:36:00.011+02:00

The first day/week of school as told from the mouth of my babes....

Logan’s 1st Day of School
On the 1st day of schooI I played hooky…just kidding. When I arrived in class, I had to talk about myself in front of the class, in French. I think I did pretty good. I was glad that 2 people in my class spoke English. One boy named Antonio and the other Vlad. I sit by Antonio. He helps me figure out where things are supposed to go and what to do. In my class there are about 20 kids. That is the whole 6th grade. They are all surprised at how tall I am. They are shrimps. Even the “biggest kid” is a whole head smaller than I am. I was glad the 1st day was only a ½ day.

Logan’s 1st week
I wanted to play hooky again the next day, but my parents drug me to school. There lunch recess is 1 ½ hours long. I love it. I made two goals playing soccer. During one assignment, I gave my teacher my paper and she showed it to the whole class. Everyone in class stared at me and I made a funny face. They all laughed. All the boys seem to like me and try to talk with me. I try to talk French back. So far Ecole est tres bien! (School is very good)

Shea’s 1st Day of School
The first day of school was fun. My Mom and Dad kissed me goodbye and my teacher was an old girl. She had glasses and wrinkles and Hayden’s color of hair. There was this girl in class who came and helped me. She was about 30 and had brown hair and brown eyes and was wearing tights with a shirt. I sat by a girl named Magaree. The next day Magaree went to a different spot and Luca came to sit by me. He kind of helps me. He mostly says no Shea, but sometimes puts his thumbs up. He doesn’t speak English. Recess is really fun.

Shea’s 1st Week of School
I met a girl who speaks English. Her name is Alexi. She is my age, but in the 5th year. She is Antonio and Raphe’s sister. On the 2nd day of school we had gym. The boys and girls started taking off their pants and shirts in class to get changed for gym. I feel uncomfortable getting changed like that. I didn’t like it at all. On the 2nd day of school I also broke my arm and am now wearing a cast. I broke it on the rope slide/swing. There was one rope hung up and I tried to grab it and then BANG! I fell down right onto my arm. The 3rd day of school I spent at the doctor and hospital with my Mom.

Hayden’s 1st Day of School
The first day of school was good, but I didn’t have a morning snack. I liked first recess. Class is not that bad with an English person inside. I sit next to Raphe. He is my friend. The school doesn’t have real parts of a playground (slide, swings, monkey bars). There is a little part of a playground. It is a rope swing/slide. I play soccer sometimes. My class is thumbs up, that means good.

Hayden’s 1st Week of School
Louie also speaks English in my class. On one day of the week I made an obstacle course. You go around tires and climb something with little sticks and try to get across the school in 10 seconds. I saw a short-cut there. On another day it was raining and I saw two long-legged spiders at recess. One time at school I spoke a little French to Raphe. On Monday is gym. I liked it because we played a game like dodge ball, but I don’t remember the name. On Friday’s gym day we played a game where someone calls your name and you have to run up and catch a ball. I think French is a little fun.

©ColleenFisher

School Days are Here at Last

2010-08-31T21:47:00.001+02:00

This is literally our longest summer vacation. We left school May 19th, a week early, to attend my brother's wedding in Arizona. School in Belgium doesn't start until the first of September, tomorrow. That gives the Fisher family 16 weeks off any "normal" routine. Starting tonight, we are back on the wagon by having all three in bed by 9.

Normally I would be breathing a sigh of relief. All three kids gone, all day. Ahh. Now I can work on the Minute Menu plan and get it where it needs to be to become successful. I can do all those things that I want to do without those constant interruptions. Tonight however those feelings are 99% non-existent. Tonight I am filled with anxiety, brought on by my own decisions.

Tomorrow my three children will start a new school, in a new town, in a new country with a new language. They will not be able to comprehend the majority of what most people at the school are saying. Here's to us...hoping that we all SURVIVE and THRIVE this coming year.

©ColleenFisher

School Shopping-In French

2010-08-26T20:00:00.010+02:00

Today the kids and I spent the greater part of our day shopping for school supplies, in the all French speaking city of Lovain-la-Neuve, 20 km south of here. I didn't know where to buy supplies, so I asked the director of the school, and he recommended a store called Ciaco. I ignorantly thought this would be great because the signs for the supplies would match up to what I needed on my list. I would soon find out that none of the store assistants spoke English It would make for an interesting and slightly frustrating day.

The 3 class lists of supplies were in French, of course, so I spent a few hours translating them with the help of my crutch, Google translate. There were items I could easily guess what they were like l'calculatrice and l'compass or whose translation was easily converted by google, like des marqueurs suligneurs <(flo)> (highlighters-fluorescent). Others were less comprehensible like on Shea's list- 10 chemises transparentes. Google translated them to be 10 transparent shirts....What? (They really are sheet protectors.) Or une latte translated to be a strip. It's tape.

The kids and I started our "treasure hunt" early so we would have energy to complete the almost impossible. We searched for what we thought were the easy items first. The pens they use here aren't like the pens in America, or at least the ones I have purchased before. A person buys a pen and then extra ink to refill in the pen. Most pencils are like mechanical pencil, which are easy enough. On the items I got stumped on I would go wait in line to "talk" to an associate.

