Snowy Sunday

France has been experiencing some snow the last few days. For many parts of the country this is not a common occurrence. It makes the news in a BIG way (even though I think we have about 4-5 inches). I know living in a cold climate like MN means that by the beginning of January everyone is over winter and ready for spring. However, living somewhere that snow is uncommon and most of the winter is grey and gloomy, snow is a welcomed sight (at least for me). I couldn't resist capturing it in a few pictures (MN girl at heart)!!!

A big wintery greeting upon stepping out the door

Walking to the station and attempting to make snowballs

Public transportation is a good option on days like these (Even if there are delays)

The house on the corner, looks even more enchanting with a fresh coat of snow

 Thankful for a little piece of MN with me here in France today!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Jack

Today would mark the 75th birthday of my Grandpa Jack. It's hard to believe that this is already the 2nd birthday he will be celebrating in heaven.

Grandpa, I am sure you are taking full advantage of an amazing bowl of ice cream to celebrate your day! I hope you can feel my love and hugs all the way from France.

There are many times that I would love to call you up just to hear your voice and what I wouldn't do for one of your amazing bear hugs! You were the best! Thank you for always being in my corner and I am lucky to have a guardian angel as magnificent as you! I hope that I continue to make you proud.
xoxoxo Lynn

Summer 2010

Dancing at our wedding

Here is the post I wrote about Grandpa Jack when he gained his angel wings.

Wanting a baby

As James and I recently passed our 2nd wedding anniversary it isn’t surprising to anyone that we frequently get asked about having babies. It’s a natural question in the sequence of life, you get married then people wonder if you are going to start (or add) to your family. The quick answer for us is that we do want a baby(and I can hear my clock ticking). The longer, more complicated answer follows.

My work in France is not a full-time position. I am working more than one job but I do not have full-time status with any company. This means a few things, my income is inconsistent and not guaranteed from month to month and my benefits related to maternity are not as generous or maybe non-existent (we don't know for sure). This presents the first barrier and huge area of stress.

How do we have a baby when I am unsure of what I can contribute financial (and if I am not working that could be very little to none)? This seems to be the biggest barrier. Additionally,  my daily commute is a minimum of 3 hours, and that is on a good day. James tends to work most evenings during the week so how do we figure out childcare with such sporadic schedules? Then add in the scary, unknown factor of a foreign medical system(for me) and this stresses me out too.

It’s difficult to have an idea of how life "should" go, what we think it will look like at a certain point and then find out it isn’t always easy to make it happen that way. Some days, I wish my personality didn’t include being such a worry-wart and trying to make responsible choices. I know that James and I have a track record of facing unknown and challenging barriers and then succeeding. I hope that this will continue to be true in regards to this.

When I envision being a Mom I see a person who is excited (more like THRILLED) to be expecting and feels as confident as possible about bringing a new life into this world and being able to provide for that little person. I know that there is no "perfect" time to have a baby but unfortunately due to the things mentioned above it feels like this is not a good time or responsible decision. I don’t want to say that things would be so different or easy if we were in the same situation in the states. However, I have a large support network of family and friends there. I know how to navigate the systems.

Others may say, “what can we do to help?'” Say a little prayer, send out positive energy into the universe, ask the job fairies to find me a job that gives us a more secure income and good benefits, or just be a listening ear when I am frustrated or sad that this situation is very difficult. I have seen James as a Dad, he is an amazing one! Don’t even get me started on what it’s like to see him with a baby!!  I have always thought and felt in my heart that I was meant to be a Mom, I just have to believe that it will all work out. Besides, wouldn’t we make a REALLY cute baby?!

Change of plans and a Sunday stroll

So, as I mentioned in the previous post, the plan was to go to Lyon this past weekend for a wedding. That didn't happen! On Friday afternoon, while I was still at work, James text me to tell me that the wipers in the car completely stopped working. This is a significant problem prior to a 6 hour drive (one way) in a country that is rainy all-of-the-time in the winter!

 He tried to find a solution to have this fixed quickly but it was not possible. So, a few phone calls were made to family to notify them of this unfortunate event, we unpacked our fancy, ironed clothes and spent the weekend at home.

We made the best of the weekend and celebrated the "Galette des Rois." (My first experience with King's Cake was documented here last year).

Audray was crowned the queen by finding the figurine in her piece of the cake.

Queen for the day

The prized figurine

That resulted in these sad faces.

Sad non-royalty members of the family

 James and I enjoyed a long walk in the city on Sunday afternoon. He allowed me to look like a tourist while I took some pictures (I would like to explore photography a bit more this year).

Here are some of the (random) pictures of that afternoon stroll.

