Move Over Mary Lou...

Sophia at her weekly gymnastics class... We had a rough beginning with an occasional bad attitude and the lack of desire to participate hidden under the mask of "shyness" but the week before last my proverbial - and sometimes whiny - wall flower bloomed into quite the happy participant. It has been great for her french (and mine too!).

And the patient and smiley brother and sister who hang out on the sidelines with Mom while Sophia plays.

Do They Really Not Shave Their Armpits?

Ok, so now that I have caught your attention... :)

Tonight I went out to a yummy Italian restaurant for dinner with some girlfriends. Two of the ladies are French and the others mostly American. There has been an ongoing discussion about how the French view Americans and vice versa. Rachel, one of my fabulous new French friends, interviewed a bunch of French people and asked them to not think at all just give her the first word that comes to mind when they think about America or Americans. I wanted to share with y'all because some of the responses are hilarious.. some absolutely right on... and some make you wanna say "hmmm". I found it rather fascinating, as well. I was a little surprised to see how well they do know America. Although, it shouldn't be too surprising given how inundated the French are with American culture on TV and the radio.

We would like to interview our American friends and see what their responses are regarding France and/or the French.. again, not thinking too hard.. just first word that comes to mind be it positive or slightly less than positive. You will feel better about whatever may come to mind after you read some of the responses! :)

Please post your response as a "comment" on this blog post. Thanks so much for participating!

From the French on Americans:

Top 12 in order of most responses to least (these all received > 1 response):

Burger
Hollywood and Cinema
Obama
Liberalism
Statue of Liberty
War
New York
Cowboy
Uncle Sam
Dollar
Big Spaces
Bush and "Bush'isms"

Responses from just 1 person:

interventionism
Guantanamo
Mexican immigration
Porno (This one CRACKS me up because you can turn on television at 8pm and see things that would NEVER be shown on regular TV in the States.. not even mentioning the billboards here up in broad daylight)
Success story
Patriotic
Religious
Imperialist
American Football
Fat Obesity
Buildings
Biometric
Gangs
Google
Baseball
Empire State Building
Guns
Lafayette (Be honest, do you know how Lafayette played a part in US History? Don't feel bad, I was just very American and, not recalling exactly myself, googled it! http://xenophongroup.com/mcjoynt/lafy-4.htm)
Vietnam
Christopher Columbus
Union Jack
Yes we can! (This one is pretty right on.. it is even scripted on Bob the Builder)
Yellowstone
Blues
Abraham Lincoln
Neil Armstrong
Woody Allen
The freedom after WWII (La Liberation - The Liberation as it is called in France)
contradictory
marinated steak (Scratching my head at this one...)
"mani-pedi" - (Practically non-existent here.. I haven't had a mani-pedi in almost a year. SO SAD!)
"have a greeaatt dayyy!!" (Left out ... y'all!)
victoria's secret
cross-over (vehicles?)
Brooklyn
Loft
imbreeding (nice)

How many of you first thought "French Fries?" :) Thanks so much for joining in.

Oh, and after living here for almost a year, I don't know the answer to that title question yet (and not sure I really want to). Let me get to know my French friends a little better and maybe I will ask. :)

HAVE A GREEAATTT DAAYY Y'ALLL!

