Why would anything work the first time in France?

Nothing, nothing works the first time in France. Even my blog from our computer here... So this is a test post...

Lessons Learned

Bonjour from Paris! We made it to Paris finally. I flew over last night with the kids and my mother-in-law was kind enough to join us. The kids were very glad to have their grandmother "Gee" with them, but not at much as me as we did not have all four seats together. Gee and I played man to man switching out the kids partially through the flight. James did great on the airplane - he was very excited and kept asking questions. Mary Martin was fine until it was time to go to sleep, which she refused to do until about 11:30 pm. Then she and I slept for about an hour before a 30 minute screaming fit, where nothing would comfort her. Other mommies on the plane were even offering me their child's milk bottles to sooth her. And this was all from our two interior seats in a four seat row - that's right - we had to crawl over someone every time we got up no matter which direction we headed. So, all in all, not my favorite flight but we did make it safely. Plus - ALL of our eight checked bags made it. Big surprise for Air France.

Jim was of course overjoyed to see us. The kids were estatic. They have refused to be out of Jim's presence since we got here. We hit morning rush hour traffic coming from the airport and so we were in the car for quite a while. MM finally drifted off to sleep in her daddy's arms. Much better than my arms at 11:30 pm I guess.

Once at the apartment we explored a bit at home and set up some trains. We all crashed for a couple of hours and then went out for lunch. The kids were so cranky we took them to McDonalds. I feel like we are cheating hitting McDonalds on the first day but some normalcy for the kids is good I think.

After McDonalds we hit a grocery store at the Monoprix (like super Target but smaller). It was a grand adventure. Lots of different sections. I wanted to make spaghetti and meatballs, something easy for dinner but we kept hitting different pasta sections. So the grocery seems to be a bit haphazard at least to my eye. But we got some fresh fruit for the kids and chicken nuggets and juice. Everything else can wait. We DID NOT get bananas. I was supposed to weigh them myself in produce but failed to. Lesson learned.

After the grocery run we came home to put our groceries away and then headed to the park near our apartment. Parks are universal. The kids just jumped right in and hit the slides, the sand pit and had a ball. Then we headed home to our gourmet french meal of spaghetti and meatballs and salad. Hey - we are all pooped - I am just proud I cooked anything with 1 hour of sleep and a 2 hour nap. We did stop and get a bageutte - so very, very French. Who loved the baguette the most? James Aubrey!

MM enjoyed it as well but literally was falling alseep at the table while we finished dinner. See her photo about. She is already in bed and I am soon as well. Sorry if I am rambling a bit, need some sleep.....

I wrote this four days ago, hoping to publish it right away. Technical difficulties have kept me from posting until today so here it is, four days late. Will try and get a new post in soon.

Paris Adventure back on

Paris is back on. My little superstars are so excited they are seeing stars. The potential merger with the company based in Denver fell through so we are back to the original plan of living in Paris. Whew! What a rollercoaster...

This week has been full steam ahead. We have applied to three bilingual schools in Paris for James. We have been searching for properties and lined up temporary housing for a month or so, until our permanent housing is ready. We have started the process for opening a French bank account. Jim and I fly to Paris on Saturday so we can have a couple of days to look at apartments and houses to rent and visit some schools. James and Mary Martin will go to grandparent camp for the week. I will fly back on Thursday to collect the kids and finish the packing process. Jim will stay in Paris and start working!

I learned today the furniture will take four to six weeks to arrive after packing it up. Hello - an empty house with no beds and no toys for four to six weeks?!?!?! No, no, no. Anyone up for grandma camp for four to six weeks? Maybe fun aunt and uncle week? Any takers?

In the meantime, we are still preparing the house to sell or rent. The painters, the yard guy and one of the painter's Pomerians were all here today to do some general clean up and repairs. Total choas at home. The best part? The Pomerians' name is Booger.

So Paris is back on with a little help from our friend Booger...

Eight years

Eight years ago yesterday, I slipped on my dream wedding gown and married my dream guy. To celebrate, here are eight reasons (among many!) why I love my dream guy:

1. His infectious laugh.

2. He taught our son to hold the door for the "ladies." And yes, James says, "wait mommy, we have to hold the door for the ladies."

3. He sent me the stunning flowers you see above because we could not be together this anniversary.

4. He instituted Sunday family movie night, complete with popcorn.

5. He encourages me when I am down or scared.

6. He lets me watch Pride and Prejudice anytime it is on TV and has taken me to see Harry Connick, Jr. three times!

7. He took me to Ireland for my 30th birthday (photo above) and Italy after our wedding.

8. He gave me James and Mary Martin, and they both have his laugh.

James' 4th Birthday Party!

On Saturday, we celebrated James' 4th Birthday Party at the Southeastern Railway Museum. The "train museum" as James calls it, is a large train yard where they have over 50 train cars and engines. There is a real diesel engine that you ride in and dozens and dozens of cars and engines to crawl through and explore. Most of my pictures of James were running away from me to explore more cool stuff!