Fun book tree at the local bookstore

The "fancy" hotel with fun outside decor

Citrus wagon, who wouldn't want one of these?

I can picture a few lil boys that would have fun with this

The cathedral is being cleaned, you can see the area that has been done in contrast to the area that hasn't

My cute "prisoner" for the afternoon

An area we have walked by many times but never noticed this bell until today

One of the garden areas of the cathedral

My obsession with doors continues...

Isn't this the classic style of lights we see in all movies shot in Paris?

A colorful window display of soda

Christmas Part II

 Last night we were able to finally celebrate Christmas with the girls. I arrived home with Audray to find James and Maëlle prepared for our arrival-all lights were off except the Christmas tree and there was Christmas music playing. They had prepared an apéritif (drinks and snacks) and were so excited to begin the evening.

We shared conversation over our drinks and then began to open the gifts, starting with the stockings. Everyone, including myself were VERY happy with how generous Santa had been to us. The girls absolutely loved all of their new clothes from Grandpa and Grandma Lutzi. The following pictures is a small glimpse into all of the fabulous-ness!!!

An amazing necklace made by the talented Marcie Jane Designs

This guy loves him some Under Armour and is spoiled with it thanks to his in-laws

New docking station for Iphone/Ipad

This shirt says it all

 

 

 

Loving the new clothes from the US

Dan, Krista, and E...Thanks so much for the fancy lotion and body wash

2 new jackets=love

After the gifts were open there was a dance party and a fashion show.

Feeling very, very spoiled and blessed to be showered with gifts, but more importantly feeling so very loved. The following are a few of my absolute favorite items.

My amazing necklace from my parents. Made by my favorite jewelry designer Marcie Jane Designs(pics are hers). She also designed and made the jewelry for our wedding. Marcie, if you are reading this sending a big hug your way!!!

Capes are all the rage in France and I am so excited to have one :)

A fun sculpture that doubles as a jewelry holder

Maybe not a great look for the fashion police but they loved everything so much that they couldn't put enough things on at the same time :)

New slippers for everyone

We ended the evening with a great meal and some of the holiday treats I had saved for the girls arrival. It was a wonderful end to our Christmas 2012 celebration.

The tree feeling a bit lonely now

 Tomorrow we depart for a family wedding in Lyon, France. It will be my first wedding experience here. Looking forward to it (but not so much the 5-6 hour drive)!

Christmas Eve 2012

Christmas Eve was spent with James' family. We started the night off with a church service. It didn't meet my expectations as I LOVE the candlelight Christmas services with lots of music that I am used to in the states!

After church everyone returned to "La Musse," the name given to the family house (loosely translates to somewhere you can hide, which I understand because it's a big house in the country).

It had super fun decorations drawn on the windows of the room we use as the dining space.

 The tradition is that everyone lines up in the basement from youngest to oldest. When the green light is given they enter the main level of the house and find their gifts and wrapping paper flies.

James sitting with his Dad as he opens some gifts

The shirt we gave him, looks good

The children then sat down to eat while the adults enjoyed some appetizers and wine.

James closely inspected the bottle :)

Dinner was similar to the Christmas dinner I shared with them all last year. It consists of some traditional French Christmas cuisine: smoked salmon, foie gras, and oysters.

Smoked Salmon, my favorite of the 3

Foie gras, eaten on small toasted bread

Oysters, eaten with a squeeze of lemon juice

Like most families, everyone brings a dish to contribute to the meal. Last year we brought dessert, which consisted of some traditional Christmas goodies that I would make in the states with my mom and family. I was able to make them last year as I had some ingredients here in France. They were a HUGE hit and as a result we are to bring dessert to E-V-E-R-Y family get together now (no pressure).

This Christmas was no different, however, I was greatly lacking in my stock of ingredients. The following are some of the items I made for this Christmas. I made 6 different things, most of which have NOTHING to do with Christmas but they are "American" and therefore I am good to go. The sprinkles were sent to me by my mom and they were the saving grace to make things look Christmas-like.

Special K bars with Christmas Sprinkles

No idea what the actual name of these are...marshmallows rolled in caramel and then chocolate rice krispies

A new no-bake made with rice krispies, mini marshmallows, peanuts, white chocolate, peanut butter and of course CHRISTMAS SPRINKLES

Rice Krispies with food coloring and sprinkles

The vote is that the dessert was amazing again and many of the adult nieces and nephews stocked up on the extras to take home with them!

In addition to great food, the evening consisted of lots of laughter and cheer. Normally everyone spends the night but we had to leave because James had to work ALL of Christmas Day. So we stayed as long as possible (3:30 a.m.).

We are celebrating our Christmas this evening since both of the girls are here. I can't wait to see wait Santa brought me!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!