The first time I tried to get help, I found out that no store associate spoke Englsih and nice man behind me spoke English and helped me talk to the store associate. The rest of the time my talking consisted of me pointing at my supply sheet and them walking me to the item. After about the fifth time I could feel their annoyance. I once asked a boy next to me where something was by using my same pointing method. He was Logan's age and spoke English to me. I asked him how he knew English and he told me his mother was American. His name is James.

Later that day, and still in the same store, I would meet James' mom Susan. I asked her where something was and she helped me translate items that where still incomprehensible from Googles' translation. We talked for awhile and exchanged phone numbers. She said to call her whenever I needed help or if I wanted to go get a coffee. Today I am grateful for Susan and James.

Four hours and over 300 Euro later, we FINALLY left Ciaco...totally burnt out.

©ColleenFisher

Roller Parade

2010-08-21T23:02:00.003+02:00

On your marks...Michael and Brent

Last night we were invited to go to a Roller Parade with one of Brent's colleagues "Michael from Australia." In Summer on Friday nights in the great city of Brussels, hundreds of people get on their roller blades/skate or bikes and do a 'Tour de Brussels'. They have a beginner course for newbies from 8-9 pm and then you have an option to continue on until Midnight, if you dare.

The "beginning" course isn't a cake walk. You have to cross some areas of road with cobblestones and tracks from the train. There is one section in particular where you cross a cobblestone/track zone at a 5-way intersection, surrounded by people dining-just waiting for someone to bite the dust. Amazingly I did not fall. Yet.

Me in Downtown Brussels

After the "intersection of death and possible ridicule and embarrassment", you climb a hill. Should be a warning sign for the future. I thought I would take it easy down this slope, so I went back and forth, kinda like skiing. I continued to pick up speed and totally biffed it. I was already at the back of the rollerblading section and the helpers yell something like, "Newbie Down". the DJ truck behind me stops and the assistants helps me up and takes my hand and tells me to skate with him the rest of the way down the hill. I take his hand and we are picking up speed, but he is totally holding me up. Kind of an amazing feet since I ain't no petite woman. We reach the bottom of the hill at break neck speed...and then he lets go of my hand and skate off. HELLO! Totally lost control, and smacked into a parked car. Yes, the door handle of an unlucky mini-cooper has left its' mark on my leg.
A police woman skates up to me and starts talking. I say English? She says, "You have a break, use it." Uh, Wow. Thanks for the Great Advice.

After the Fall-In the tunnel of Achievemnt

We reach the end of the beginning route and it's pretty flat, so we continue down. Brent is now next to me on every decline. I am preferring the flat parts and even the uphills. We are enjoying our stroll and then we see the next danger zone...a tunnel with a mammoth-sized decline. Crap. Brent is next to me and I am riding the break like it's my life line. Then Brent starts to pick up speed and to save me, he lets me go. I attempt to weave back and forth to take it slow. Nice try. I smack right into Brent and down we both go. I think the adrenaline was pumping because it didn't hurt that bad. The rest of the way down the hill I hold on to the side of the wall like a toddler. At the end of the tunnel the same "friendly" helper asks me if I want to ride the bus...a city bus filled with the weak, tired and occasional bloody participant. I accept.

About two blocks later the whole roller derby is on break and I get off the bus for another try. As I am leaving, my now seemingly personal assistant suggests I start near the front of the line. Off I go to see if I can "keep up with the crowd" by starting at the front. I think the only thing that changed was that the bus people didn't have to stare at my slow tushy anymore..for a little while at least.

We skate for a bit more and my legs are getting pretty tired. It's the kind of tired you get when skiing and say, "Just one more run... then you break your leg." I decide to board the bus and tour the rest of the city in the comfort of a public bus with some of my closest, sweatiest, road-rash wearing buddies. Brent and Michael join me. We ride the bus for the next 1+ hours.

It was a really fun night. I was amazed at how many skaters were there. The ranged from young children to senior citizens, trick jumpers to the ones whose only trick was trying to not to kiss the road. (I obviously am in the latter group. The road and I are still on speaking terms). Next time, I am taking a bike and wearing a helmet. Eat my rubber you asphalt!

The mini-cooper mark: a week later.

©ColleenFisher

Mechelen Take Two

2010-08-12T22:34:00.003+02:00

Today we went to Mechelen. This city is home to St. Rumbold's Tower. It took over 300 years to build, talk about TENACITY! It is the symbol of Mechelen, and is 97.28 m high and contains two carillons, each with 49 bells. (We went a few days ago too, but didn't have time to climb to the top of the tower before closing time.-Whoops. Poor planning but honestly no planning ;) )

Given our "dedication", we went back and conquered the 514 stairs to the top. We were almost to the first bell room when we were given a "private concert". (The only other people in the tower we saw were people who worked there)

Upon looking out of the windows, Hayden decided he didn't want to go up to the top anymore. I told him that the stairs we came up were only up stairs and the only way down was to go through the top. This sounds mean and made up, but it really was true. After only a minute of tears, we were on our way again. And the view was amazing. There is no question why Napoleon used this tower to watch over his armies. You can see FOREVER.

At the end of the "tour" we had the opportunity to sign the guestbook. I let the kids write whatever they wanted. Hayden was writing and asked me how to spell thought. What is he writing...had to take a picture. Honesty. Love it.

