We are annual pass holders at the Porte Dorée Aquarium in Paris— and it’s only 33 euros a year for our whole family. That’s a fantastic deal. And if you ask Jackson, you can even see dinosaurs (they are actually alligators but it sounds so cute when he says it). Continue reading
We are waiting to hear if we’ve been accepted to rent an apartment we applied for. The housing market in Paris is tough. Owners often require you make 3.3 times the rent and if you know anything about rent in Paris, we don’t fit the criteria. But we’ve applied and we are waiting. Continue reading
I’ve lived in France over 12 years and I’ve never met a doughnut like the one I ate today. Dave had the day off, we needed an outing and a little bird (named Karen) told me last night she had eaten a legit doughnut in the 11th arrondissement– something about maple bacon and another with lemon and basil. I couldn’t get them out of my mind so we hopped on bus #56 this morning and we were off. Continue reading
When my mama is in town we all eat well. She cooks up delicious food and is always up for trying new restaurants or eating at “old favorites.” On Thursday night we spent our last night at le Mary Celeste– a restaurant in the Marais. I’ve eaten here a number of times over the last two years and it never disappoints. Continue reading
The idea of using cloth diapers was so chic when I was pregnant with our first little one in 2011. I picked out neutral color diapers as to be able to use them with any other babies the Lord might entrust us with. We also received the amazing gift of 15 cloth diapers from Cotton Babies as a part of their cloth diaper grant for missionaries living overseas. Seriously; what cool people! All this to say, I was sold on cloth diapers. Continue reading
I’ve joined the trend of “wearing a uniform.” It just sort of happened and I’m glad it did. For those of you new to the concept, it basically means you wear the same thing each day. Continue reading
Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider gave me the game plan for simplifying and decluttering our home. It was so therapeutic getting things pared down… but it was also a lot of work. You wouldn’t think that an 800 square foot apartment could hide away so many unneeded “treasures.” When all was said and done the back of our mini van was full of things to be donated, and we had several bags go the consignment shop (which we ended up making 80 euros from… not bad). Continue reading
The last two weeks of 2015 have been eventful: three bouts of the stomach flu, three trips to the car garage (a forth to come), a trip to the emergency room for Jack, a rotting animal (with an amazing stench) under the room we were assigned for our student New Year’s conference. So here we are, 3 P.M. on New Years Eve and Dave, Jack and I are still in our pjs with piles of laundry and a barf bucket in reach. (Chloe and Lexie managed to get dressed this morning : )). Um, and I need a shower.
BUT, we can still say at the end of this year, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 118.1). Our good friend and national campus director, Joe, said the other day that in their family they have a tradition of saying this verse after dinner. “Sometimes a good meal, sometimes a bad meal but we still say it…” We can say God is good and his loves endures forever because they don’t depend on our circumstances. His goodness is expressed most in reconciling us to himself through Christ’s birth, death and resurrection. So whether our Christmas or year was stellar or disappointing we can still say, “thanks.”
If you could be a fly on the wall of our stinky room in the conference center or of our living room as Jack starting puking last night, you’d know my first instinct wasn’t to say, “blessed be His name in all circumstances.” In the depths of my heart, it is a truth that keeps me grounded, but in the moment I respond big. Acknowledgement goes a long way for me. I want someone to look me in the eye and say, “yeah, this is just getting crazier and crazier. Can you believe it?!”But the trick is to still genuinely be able to say, “Thanks God. You are good and your love endures forever.” This next year I’d like to grow in this area … I want to laugh with the Lord and listen more for Him in the crazy.
Another thing that has helped me keep perspective is knowing that others are suffering in ways that won’t be fixed by selling a car or a quick trip to the emergency room. Yeah; that gives me perspective.
I raise my glass (of orange juice) and with tears brimming I say to You, oh Lord, “You are good. Thank You for all that 2015 has been and that You have allowed me to walk through it with You. And as the French say, “chin, chin!'”
My mom took me on a very special, once in a life time cooking adventure in Tuscany in April. I was seven months pregnant and enjoyed every minute of time with my mom, learning to cook all sorts of delicious food and eating it!! This is Tuscan sea salt recipe is from our cooking class. Continue reading
Last night I decided the cream puff tree and post-Christmas pageant dessert buffet at church need to be worked off with a walk come morning. However, Dave’s text this morning announced the elevator being out of service. This is one of the charms of city living- living on the sixth floor and having a non-functioning elevator, while doing life with three little ones four and under.
I must have been slightly delusional when I thought I could get down the steps carrying a baby carseat (sans bébé) and Jack’s scooter while helping the little helmet-clad kiddo down the steps, all with lil’ Chloe strapped on. What mother thinks that’s a good idea? All was going well until somewhere between the 3rd and 4th floor.
It happened too quickly and out of my range of visibility (when I’m “wearing my baby” it is impossible to see from my hips down in a three foot radius). But there he was, little helmet-clad buddy sprawled out across four steps, face down. That helmet saved him. He was crying but more because he was shook up. I managed to balance the scooter on a couple of steps and plop the car seat on the landing of the 3rd floor. Jack and I caught our breath and then I heard a voice, “Heidi, is it you? Do you need help getting down the steps?” It was our neighbor. The same one who drove me the hospital when I couldn’t get a hold of Dave and the husband of my friend who made it possible for me to get home to my family during the terrorist attacks four weeks ago. God seriously sends this family to us in our weakest, most needy moments. It is crazy. “Ah yes, that’d be great,” I responded with an awkward laugh… I didn’t want to look so desperate but I was.
I thanked him and then shuffled off to only find that our car wasn’t parked in the lot of our building. See there are only so many spots available and it is on a first come, first serve basis. I call Dave to find out how far away the car is parked. Um, too far to keep this circus up all the way to it’s spot. Fortunately our gardien (the building caretaker) had pity on me and offered to keep the carseat until the elevator is repaired. Did I mention I looked desperate? Ok, focus Heidi, you have to get your daughter from preschool.
The trip back up the steps was much smoother. Lexie offered to carry Jack’s helmet… and the scooter. Sweet girl; she forgets she’s hardly four. I let her take the helmet.
We did the steps one more time to go play at the park but this time without the extra “props” and with a friend by my side. My super hero husband met us when we came home. He scooped up our two year old and carried him up the steps.
I think I worked off at least part of the cream puff tree and tomorrow, as the elevator still isn’t repaired, I should get around to working off the rest.
Everyday Paris Mama 