Our 14th month in Luxembourg has included some pretty big events -- our return from our three-week trip to the states, grand theft auto, a burgled home, overcoming jet lag, a trip to the dentist and the start of a new school year with both Otto and Aksel attending school.
Our trip to Utah ended with really happy and peaceful sentiments about our choice to make our home in another place.
Our trip home to Luxembourg ended with really unfortunate news that still hasn't been resolved.
Our trip home to Luxembourg ended with really unfortunate news that still hasn't been resolved.
Our car was located (dumped) in Antwerp, Belgium and hasn't yet been released by the Belgian police. Once the police have concluded their investigation, PwC will retrieve the car and we'll have more information about damage and next steps. In the meantime, we are fortunate to have a longterm rental. What we aren't fortunate enough to have is the necessary parking stickers to park on our own street or anywhere in the city of Luxembourg, which is turning out to be my least favorite aftermath of being burgled. Because we were already issued a temporary sticker on our first rental car more than a year ago and a second set of stickers for our permanent car (the one that was stolen), we've maxed out our allowable number of stickers and I really feel like the Romanian Gypsies or Belgians or whomever stole our car are sticking it to me far worse than they realize.
Fernand, our landlord, stopped by to inspect the door and expressed his surprise that the car was found north and not east (everyone here assumed Eastern Europe and it's hooligans were the cause of our problems). He ate some of my warm chocolate chip cookies and we talked about the rain. Then he said he was occupied for the next FIVE WEEKS getting his "boy" settled in at University in Germany and he wouldn't be able to attend to our broken door and blinds until then.
No one is in a hurry. So I'm trying really hard to not be bothered about the fact that no one is in a hurry or answering any questions or providing us with any information (about parking stickers).
Additionally, all of the communication from the Luxembourg police is in German (not helpful) and it continues to be a unique experience navigating daily life in Europe.
Case in point: we decided it was finally time to take ourselves and Otto and Aksel to a dentist here in Luxembourg.
We also decided that three days after returning from our trip to the states amidst battling jet lag would be a great time. When the afternoon arrived, we debated back and forth for several minutes if we should drive into the City Centre or take a bus. Star Andrews, bless her heart, sat at our house with a sleeping Ingrid making our trip to the dentist a little less complicated.
We started walking toward the bus stop and then changed our minds, walked home and loaded into the car. It's always tricky trying to decide if the extra time on the bus will be better than possibly not getting a parking spot (a real possibility).
The Monterey parking house had a few spots left, thankfully. Ben carried Otto and I carried Aksel for the 10-minute walk to the dentist office in the rain.
We found the entry tucked between two tall buildings and then momentarily panicked when we couldn't immediately remember the dentist's name, thus making it impossible to know which bell to ring for entrance into the building. It finally came to me and we were buzzed up.
After riding the elevator up several floors, we walked through a doorway and Ben began conversing in French with the receptionist and filling out paperwork. I located a bathroom and encouraged Aksel and Otto to use it instead of running back and forth down the hallway and playing with other people's umbrellas.
We waited in a large waiting room with a beautiful rug and good view of construction until our name was called and we all walked to the exam room together.
The dentist, Dr. Carlo Ahlbourne, had come highly recommended by two American partners at PwC with three small children. A verbose German man, Dr. Ahlborne spent A LOT of time discussing with Ben his philosophy on teeth and oral health compared to American philosophies. I spent A LOT of time trying to entertain Otto and Aksel and keeping Aksel from breaking molds of other patients' teeth and a large assortment of pliers.
Why were we all in this room together?
Why was the dentist talking about teeth and not cleaning teeth?
Why was the assistant wearing the tightest pair of white jeans I'd ever seen?
Why was there a giant pile of teeth molds sitting within arms reach of my three-year-old?
I do not know.
Ben went first. The boys loved watching the bib be placed on Ben. Dr. Ahlborne turned on a light. Ben opened his mouth. Dr. Ahlborne examined his teeth with a mirror for 45 seconds and voilà! the exam was over.
Then Dr. Ahlborne encouraged Ben to pay him €1000 for a special exam that would identify his oral health needs because, as a dentist, he doesn't treat the problem, he finds the root cause of things happening in a person's mouth. But he doesn't actually clean teeth.
I was so confused.
Otto went second. He climbed in the chair. Dr. Ahlborne turned on a light. Otto opened his mouth. Dr. Ahlborne examined his teeth with a mirror and his fingers for 30 seconds and voilà! the exam was over.
Aksel went third. He climbed in the chair. Dr. Ahlborne turned on a light. Aksel opened his mouth. Dr. Ahlborne examined his teeth with a mirror and his fingers for 30 seconds and voilà! the exam was over.