Memory Lane

Emily - aka Chubs

Emily Claire
Spring 2008

Emily - somewhere around 6 months

Sophia and Aunt Janet - Myrtle Beach 2008


Emily - Myrtle Beach 2008


Sophia - Emily - Canon - Beach 2008

Emily -Fall 2008

Emily - Fall 2008 Soccer Game

Winter 2008 Greenville

Can you believe it is already almost the middle of November? I know time appears to go by faster the older you get but this is ridiculous. If it goes by this fast now, what will one year feel like when I am 80? It will be such a small fraction of my life. According to my Sophia, how could I ever be 80 when 31 is so OLLDDD. Ah... to be 3 and 1/2. The simple fact that she is almost 4 is stunning to me. Stunning and sad. I am mourning no more Page babies but it is mixed with other emotions like looking forward to the fun times in our family's future with the children older and easier to travel with. Joshua is changing into such a little boy... there is nothing preschoolish about him anymore. He is still a rambunctious ball of energy and sometimes we do jumping jacks and sit-ups in the den to release some of that energy but he is blossoming into such a person. Sophia has become a tremendous help to me. Three little children = lots of tasks to complete and she has taken upon herself to help me with taking care of Emily without even having to be asked! The last part is what makes me stand stunned in our hallway when I see that she is brushing Emily's teeth for me after breakfast or meticulously (alright... a little bit obsessively) making both of their beds and folding the blankets. She will decide to clean up the playroom and then says she knew it would help me. Who is this child? I love it! Granted, I am a little worried that she has some obsessive compulsive tendencies but, at this point, I will take it. Emily's vocabulary is growing each day and I love the way her eyes light up when she sees me and she yells "Mommy!" while grabbing and walking figure 8s around my legs. I like sleeping with her and waking up to her poking me in my eyeballs or sticking her fingers up my nose. Bless her heart, she is clearly still in the "very rough around the edges" phase as we have many training opportunities during the day. I forget how fun and challenging the two's are. The issues are so clear though and easy to discipline as long as I am not being lazy. Joshua and Sophia have entered the manipulation phase along with a little lying, sassiness and other behaviors that I find more difficult to parent through.

There was a particular issue today where it was so clear to me afterwards that we made the right choice of discipline. Sometimes I am left wondering if I made the right choice, sometimes if my lack of choice was right (usually no) and if any learning took place. I was searching through their mound of dirty clothes (stupid slow washing machines - yes, I am bitter :-) and, about 1/3 of the way down, my hand picks up a pair of damp Spidey undies. Honestly, in my frantic hunt for a pair of undies for Sophia, so she doesn't have to wear Joshua's spiderman undies for the 5th day in a row, I toss them into the pile to be washed. A few seconds later it dawns on me that wet 5 year old underwear usually means something not so good so I investigate and, sure enough, it was not an incident with a mud puddle or the sprayer in the kitchen sink. So, I confront little J.

- Josh, did you have an accident.
- No.
- Really? Hmm... well, it sure smells like it?
- Well, um, yeah I peed just a little.
- What do you mean you peed just a little?
- Well, um.
- Josh, did you not make it to the potty? Where did you pee.. I need to know so I can see if I need to clean something else up.
- Well, it happened before my friends came over the other day.
(WHAT? That was Wednesday! Keep cool... keep cool)
- Why didn't you tell me you had an accident? You know that is lying Joshua?
- Well, um, I just didn't think you would care.. I didn't think it would be difficult for you?
(Gee thanks for being considerate)
- Josh, the reason you didn't tell me was because you were afraid of the consequence.
- No, really, I just didn't think it would be hard for you since I took them off and got my new underwear all by myself.
- Josh, the consequence of you having an accident - that is very unlike you - would not be as severe as the consequence of you lying to me. This is lying - intentionally not telling me something to avoid punishment is lying. Go to the bedroom.

I am second guessing myself the entire time. I know, seriously, my son lies to me twice, really, and I am second guessing myself as to if he needs to be punished. What is wrong with me? Thank God for husbands. I run the situation passed Freddie and without blinking he is like "Yes, you need to give him a consequence... "chastise him" to use a good friend's terminology. Joshua was chastised and we talked and prayed and it was one of the sweetest moments of correction and reconciliation that I have had with him. It reminded me of why we should be disciplining our children. It isn't simply for behavior modification.. that has its place and is absolutely necessary but it is also for those teachable moments where you can share scriptures of God's expectations for our behaviors - where it isn't simply "because Mom said so". You can get to the bottom of why we behave the way we do.. especially when it comes to lying... and why in the moment it seems so right but in the end is so wrong. You can pray and ask for forgiveness from the Lord and receive that sweet forgiveness where you can start over fresh. It is just as much a moment to commune with the Lord for me as it is for Josh. These are opportunities for me to show our children our need for a Savior. Sometimes during our prayer I am asking for forgiveness too! It is a chance to lead our children to the cross. I first heard that from Grace Church's teachers and it really resonated with me. It makes the gospel very real to our kids. In addition, it reaffirms it for me.