©ColleenFisher

Abdij van Kaizersberg

2010-08-11T17:16:00.002+02:00

Today's big event was to visit a place near our home called Abdij van Kaizersberg. It was on the Leuven tourism site under site-seeing and near our home, so we took a short walk there to take a look. Upon arrival the doors were closed, but another group was there and rang the door bell. A monk answered the door and spoke to the group and then it was our turn.

"Do you speak English?" Yes. "We saw this place on the Leuven tourism site, so you give tours here?" No, this is a monastery. We teach about 70 students everything from theology to medicine. "Oh, ok. Sorry to bother you. Can we check out your grounds?" No, they are not open until September.

Kind of a short lived excursion.

To the kids, "So, do you want to walk downtown for an ice cream?" Yeah! Phew. Saved.

©ColleenFisher

Minute Menu Plan

2010-08-10T22:18:00.001+02:00

Lately our days revolve around trying to find a place to live and where to send our children to school. Yes, we are STILL looking. We thought we had a place Woluwe-St. Pierre, but they told us no. Brent called the "agent" for a place in Blanden in the morning and by the afternoon, when our paperwork was ready the house no longer available. We have a few more places lined up the next couple of days, so something will work out.

On a more exciting note, Minute Menu Plan is in Beta testing phase. We have been working on a new software program the last few months that will bring an organized approach to meal planning. We are pretty excited about it. Here hoping the testing goes well and that we can release our software soon.

©ColleenFisher

Wanna Smoke?

2010-08-06T23:15:00.003+02:00

Tonight we needed some fresh air and headed to our favorite park. We were in a lovely game of tag when Logan came down the huge slide and said, "There's a little kids smoking up there." He tried to talk to me and I just said I spoke English and went down the slide. I thought it must be some teenager trying to escape his Mamma's stronghold. (There was some sort of Mother/child gathering going on.)

A few minutes passed and Hayden came and told me the same thing and added that the boy could speak English. Time to investigate. Sure enough there was a kid, smaller than Hayden, smoking a cigarette. He was a pro. He wasn't the only one either. There was a group of mini "adults" all lit up, walking around with one hand in their pocket and the other one holding there fix. There mothers were right there. It must be a cultural thing.

©ColleenFisher

Hapjetapje - "Taste of Leuven" Festival

2010-08-02T10:56:00.003+02:00

Enjoying the Feast-i-val

Once a year in downtown Leuven they have a Feast-vi-val. Many vendor line the different markets and sell "samples" of their food and drinks for only a couple of Euros. Quite the discount. Many of the countries of Europe were represented here. We sampled a few and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the crowd. The band playing in the square was even dressed like chefs. It was a deliciously, good time.

Local "Artist"

On our walk home we stopped at the "Bloody Nose Park" Being an urban area, there is graffiti all over the place. I often wondered how people got away with painting elaborate scenes. Apparently it is done in broad daylight with as many cans of spray paint as possible. Not an easy escape for anyone carrying all those cans if the Fuzz was after you, but it does make the finished artwork nicer. Well worth the cost I think.

©ColleenFisher

ATOMIUM

2010-07-31T20:36:00.003+02:00

The School of Fish-er

Today we went "back in time" and visited the Atomium, built for the 1958 World Fair. Inside was the history and building of Atomium. They also had a temporary exhibit focused on immigration to Belgium. We could personally relate to the presentation.

Brent at one with the Atomium

Logan-The history was neat and so was the design, but kinda sucked because we couldn't go into all the "balls".

Shea: Pretty Cool. I liked the top part.

Hayden: Pretty good. The top was my favorite.

(We made them go to the top. They were NOT happy about this while waiting in line for the elevator. Tears were shed.)

©ColleenFisher

Missing a Home and our Little Dog too

2010-07-30T11:54:00.001+02:00

This past week we have been SEARCHING for a home. We found one that could work, close to a school that was listed on the expat.com site that said they took students that don't speak French. It is in a suburb of Brussels, so a much bigger city. We told the agent we wanted it and now he has to present us to the owners. We are also going to look at a couple more today. Just in case that doesn't work out.

This move is fun and glamorous, but it has had some rough patches as well. Sometimes I think I have "gone around the bend". Who does this?

1)Most stores close around 6 pm and aren't open at all on Sunday. Most of the stores don't accept the debit or credit card we have, so we have to withdraw cash every time we want to purchase something. (Probably has saved us money since it is such a hassle).

2)I haven't seen any drive-thrus and only one "fast food" looking place called Quick Burger. (I lied, I saw a McDonald's here too, but still don't consider it food so can't technically count it). I now know why most people are so skinny here.

3)Pretty much everything seems harder. I know it is a learning curve. The thing that makes this move the most difficult is watching my kids. I want to expose them to more of the world, different cultures and ways of thinking, but it is hard to watch the struggle and I worry about the looming date of school.

The kids miss their cousins and friends terribly. They are always asking when someone is coming to visit us. Today I was told by 2/3 of the children that they have decided to move back home because they want to be with their dog Sadie again. I told them that we don't have a house home, but that our home is wherever we are all together. I also tried to explain AGAIN that their Uncle Marc was very nice in taking Sadie to live with him and his dog Joey. That hasn't helped much. I feel a coup is on the rise.

Logan is reading this next to me and would like to add his name to the list to move back to the US. I told you there are rebellion forces at work. Does that make us Darth Vadar? "Logan, Shea and Hayden, we are your parents". NOOOOOOO! they cry in unison.

