The hard part of this life.

Suitcases line our apartment, photos have been taken down... nothing really remains that proves that we lived here for ten months. That is the nature of this life we live, we move and make an apartment our home and then uproot everything when the season ends. This year in particular though, it seems to be harder than in years past. 

When we brought Kaleb here, he was a tiny infant. We watched him grow up here. He learned to sit, to crawl, to eat solids... he went through so many stages here, in his first year of life. And while I have photographs and videos to capture many of those special moments, it is unlikely that I will step foot inside this apartment again. 

We have finally said all our good-byes, shed our tears, sorted through our belongings.... and now all that separates us from our family at home is an ocean and about 24 hours of travel. We will be home before we know it though, reunited with Kaleb's grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. As hard as it is to say our good-byes, we anticipate a summer packed with fun memories ahead.

By the grace of God we will make it home, in one piece, collapse into our own bed (yay!) and wake up ready to re-adjust to life in the States. To all our friends we have met here.... thank you for your friendship. We will never, ever forget this season of our lives. To friends waiting on the other side of the pond, we can't wait to see each of you!!!

Until we've settled back in the States, 

Suzanne

We're Back in Holland!

For now at least. :) Kaleb and I arrived home safe and sound on Thursday evening after a getaway to Barcelona to meet up with some friends. This weekend brings the determining games of the finals... will our guys go home as champs or not? I hope so! I will upload pics and blog about our trip soon, but wanted to give a brief update before things get crazy here. We head back to the States on Wednesday already. Where oh where has the time gone?

I can't help but to get a bit emotional every time I think about saying good-byes here. I always remind myself that for every "bye" there is a "hello" on the other side. It does make it easier, anticipating our return to the States, but it is difficult nonetheless... always knowing that a good-bye is around the corner. I suppose that is why the trip we just took, to meet up with friends we met while in Poland, was all the more special. I am fortunate to have met some amazing people in the crazy life of ours, and getting to see them is not something I take for granted.

To Eta and Mo... I loved every minute I got to spend with you and your boys. :) (Even dragging our strollers and babies up and down the metro stairs. ha!) We miss you already!

Moments in Time.

My latest project has included uploading all my photos, those precious frozen moments in time, to Shutterfly so that I could print off hard copies to put in albums this summer. Since it has been quite some time since I have done this (re: YEARS) I had plenty of time to relive experiences in the process. I have so many memories tucked away in my mind, but seeing photos makes them come to life again and makes all the details more vivid and colorful.

I suppose I am in bit of a state of denial at the moment. Denial that my baby boy is nearly ten months old. Denial that I am now 27 years old. (I just considered this yesterday even though my birthday was over two weeks ago.) Denial that we are finally in the home stretch this season... that we are heading home in less than three weeks.

It goes the same way every year. The beginning is an adventure, meeting new people... exploring new faces. And the ending is also the same: bittersweet and seemingly rushed. We are excited to get home to family and friends, but sad to leave here all the same.









Our little nine month old seems to be getting cuter and bigger by the day.









He got to try Cheerios for the first time on the day he turned nine months, and boy does he love them. He seems to enjoy anything that he can feed himself, with egg yolk scramble topping his list of favorites these days.







John's team won the Dutch Cup and have now advanced into the finals. The coming week will be insanely busy with five games in a matter of eight days. I'm not sure who game days wear out more: dad, mom or baby. Poor Kaleb is up way past his bedtime and thus generally more cranky than normal for the following couple of days. It is totally worth it though, to see Kaleb clapping in stands while watching everything going on all around him. My heart melts every time John comes and gives us a kiss after the game.

Autograph anyone?





The days are getting longer and warmer as we spend more time outdoors, especially on our little deck.



Easter Sunday was a celebration indeed. As we worshipped with our international church and cheered for those being baptized, I couldn't help but to think of what heaven will look like. We are always fortunate when we are able to find a church over here... but even more fortunate this year to walk into a crowd of familiar brothers and sisters.







I turned 27 and although John was on the road for a game, we were able to celebrate that morning as a family. I must say, I have quite a romantic husband. He goes above and beyond to make me feel special, and I appreciate him dearly for it. John surprised me with a facial that morning... one hour of quiet pampering. We had an early lunch at my favorite little spot, Bagels & Beans.







And, he even managed to make me a cake to eat with friends later that evening. Who, by the way, came to celebrate with grilled hamburgers and a delicious meal. I am so fortunate to have such amazing friends here.

The cake? Well, the cake was a "princess" themed one. Because according to John... I am his princess. I am thinking it was one of the only ones he could find here. Hilarious yet oh, so sweet.