Now that I think about it, childrearing and marriage have been the most sin revealing and sanctifying experiences of my life. Well, those and moving to a foreign country with three young children. My own sin is revealed to me daily. Some behaviors I have never even noticed and then after a conflict or some experience it will become crystal clear to me. I have heard this before but I wonder if God, in his own perfect timing, reveals these issues to you a little at a time so as to not completely depress you with your own depravity. You all know... I used to not be a believer, but now there are many truths that point to a real God and a need for Jesus as our Savior, and one of the biggest to me has been humanities (self's, specifically) sinfulness. I sin even when I am doing something that on the outside would be perceived as good! It is absolutely stunning to me. I hear a lot and used to say it myself "But, but, but.. I am a good person!". No, really, you are not. We may not have killed or stolen from someone but on a daily basis we are all selfish, prideful, angry, jealous, and full of fears.

At the end of our very hectic days, I am so thankful for a God who loves me. A God who gives us guidance on how to be good spouses, mothers, friends and children. A God who forgives us when we fail. A God who blessed me so undeservedly, and even through initial sinful circumstances, a loving husband and three incredible children.

Now, if they would just stop growing up so quickly (and Clemson will win tonight against FSU... AMEN).

And.... for posterity...

Three words to describe Joshua on November, 7th 2009 - loving, sensitive, energetic.

Three words to describe Sophia on November 7th, 2009 - serious, articulate, helpful.

Three words to describe Emily on November 7th, 2009 - entertaining, cute, stubborn

Freddie and Baby Sophia - around 2 weeks old - 2006

Sassy Sophia - sometime in 2008

Sophia and Josh - 2008

Fall 2008 Greenville

Fall 2008 Greenville

Halloween 2008

Sophia - Aunt Sandy's Fall 2008


Aunt Sandy's 2008


The cousins - Sandy's 2008


Joshua - Soccer game 2008

December 2008 - Columbia, SC
Right before move to France -
About 15 lbs ago (dang you croissants and pain au chocolat!!!)
And off to see A Christmas Carol!

Halloween 2009

Halloween is not nearly as big of a celebration as it is in the US. Nevertheless, the Americans brought Halloween to France. My friend Bene and I miraculously whipped up a party in a week and created many wonderful memories with our friends and family. She lives in a little town outside of Clermont-Ferrand called Aubiere. In Aubiere, there were Halloween festivities in the quaint downtown area complete with a costume contest, music, fire breathers, candy and a dancing on the rooftop skeleton. Our friend's son, John, created some competition for him with his rendition of the moonwalk to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". We all walked and tricked or treat along the way to the downtown party then returned to Bene's for some old fashioned bobbing for apples and other fun games and yummy food. Emily tuckered out upstairs around 8pm but Joshua and Sophia were running around full force until 10:30pm! They crashed before we ever left their driveway around 11. Many thanks to my sweet friend Bene and her husband, Scott, for hosting a fabulous monster bash at her home. Here are some photos, compliments of my dear friend Kim, of our evening...

Matthew and Kim Cabe as Fred and Wilma

Joshua as.. well, we aren't really sure. Scary walrus monk?

My cute little pumpkin... Sophia.


Hey.. I think you stole a piece of my candy!


John the Rock Star bustin' a move.

And... drum roll.. the ever so creative Clemson fans!! Whoo hoo! Go Tigers! :)

Cervolix - Festival of Wind and Kites

The family took a field trip to the Plateau Gergovie to attend the Cervolix festival - celebrating the wind and kites. We were worried the weather wasn't going to cooperate but the rain held out long enough for us to see fabulous kites, fly slightly less fabulous kites, observe remote control planes zipping through the sky, watch helicopters hover nearby and chat with friends and for the kids to jump and flip around on this little trampoline/bungee cord contraption thingy (I am technical term challenged). I am pretty certain I have never heard before the giggles of glee that erupted from my children as they were catapulted into the air attached to bungee cords. I was presented a bouquet of beautiful purple and white wild flowers that Joshua says is for my forever marriage. Not sure where that came from but it did open up an opportunity to talk about marriage and that it is forever which THEN spawned the questions from Josh and Sophia of would we be married in heaven and if we would see each other in heaven and if we would get to meet God there. Pretty deep stuff... I deferred to Freddie often.

It was lots of fun! I told the kids it has to be in at least the top five memorable events of their lifetimes.