©ColleenFisher

Peanut Gallery

2010-07-26T10:30:00.003+02:00

My children have been watching me write this blog and have decided they would like to blog too. I don't want to track of 4 blogs, so their thoughts will be added to my blog entries. I am just going to be the scribe, so the thoughts might not be totally coherent. Here it goes:

Shea:

I went on a train all the way to Brugge and I had Belgium chocolate there. The Belgium chocolate here is really good. When we went back from Brugge I had Belgium chocolate with Lemon in it. It was quite good. We have been having a good time here. I hope my cousins come soon. Bye.

Hayden:
I liked the chocolate museum. I ate some chocolate there. It was good. I liked the pizza restaurant we went to. I like "Robin Hood" park (We call it that because it has so many trees around it and we don't know how to say the real name) and the water park (swimming pool) and the beach. I also like the Bloody Nose park. (Named because Hayden hit his nose HARD on part of the playground and it bled like crazy) I like the ice cream shop we go to downtown and waffles with a stream of sugar in them. but mostly the sugar part. I like the Belgium chocolate ALOT. The one we ate on the train. My favorite things that we have done is drive the boat on the canal.

Logan:
Our friend Ron came to visit and we went to the park and rented paddle boats. The paddle boats were dark greenish-brown. One person got to steer, two had to paddle and three could sit in the front. I got stuck with my Mom and Shea. Hayden got to go with Ron and Dad. We almost crashed into wood poles, but I steered us away. Ron and Dad crashed. Mom and I paddled over to the island and we saw little cute baby ducks. They had a red head, orangeish/yellow beak with a black body and feet. My mom took a video of the baby ducks. I did commentary, but we couldn't hear it very well. Our time was almost up and we had to pedal back to the dock. Shea wanted to pedal, so I let her sit on my lap. I still got to steer.

©ColleenFisher

Brugge by Train

2010-07-25T00:27:00.030+02:00

We chose to travel by public transportation and took our very first train ride: Destination Brugge. I heard more people speaking English there today than I have since I left America. Definitely a tourist town.. Met a teenager from Michigan who wanted to know if I knew where the dance parties were. Not quite sure what to think about that. I'm sure it is because I am so young and hip toting around 3 kid.

Our first and only planned stop was the Chocolate Museum. Not quite what we expected. We hoped to see well, more chocolate. We learned about the pods/ tree where the beans are grown and the entire known history. Saw teacups and frothers and molds Oh my. When we thought are trip was in vain, we finally saw a demonstration on how chocolate was made and got to try a small piece. Yeah. Success.

It was a toss up between taking a horse drawn carriage or a canal boat tour. All three children agreed on the canal boat tour through town. We were first on the boat and sat near the captain. He talked to Hayden and Shea the whole time and Hayden even got to drive the boat. Captain Hayden was so excited he specifically asked me to write about it on the blog.

Since Logan hasn't posed for many shot, I keep taking random photos of him and show him his funny looks. Today was no different until I said to him, "Go stand by that door." He walked over and pretended he was knocking on it. It gave us a good laugh. Just so Random. He is taking this move the hardest I think. It was nice to see him at ease and himself for a bit.

We walked to the Church of Our Lady which houses Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. (I didn't know that until the canal boat guide told us) At the chocolate museum there was even a replica of it, made of chocolate of course. All I thought was, "Another Mary and Baby Jesus". Little did I know the significance of this masterpiece, the only work of art to leave Italy while Michelangelo was still alive. And I thought I came to Europe to offer culture to my children. Apparently the Momma needs it just as much/more. The Church was closed and there was plastic and scaffolding around the entire tower so we didn't see the statue. But we really did though: If a chocolate replica counts. MMMmmm.

I debated writing about this next story, but it is my blog, so I am. The children were all pretty tired on the way home from Brugge. Logan and Shea were in the two seats behind me, attempting to sleep and Hayden was snuggling on Brent's lap directly in front of me. Brent and Hayden were talking about tickling and how weird it was that you can't tickle yourself. Hayden then said, "Dad, that's mostly true. The only place I can tickle myself is here." as he grabs himself between the legs. The German lady next to me starts dieing of laughter. I turn to her and say, "Sorry about that, he's a boy." She struggles to say, "It's ok" between uncontrollable giggles. Hayden immediately covers his face. It was just so innocent and funny. I don't want to forget the "little" things.

©ColleenFisher

Marco, Polo...Fisher out of Water? Yep!

2010-07-23T11:13:00.003+02:00

We have been here for a little over two weeks and stress and culture shock are rearing their ugly heads. I know, it is sooner than I thought too. It all started Monday...

A Little Background.

Like I have said before, we are living in a nice but small furnished home. The size will work for a year or so, but the price is astronomical. We have this place until the 15th of August and then we can extend if we want. We have been looking for other places to stay (cheaper).

We had a nice big home in the country lined up too, but it was in such a small town that we would need to buy a second car. The nice man was going to let us rent his car, but then decided he didn't want us on his insurance (smart move), so said he would sell it to us. Not something we anticipated doing. We let that option go.