Then Dr. Ahlborne told Ben that the boys have similar teeth (problems) to Ben and American dentists are going to fix it with braces when the real problems should be fixed with a magical €1000 exam that takes an entire mold of your head and your mouth.
I went last. Dr. Ahlborne turned on a light. I opened my mouth. Dr. Ahlborne examined my mouth and said I needed my teeth cleaned. Obviously. That's why I'm here, doc. So he kind of cleaned them.
Then Dr. Ahlborne turned back to Ben and discussed my oral health.
Mind blown.
We let the boys walk/run most of the way back to the car. Ben and I walked quietly next to one another thinking about our European dental experience. Then we both agreed we didn't need to see Dr. Ahlbourne again before returning to the states.
Other things I want to remember about the past month in Luxembourg:
Megan Mullins' muffins.
Playing for hours at the Farm Park one afternoon with the Mullins, Packers, Wares, and Star.
Our luggage finally making it's way to the Luxembourg Airport (3 days after we returned to Luxembourg) and Nate picking Ben up to go retrieve it (because we didn't yet have a rental car).
Case in point: we decided it was finally time to take ourselves and Otto and Aksel to a dentist here in Luxembourg.
We also decided that three days after returning from our trip to the states amidst battling jet lag would be a great time. When the afternoon arrived, we debated back and forth for several minutes if we should drive into the City Centre or take a bus. Star Andrews, bless her heart, sat at our house with a sleeping Ingrid making our trip to the dentist a little less complicated.
The Monterey parking house had a few spots left, thankfully. Ben carried Otto and I carried Aksel for the 10-minute walk to the dentist office in the rain.
We found the entry tucked between two tall buildings and then momentarily panicked when we couldn't immediately remember the dentist's name, thus making it impossible to know which bell to ring for entrance into the building. It finally came to me and we were buzzed up.
After riding the elevator up several floors, we walked through a doorway and Ben began conversing in French with the receptionist and filling out paperwork. I located a bathroom and encouraged Aksel and Otto to use it instead of running back and forth down the hallway and playing with other people's umbrellas.
We waited in a large waiting room with a beautiful rug and good view of construction until our name was called and we all walked to the exam room together.
The dentist, Dr. Carlo Ahlbourne, had come highly recommended by two American partners at PwC with three small children. A verbose German man, Dr. Ahlborne spent A LOT of time discussing with Ben his philosophy on teeth and oral health compared to American philosophies. I spent A LOT of time trying to entertain Otto and Aksel and keeping Aksel from breaking molds of other patients' teeth and a large assortment of pliers.
Why were we all in this room together?
Why was the dentist talking about teeth and not cleaning teeth?
Why was the assistant wearing the tightest pair of white jeans I'd ever seen?
Why was there a giant pile of teeth molds sitting within arms reach of my three-year-old?
I do not know.
Ben went first. The boys loved watching the bib be placed on Ben. Dr. Ahlborne turned on a light. Ben opened his mouth. Dr. Ahlborne examined his teeth with a mirror for 45 seconds and voilà! the exam was over.
Then Dr. Ahlborne encouraged Ben to pay him €1000 for a special exam that would identify his oral health needs because, as a dentist, he doesn't treat the problem, he finds the root cause of things happening in a person's mouth. But he doesn't actually clean teeth.
I was so confused.
Otto went second. He climbed in the chair. Dr. Ahlborne turned on a light. Otto opened his mouth. Dr. Ahlborne examined his teeth with a mirror and his fingers for 30 seconds and voilà! the exam was over.
Aksel went third. He climbed in the chair. Dr. Ahlborne turned on a light. Aksel opened his mouth. Dr. Ahlborne examined his teeth with a mirror and his fingers for 30 seconds and voilà! the exam was over.
Then Dr. Ahlborne told Ben that the boys have similar teeth (problems) to Ben and American dentists are going to fix it with braces when the real problems should be fixed with a magical €1000 exam that takes an entire mold of your head and your mouth.
I went last. Dr. Ahlborne turned on a light. I opened my mouth. Dr. Ahlborne examined my mouth and said I needed my teeth cleaned. Obviously. That's why I'm here, doc. So he kind of cleaned them.
Then Dr. Ahlborne turned back to Ben and discussed my oral health.
Mind blown.
We let the boys walk/run most of the way back to the car. Ben and I walked quietly next to one another thinking about our European dental experience. Then we both agreed we didn't need to see Dr. Ahlbourne again before returning to the states.
Other things I want to remember about the past month in Luxembourg:
Megan Mullins' muffins.