Fun Facts about the Plateau Gergovie:

The Gergovie plateau (744 m) is located 6 km south of Clermont-Ferrand ***. This place is famous because this is where the battle took place between troops Arvernian led by Vercingetorix and the Roman troops led by Caesar. The Roman Empire there was soundly defeated in 52 BC. J-C. The Arvernian were a Gallic tribe living in the Massif Central. They were very powerful and very numerous in comparison with other peoples of the same period. They bequeathed their names to the Auvergne region, which means "those who are above" ... Their capital, Gergovie was placed next to Clermont. There are several readings of the writings found and excavations carried out, some dispute the location of the Battle of Gergovie; Napoleon III ruled in 1865 officially recognizing the plateau Gergovie as site of this battle is legendary. A memorial, topped by a winged helmet, was dedicated. The excavations have found traces of an ancient Gallic oppidum, fortified area was used as well as walls, coins, silver and bronze, etc..

The stunning view.

Da planes! Da planes!

The kids loved seeing the little model planes take off and fly.

The monument commemorating the battle.


The kids pre-jumping... sweet girl on the right the daughter of a friend. They look a little less than thrilled here (I think Josh thought I was cramping his style) but they were pumped and had no idea what they were getting themselves into.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

My little gymnast.


Just to give you some idea of how high up they were.


This picture makes me smile.. she was sooo ecstatically happy!


We had the field (sheep poop and all) all to ourselves... lets go fly a kite!


Emily is more interested in the mud and weeds... she had so much fun exploring.

I am not sure what I am doing here... Sophia has the kite in her hands and I am sending it "please don't crash the ground vibes"!!! (You can see the professional kites way in the background)

Fear Not

Nine months of waiting (and puking and waddling and sleeping excessively) culminates on the day your sweet baby is born. After hours of panting and pushing, this preciously helpless creature is handed over to you with no instruction manual. No alarm clock that dings when it is time to be fed. No magic formula to console the poor little thing and help him to stop crying incessantly at three o'clock am. What car seat should I purchase to ensure my child's safety? Five point harness? Three point harness? One that cost $350 or the one that costs $150? Surely the one that cost a fortune is safer, right? LATCH system? Oh no, my car doesn't have a latch system.. surely my child is destined for destruction. It is safest for your child to be in the center seat. But, I have three children and one back seat.. someone is going to be near the window. Oh dear. Worry. Worry. Worry. No clear direction on what to do when your child turns two and stomps her chubby little baby feet in a clear display of dissatisfaction when you tell her she can't play with markers and color all over your white chair cushions (never mind that you should never own white chair cushions and a two year old at the same time) or dumps her mashed potatoes defiantly on the floor. What exactly should you do when he comes home in tears because someone laughed at him and spoke harsh words? What should you do when he comes home and shares that HE laughed at some one and called names? Parenting has, without question, been the hardest endeavor I have ever taken on. The unknowns and questions are endless and the clear answers, rare. Whenever this unique combination surrounds a particular circumstance, fear invades our hearts and minds. So, what now?

We have two choices. We can be debilitated with our fear and worry. We can allow the enemy a point of entry into our minds to take our focus away from the Lord and all things true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8). Or, we can take this opportunity to turn our focus to the Lord... to have faith and trust... finding Him in his Word while seeking his will and praying without ceasing. It is when we do this, that the peace of the Lord which transcends all understanding will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).

Before I was a believer, I did not believe in absolute truth. How could I, right? The only standard I had to live by was the world's and it is obviously ever changing. The standard of right and wrong depends on what decade you are referring and who in that decade you are talking to. When I began a relationship with Jesus, I realized that there is absolute truth. There is right and there is wrong. There are also Godly guidelines to living and, Praise the Lord (that is worthy of shouting from the rooftops again and again), child rearing. Not that I never have doubts or worry about my children. Actually, for me personally, it is quite the opposite.. the area of fear and worry - thus, lack of faith - is one of my largest sin issues. But, I now know where to go to find truth.. to find the answers and, as a result, finding the peace of the Lord. It is found in the Bible.

When the feeling of the Lord's peace washes over me, there is nothing I am fearful of.. even death. The words of Paul resonate with me - "To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil 1:21). The other morning at breakfast we were talking about birthdays and Sophia, always thinking her birthday is right around the corner, was talking about what she wanted for her birthday because it was next. Reluctantly, I reminded them that it was yours truly's 31st birthday that was coming up next, then Emily's, THEN sweet Sophia's. "THIRTY-ONE!" Sophia exclaimed. "Wow, you're almost DEAD!......... But, that's ok Mom. Because you will go to heaven and I will go to heaven TOOOO!"... said with a smile.

"Do not fear, for I am with you" (Isaiah 41:10).

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulnes, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22).