We have found a few place for rent, but the way they do rentals here in Belgium is something definitely foreign. Homes/apartments are rented for a period of 3, 6 or 9 years. That's right YEARS. If you leave early you pay a penalty. If you leave after the 1st year, you pay 3 months rent in penalties. After the 2nd year, 2 months rent in panalties, etc. An "unfurnished" apartment does not come with a refrigerator (expected) or oven (unexpected).

Back to Monday.
I find a home that has a relatively good price. The kids and I meet the homeowners, little old man and lady. They speak very little English and I speak even less French, but they give us a tour and we get along ok. The son-in-law/agent shows up and we start talking about the house and the terms. Then the little old lady says in pretty good English, "You don't speak any French?". "No I don't" I say "But we are learning and the children have been accepted at the French speaking school in Hamme-Mille." "This no work for you. You cannot live here." Ouch. A little dose of discrimination. That kinda sucks.

Every house we have found that the price could work is already rented. We might just change our plans again. Stop stressing about where to live and what school our children will be accepted at and just enjoy the 3 weeks we have left in this truly scenic country.

©ColleenFisher

Downtown Leuven

2010-07-22T21:56:00.003+02:00

The kids and I walked downtown to find umbrellas today. We found some cool ground paintings that we had to jump into like Mary Poppins. The were right outside of Saint Peters Church. This one on the left is Shea and Hayden climbing the Stairway (ladder) to Heaven. The one one the right is of Shea and Hayden drinking out of the Holy Grail. Logan is refusing to be in photos at present.

The fountain of Wisdom. Please sir, can I have some more?

We also saw and amazing juggler. There really is just a lack of stripped, spandex wearing jugglers in the world. Logan told me the juggler said no photos, but this is just a KEEPER! Am I right ladies?

Other shots of Downtown Leuven:

©ColleenFisher

Hiking in the Rain

2010-07-21T21:21:00.003+02:00

Today was a Belgium National Holiday and Brent had work off. A nice surprise, so we went for a hike near a small village called Sint Agatha Rode. It stated to sprinkle as we set off and continued throughout our walk. We walk near fields of wheat and pastures of cows with short legs and huge muscle bodies.
Shea was so excited to see any kind of animals. Shea: "Mom, Did you see that old cow?" Me: "How do you know its old?" Shea: "Didn't you see it's face? It's grumpy."

Are little legs got tired, so we cut the hike short. We took a path less traveled in the forest, next to a wheat field, and on to the main road through town. Thank goodness for snacks. (The last picture is of Hayden taking "pictures" with his new rock camera that he found on the ground.)

©ColleenFisher

We're going to the church and we're gonna get scarred?

2010-07-19T21:55:00.003+02:00

Today we went on a walk about town. We walked by Sint-Geertruikerk (Saint Gertrude). (right) We also toured Sint-Pieterskerek (St. Peters Church) (left) where Dirk Bouts masterpieces,The Last Supper and the Martyrdom of St.Erasmus are. We saw a few other paintings, mostly of saints being martyred. Head being chopped off spewing blood, knives cutting throats, St. Erasmus getting his intestines pulled out. Logan looked up at me and asked, "Why did you take us here?". I thought for some culture, but apparently just to scar them.

Donated Glass, How thoughtful

2010-07-16T11:00:00.002+02:00

The recycling in Belgium is Ubber complex. First, you have to purchase specific bags at the grocery store that have a picture of Leuven on it. If your trash is not in these bags it does NOT get picked up. Second, different garbage/recycling come on different days of the week every other week, so if you forget to put your bag out you're stuck with it another 2 weeks. Blue is for plastic bottles, cans and milk type cartons. Green is for yard items, fruits and vegetables. Brown is for unrecyclable trash, the real trash. Third, once a month young children come by and collect paper products for their different organizations (these are not to be thrown in any other trash bag). Lastly, you take your glass bottles to specific glass recycling containers placed around town. This is a new system to me and a bit time consuming, but one I think is a worth while effort and am glad to do.

By yesterday we had collected quite a few glass bottles, so the kids and I went for a walk to deposit them. I found a green bin at the end of the main street and it had the recycle sign on it. There was also a picture of a child so I thought maybe this bin helped one of the youth groups. We opened the huge hinged lid. (kind of like a mail box) and dropped in our bag of bottles. Thud and the sound of broken glass. I thought, "Hmm, I guess this bin was just emptied". No big deal.

I went home and google translated one of the word on the bin. It was textiles. Yep, I think I just donated broken glass to a child, how thoughtful.

©ColleenFisher

Spinning Round and Round

2010-07-12T17:02:00.002+02:00

Today was kind of a sour day on this lemonade trip. We spent the afternoon at the city building trying to register as temporary residents. Apparently the Belgium Consulate and web site is a little off. We were told we, as a family, could "piggy-back" on Brent's work visa and information while staying here, but really we can't. We need our marriage license, birth certificates for children and a background check for me done, all authenticated by someone (Maybe the Leuitenent Governor in Utah like we had to do for Brent?) All good things to know before our arrival here. I had a month to wait around in Arizona. I do have the birth certificates. So, that was a bust.

On to the bank so we can get Brent's check deposited later this month and not pay anymore currency exchange charges. Maybe we will have better luck there. No can do. You can't create a bank account without your letter stating you are a resident of the city and the police coming to your door to verify that you live there. Craziness. I think I need a piece of Belgium chocolate for my headache (or maybe the whole box).