We had friends from James' old class, his new class as well as some neighbors. After we all rode on the train, we got to eat cake in a real boxcar and everyone seemed to love it. The pinata didn't open correctly, but the kids got the candy out so they didn't notice. The highlight of the event would have to be the extremely blue icing from the Thomas cake that turned everyone's mouths blue. See picture of Uncle Darrell above... Priceless. Enjoy!

Paris Adventure?

This was my first week as a housewife. A Parisian housewife in training. I spent Monday running errands to get my household back in order: cleaners, jewelry store for a new watch battery (essential), bank, car title (long story). On Tuesday I spent three glorious hours shopping like I haven't shopped in years. I had gift cards from Macy's and Ann Taylor and without children hanging on me or having to hurry home before children woke from their naps. And I was able to gloat, "I am moving to Paris and about to become a stay at home mom. I need some casual clothes but still cool enough for Paris. Can you help me?" The girl at Ann Taylor Loft "got it" immediately and helped me create some cute but casual outfits - all of which are perfectly washable should I be thrown up or spilled on.

Then off to Brooks Brothers to brag on my husband. "We are moving to Paris, where my husband got a new job. He has been business casual for years but will now need suits." The reaction, everywhere, is the same, how exciting! How fantastic! Congratulations!

And then we got a call about Denver. Yes, Denver, Colorado. I can't disclose much but lets use these words: merger... headquarters probably in Denver...

Literally, Jim told me this in the middle of the Brooks Brothers where my new friend Bob, who will totally wear pink button down shirts under suits but understood when I explained that husband probably wouldn't, was still completing my transaction.

Well what now!?!?

I won't explain all the details but information has come rapidly and often. And is likely to change again. Because the likely merger means the new company will likely be based in Denver, it make no sense to move our family to Paris for just a few months. But Jim's new company needs him now. So the plan, for now, is that Jim will commute to Paris or wherever they need him for a couple of weeks. For example he leaves for Paris tomorrow night and will stay until Thursday evening. Then he will be home for a weekend and then off to New York the next week. We totally needed the suits by the way...

And where will the rest of our little family be? Well in Atlanta for now. We will pursue selling the house in Atlanta and see where that gets us. If we sell the house quickly we might relocate to Paris, temporarily. Or Denver. Or stay in Atlanta for a few weeks and then relocate to Denver.

Or the deal may fall through and we might move to Paris after all.

So our Paris Adventure has earned a question mark at the end of it. What I know is the Jim will have a job, will continue to have a job, and his boss needs him ASAP. Good place to be, we all agree. The "details" of where we will live, where James will go to school in the fall, whether we are admitted to practice law in Colorado at all - details, just details and not likely to be resolved anytime soon. So my marching orders, for now, stay flexible for a couple of weeks and investigate selling the house. All righty then...

I do not do well without a plan. I finished the "house things" last week: the photo albums are all caught up. The baby books are complete. I was next supposed to be packing and getting the house ready to rent.

Now I will get the house ready to sell (maybe?) and start investigating schools in Denver (maybe?). I guess I can be a true housewife this week and take my girlfriends to lunch.

Photos of James' party - which we did today - to come. I have to go schedule all my lunch dates this week.

Au Revior...

Paris Adventure Day 7 - Kate's last day at work

My last day of work was this past Friday. It was a huge relief to leave all that stress behind and pass on my files. But it was also a little sad to leave all my friends from work. They did take me out for drinks and we had a great time. The kids went home with Jim so I could have one last evening with my girls - pictured above. And no, we could not manage to get all of us in the photo. I was not holding the camera - not my fault nor the fault of my margaritas. Below is the email invite that went out to attend to the going away party. Some of it is inside jokes, but I thought y'all might like to see it.

Top Ten Reasons Why Kate Should NOT Move Paris

10. HELLO! THE DOLLAR ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE....

9. ALWAYS HAVING TO CLARIFY WHETHER ONE MEANS ROME, ITALY OR ROME, GEORGIA.

8. SHE'LL NEVER GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP ON A TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT -- http://www.terminalu.com/travel-news/man-charged-with-alleged-sexual-assault-and-kicking-air-marshal-on-delta-flight/6681/

7. ONE CAN ONLY DRINK SO MANY GLASSES OF CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE BEFORE ONE REALIZES ALL THEY REALLY WANT IS A QUIZNOS SUB AND DIET COKE.

6. THEIR ARC DE TRIOMPHE IS COVERED IN WAY MORE PIGEON DOO-DOO THAN OURS... http://www.yelp.com/biz/millennium-gate-atlanta

5. SURE THE CRIME RATE IS LOWER THAN OURS BUT DIDN'T SHE SEE LA FEMME NIKITA??

4. CRAWFISH? YES. SHRIMP AND GRITS? YES. FROG LEGS? NO. SNAILS? HELL, NO!

3. WHEN IT COMES TO ARROGANCE, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AIN'T GOT NOTHING ON PARISIANS.

2. CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CORRECT FRENCH PEOPLE ON THE PROPER PRONOUNCIATION OF THE TERM VOIR DIRE.

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY KATE SHOULD NOT MOVE TO PARIS??? IN ORDER TO FIND OUT, YOU'LL HAVE TO COME JOIN US FOR CHIPS AND DRINKS AT TIN LIZZY'S THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011, STARTING AT 5:30PM...