©ColleenFisher

Beach Trip

2010-07-11T21:35:00.001+02:00

Today we went to the North Sea, somewhere near Brugge. I remember from high school German class (which honestly I don't remember much from) that lots of Germans took Holiday there. I also remember thinking they were crazy. Sun bathing and swimming in the North Sea? Wouldn't they practically freeze to death? What fun is that? I found myself pleasantly surprised. The weather was wonderful. The water about as cold as the Pacific Ocean near California.

Mentioning California brings me to another point. I am thinking this kind of beach is my beach. I saw no abnormally sized breast and lipo-suctioned bodies. What I did see was that most of the people had cellulite and/or stretch marks. Normal looking bodies. I felt right at home in my bikini.

©ColleenFisher

Rocking Leuvan Parties

2010-07-09T23:33:00.004+02:00

Every Friday night in July the city blocks off their Markts (city centers) and sets up stages with bands rocking the night away. We visited three different stages and then one kid was tired, another had a tummy ache and the third wanted to go wee, wee, wee all the way home because he was bored. We just got home (11 pm) and the party is still going strong. That was our happening night.

©ColleenFisher

The coolest playground EVER.

2010-07-09T06:00:00.002+02:00

The people who we rent the house we are staying in suggested a park near their home that they thought the kids would like. We went and checked it out tonight. They sure know how to make the kids imaginations soar. We were there until the guards locked the gate at 9.

Ecohaus

©ColleenFisher

A New Day

2010-07-09T04:30:00.003+02:00

Brent got up early this morning to get some food from the bakery down the street. Bakery is still closed. Called a taxi to pick up Brent for work and to get our car. Kids are still asleep. No one grumpy yet. Phew. I join the kids back in slumberland and we are all still sleeping when Brent comes home after lunchtime.

We find a place called the Lunch Garden to eat. "Mom, we want breakfast". Sorry kids it's even past lunchtime and there is no Denny's in sight. Can't read much of the menu. This language barrier might be tougher than I thought. Settle on what looks like hamburger. Pretty safe. "We will take 4 hamburgers, fries and a small cup of soup." That is exactly what we got. Hamburger (no bun or fixings of any kind) next to a bed a fries. Ketchup is extra.

On to our next adventure. Grocery shopping. Normally I am pretty good. I have my scheduled menu and know what I need at the store. That is great when everything is in English and you can make your way around a store. My usual shopping trip of 30 minutes, took 2 hours and I am still not quite sure what we are having for dinner the next couple of nights. I need the software for the Minute Menu Plan done Yesterday!

©ColleenFisher

Now, Where did I Put that Panic Button!

2010-07-07T05:00:00.011+02:00

Surprisingly the flight from Phoenix to London went great. The layover was tolerable and the flight to Brussels just fine too. Arrived in Belgium early evening...1st stop, the bathroom with Shea. A sign on the door warning of child prostitution, no lie. Freaking Out a little bit. Walked out of the airport to find a taxi to take us to our new home. No taxis big enough to handle our crowd of five. Walked back into the airport. Asked every single rent-a-car place for a lease, none available. Went to the info desk, placed a call to a taxi service company. They had to call in the BIG van that fit 7. Phew.

Got to our rental house. Little, but cute. Found out that all the stores/restaurants around close at 8 pm.....past 8 pm, CRAP. Kids starving. Brent raids the owners cupboards and find rice and some sort of spinach dish. Try to serve to the kids. Guess they aren't that hungry after all. Go to sleep, we will get food in the morning. Everyone getting grumpy. "I hate Belgium" is already echoing of the walls. DOUBLE CRAP. Feeling paniced. Forgot to pack the panic button. CRAP, CRAP, CRAP. Got to go to sleep.

©ColleenFisher

Launch Date

2010-07-05T17:52:00.001+02:00

Last night I was laying in bed, feeling the realization that tomorrow is the day. I am excited, scared, nervous and just plain second-guessing this decision to move my family 1/2 way across the world. We have had a great time in Arizona this past month, especially my oldest. He does not want to leave his cousins. I feel his pain. Saying goodbye is just one of my least favorite words in the English dictionary.

But, after all is said and done, the reasons to go still outweigh the reasons to stay, as it is in any relationship. So I say, "Bring it on Belgium, I'm ready for you." (I think/hope)

20 Years! Has it REALLY been that long?

2010-06-20T21:26:00.002+02:00

This past weekend we went to St. George for Brent's 20 year High School Reunion. I met some wonderful people that Brent was friends with LONG ago. Just kidding. It was so fun, I might even go to my 20 year reunion.

During the "Main Event" the lights went off and Brent killed some time by telling incriminating stories of unsuspecting "victims" in the crowd. Hopefully that one couple, you know if you were there, are still married. If not, counseling might help.

On the Sunday after the reunion we went hiking at a park in St. George. Hayden is quoted as saying, "This park is like the Grand Canyon, but cooler." Score one for Grandpa and Grandma Fisher.

©ColleenFisher

The Grand Canyon-Can we just look at it from the window?

2010-06-19T20:58:00.044+02:00

Since we recently saw the 2nd major Arizona tourist attraction I thought I would take the children the main tourist spot, the reason Arizona is the Grand Canyon State, and see one of the 7 wonders of the WORLD. On the drive up I heard, "Mom, we've already seen the Grand Canyon". Yes it's true, they have...from the airplane. "Guys, it is so much more amazing from the ground, besides it's on the way to St. George anyways."

Six plus hours later we are pulling into the first lookout spot. Ok, this is kinda cool mom. (Of coarse I am playing it up with "breathe that fresh air and look at that little snake-like thing down there, that's the Colorado river." We climb the Watchtower and enjoy about 5-minutes more of looking and then we are off to the main visitor center.

About 1/2 hour down the road I hear the riots starting. The democratic system overthrows the MOMarchy. Ok, ok. How about we pull over at one more lookout and we are on our way. The vote is in. The decision made. We pull over and as I am driving up the little turnout Shea says, "Can we just look at it through the window?" Are you kidding me? Get your butts out of the car..at least one of us need some fresh air.

©ColleenFisher

Got the OK, but a Little Longer We Will Stay

2010-06-08T23:49:00.004+02:00

We are good to go. Just got word from work that we can leave, but we don't have our flights scheduled until July 5th. We don't want to spend a small fortune changing our tickets, so I will continue to enjoy the Arizona sun with the kids, while Brent is being my sugar daddy in Utah. :)
Thanks to Brent's sister Mikelle for letting him crash at her condo in Park City for a week and currently to some of our old neighbors/friends from Highland who are renting their basement to him for a month.

©ColleenFisher

Tombstone Trip

2010-05-24T02:35:00.003+02:00

While on pause, I have decided to introduce the children to a bit of Arizona's interesting history. Is there a better place to start than the infamously famous town of Tombstone, Arizona? I think not.

Upon arrival we head straight to the famous Boot Hill Graveyard to see the most famous headstone of Lester More. We are first stopped by the sign at the door. "Unruly and unaccompanied children will will be caught and sold as slaves. Signed Wyatt Earp" I catch a quick shot of the first three children I see.

It was after all, a three hour car ride! PHEW, I am glad it wasn't on a charted boat off the coast of Hawaii. We might have gotten into some trouble.

After seeing all those headstones of people shot, murdered or otherwise removed from this life, we decide to get some lunch...Yes, a little morbid, but we really were hungry.

By this photo you might think it was a good ole' western Saloon, but no it really is just a restaurant and that REALLY is Sasparilla my kids are drinking. Honest. What kind of a parent do you think I am.

After filling our tummies, we go check out some famous gun fight reenactments. One at a Gunfight show. The other at the O.K. Corral. Does this story ring a bell...ring-a-ling? The Earp boys, Doc Holiday and the Clancey Brothers.

My innocent children with guns. Alright, you can stay up late tonight and eat all the junk food you want!

Doc Holiday, the Earp brothers and Me(The one with the smallest mustache...What? I'm 1/4 Italian!)

My kids refused to take pictures with these guys. The other gunfight show must have been funnier...

After the photo op, we went for ice cream. (making good on my previous promise). We saw part of the Bird Cage Theater (famous brothel/play/gambling house), The Epitaph (Newspaper still printing today) and The WORLD'S LARGEST ROSE BUSH. Who knew it was in Tombstone. Just had to see it, and yes it cost $5.

After teaching my children their history lesson for the day, we were spent. How much can a young mind absorb in one day? Saloons, Gambling, Bar Brawls, Gunfights, Murder, Brothels, "Cribs", Prostitution and of course the Enormous Rose Bush. It can be overwhelming to a young mind. It was a very entertaining, educational and enjoyable day. Maybe I will start to home school......Not Likely.

©ColleenFisher

Delayed

2010-05-23T17:02:00.001+02:00

We had to reschedule our flight to Belgium pending a FBI background check. The new date of departure is July 5, 2010. Brent will be leaving for Utah today and staying at his sister's condo in Park City for the next month and I will be in AZ. with the kids at my parents. It is going to be a long month. It always is when you are away from the one you love. We are planning to meet in St. George for Brent's 20th high school reunion the middle of June. Here's hoping time flies....

©ColleenFisher

Almost There, but To Where?

2010-05-21T03:31:00.006+02:00

A Little Background

Approximately three years ago we made some financial investments that were going to be a great source of residual income. All went south within a matter of months. To help against these financial troubles and to keep our home, my husband started working 2 jobs He would work his regular 9-5 job, have dinner and some time with the kids and I, and then work his second job from 9 p.m.-2 a.m....sometimes longer.

We decided that he would work 2 jobs and I would do just about everything else. Our decision was based on the fact that he could probably make more than 2x's what I could and that anything I did make would just go to pay for daycare for our preschooler, during the school year and all three of the children during the summer months. I took care of the kids and 99% of the home stuff.

We tried working with our bank and modifying our loan, but the whole process was a complete joke. In September 2009, we hired a financial coach for help. The numbers were in. Enough was enough. The outlook was bleak for keeping our home. We listed our home with a realtor that specializes in short-sale properties. It is now the middle of May 2010, and we signed papers yesterday. The buyers will today and then our house, which was once OUR home will be a home for someone else.

As I reminisce about the last 6+ years I have had there, I feel a roller coaster of emotions. There were wonderful days and memories that bring a smile to my face and make me laugh out loud. Others, which honestly parts of me wishes to forget, but have made me who I am today, also are now held dear. I am grateful for those wonderful friends that were formed and will remain with me wherever I may roam. Let's face it. We live for those relationships that just are so real, that keep us going and from which we learn so much from, to love deeper and more true. They need no more explaining, they just are. Thank you to them for being a part of my life.

A Glimpse of the Future

Upon learning our home was approved for short-sale, we were given a suggestion from one of my husbands' co-workers. He was taking his kids to the company office in Ireland for the summer and said, "If my kids were your kids' ages, I would try and go for a year". That got us thinking. Why not? Our credit will be shot, we have to rent anyway...why not show our kids a little more of the world? So that is what we are doing.

This same company has an office in Belgium and we are working our way there. We have applied and are currently waiting for the work visa to go through and we will be off on an adventure, to a country where we don't speak either of the languages (Dutch and French) and know little of what to expect of our new life abroad.

This blog is about my life, rising again from the ashes like a Phoenix, attempting to making MY lemonade from MY lemons. Sit down, kick your legs up and have a nice cool glass. I hope you enjoy.

©ColleenFisher

Ice Skating at the Olympic Oval in Kearns

2010-03-30T18:26:00.001+02:00

©ColleenFisher

Logan's Chess Tournament

2010-03-30T18:25:00.001+02:00

On March 20th, Logan participated in the State of Utah Elementary Chess Tournament. He got 4.5 points, which means he won 4 games and 1 draw (tie) and lost 1 game. (Six total games played). He tied for 4th place in 5th grade. They break the tie by the members current chess rating and so Logan got 8th overall. He was on cloud 9! When he got his trophy he pumped the air. Way to go our little Rocky!

©ColleenFisher

Dineyland Adventures

2010-02-14T18:23:00.003+01:00

Every time we go to Disneyland we make a great memory. The 3rd time left the others in the dust.

First Trip February 2007

On our first trip we went to Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure for lunch. It just happened to be on Valentine's Day and if you've ever been there,the whole selling point is that the Disney Princesses make their way around this little room and visit you while your eating your plate full of processed food. Shea of course was excited to see all her "heros", but the best were the reactions of my boys.

Brent told Logan that if he kissed one of the princesses he would pay him $20. (At this time Logan was 8) Logan flatly refused, but with a red-face told the next visiting princess what his Dad had said. Cinderella put her finger next to the side of her face and said, "Well, it is Valentine's Day". She sat down and scooted closer to her nervous prey and planted one on him. Not everyone can claim they have been kissed by a princess and show proof.

(Logan the "tortured" boy)

Hayden was another story. No bribery, embarrassment, or inhibition, oh no. He knew he wanted to see Belle and ran into her arms. I though the princess was supposed to run into the prince's arms, but whatever.

Hayden and his princess

Shea was a little overwhelmed that the princesses where all real. She was nervous, but was excited to meet them all.

Shea and Ariel

Fisher Family with adopted son Mickey

Disneyland Take II (February 2009)

stay tuned...need to find the next photos

Third Times a Charm (Third trip February 2010)

All Personality

Started out with all personality. Having a great time as you can see. We bought the usual 3-day park hopper and then volunteered for the Give a Day, Get a Day program. (We helped pack food for people in need-had a great time with that as well) On our 4th day is when the normal became the "Ok, that's not going to happen again."

It was Logan's birthday and my nephew Johnathan flew over to celebrate with us. We got our free ticket and a cool pin that said Honorary Volunteers with a picture of Kermit and Miss Piggy that we could where all day in the park. Nice.

Two rides broke down. I know you're probably thinking LAME, but it was cool.

On Indiana Jones, we stopped right where Indiana Jones is hanging and the big boulder is gonna get us. We were sitting in the dark for 5 minutes or so and then the lights turned on. We got to see the big room and the track the boulder were on and kind of how it worked. We were just glad we weren't in the car behind us. They were stuck in the tunnel where the "natives" are shooting you with their arrows, also known as bursts of air.

The second ride was Splash Mountain. We were on one of the uphill when the ride broke. We waited for 10 minutes and then a Disneyland worker came and got us. We got to travel through the ride and into the "underbelly" of Disneyland. It looked like a regular machine shop back there. I told the family to turn around and took a picture. A wonderful "Mouseketeer" came over and ripped me a new one. Apparently, there were no photos in the Disneyland back lot. I apologized and I said I didn't know pictures were illegal. He told me it was at the beginning of my ride. Again, I apologized and said I didn't know this was part of my ride. I told him I would erase the picture and I did. Totally regret that. It would be nice to share.

The CRAZIES

The CUTIES

Lastly, we were walking on Main Street and some workers asked us what we did for our volunteer service and the asked us to be in the parade. That's right. We are celebrities now. Autographs later. We were on the float with Kermit and Miss Piggy. We all loved it. Before the parade started the kids got to ask questions. Of course it was Do you like ice cream? with bugs? Kermit said yes to both. The kids laughed uncontrollably. Good times. They wouldn't take our picture on the float, weird, so we did. Can't see the Muppets though.

Good Times, Good Times.....Johnathan kept saying, "This is the best day of my entire life!" My kids all agreed.

The next day our ride pulls up to take us back to the airport. Oh no. No loser taxi van for us celebrities. We now ride in style.

Yep. That's right. It's a pimped out stretch Limo. Johnathan kept saying, "We're in a limo, we're in a limo".

That's right, Whose the favorite Aunt now?!

Once again, Good Times, Good Times.