Playing for hours at the Farm Park one afternoon with the Mullins, Packers, Wares, and Star.
Our luggage finally making it's way to the Luxembourg Airport (3 days after we returned to Luxembourg) and Nate picking Ben up to go retrieve it (because we didn't yet have a rental car).
Riding bikes to the pouse (playground at school), playing at the school, and watching the windows be washed in preparation for the new school year.
Spending a rainy afternoon at the Packers playing with hot wheels cars and tracks.
Challenging Otto to read 50 books to earn a much-coveted lego set.
Spending a rainy afternoon at the Packers playing with hot wheels cars and tracks.
Challenging Otto to read 50 books to earn a much-coveted lego set.
Finding a pediatrician we really love and doesn't act like I'm a weirdo.
Eating a lot of BLT's.
Russ & Star Andrews coming over one Friday night for Indian food.
Ben and Nate Packer spending a Saturday driving to and attending the Frankfurt, Germany LDS Temple. They also returned with Chipotle. Becky and I spent the day entertaining kids with Magformers and keeping one another company.
Sabrina Cardenas babysitting so we could go to dinner at Ukulele with Adam and Martha Ware. Afterward, we walked around the city centre eating gelato from Amorino.
Ben spending a Sunday at the Toul, France branch and the Packers graciously picking up and taking me and the kids to and from church.
Making chocolate chip pumpkin cookies.
Going on a family walk to the Tunnel Park.
Ben going to Ireland for a few days and returning with new shirts for everyone and a rugby ball.
Taking the kids to Parc Merveilleux one last time before the season ends with the Packers, Wares, Mullins and Star.
Watching The Incredibles.
Megan coming over one evening while Ben was out of town and talking for hours.
Meeting the Packers at Kockelscheuer one morning and watching grown men drive their remote control boats on the lake, letting the kids play on the playground, walking to see a few farm animals, and playing again at the playground.
Watching Otto pull himself up on the zipline and ride unassisted and realizing how much he's grown since we came to Luxembourg last year.
Spending an afternoon at Parc Merl letting Otto and Aksel jump on the trampolines before the season ended and watching the ISL Cross Country team do laps around the park.
Having Sienna and Noah Ware over one morning. We spent our time at the park across the street playing with sand toys and then we worked our way to a bakery for fresh chocolate chip cookies and then onto another bakery for rolls and Kinder Eggs.
Playing checkers and bingo with Otto.
Playing at the Airplane Park while waiting for Ben's airplane to land at the Luxembourg Airport.
Eating a lot of BLT's.
Russ & Star Andrews coming over one Friday night for Indian food.
Ben and Nate Packer spending a Saturday driving to and attending the Frankfurt, Germany LDS Temple. They also returned with Chipotle. Becky and I spent the day entertaining kids with Magformers and keeping one another company.
Sabrina Cardenas babysitting so we could go to dinner at Ukulele with Adam and Martha Ware. Afterward, we walked around the city centre eating gelato from Amorino.
Ben spending a Sunday at the Toul, France branch and the Packers graciously picking up and taking me and the kids to and from church.
Making chocolate chip pumpkin cookies.
Going on a family walk to the Tunnel Park.
Ben going to Ireland for a few days and returning with new shirts for everyone and a rugby ball.
Taking the kids to Parc Merveilleux one last time before the season ends with the Packers, Wares, Mullins and Star.
Watching The Incredibles.
Megan coming over one evening while Ben was out of town and talking for hours.
Meeting the Packers at Kockelscheuer one morning and watching grown men drive their remote control boats on the lake, letting the kids play on the playground, walking to see a few farm animals, and playing again at the playground.
Watching Otto pull himself up on the zipline and ride unassisted and realizing how much he's grown since we came to Luxembourg last year.
Spending an afternoon at Parc Merl letting Otto and Aksel jump on the trampolines before the season ended and watching the ISL Cross Country team do laps around the park.
Having Sienna and Noah Ware over one morning. We spent our time at the park across the street playing with sand toys and then we worked our way to a bakery for fresh chocolate chip cookies and then onto another bakery for rolls and Kinder Eggs.
Playing checkers and bingo with Otto.
Playing at the Airplane Park while waiting for Ben's airplane to land at the Luxembourg Airport.
Megan and the Mullins kids dropping off notes and treats in preparation for everyone's first day of school.
Ben working late.
Early morning runs with Megan.
The first day of school for Otto and Aksel.
Taking a meal to Marta.
Jogging to Colruyt with Ingrid. Buying pumpkins at Coluryt and piling them up in the stroller next to Ingrid and jogging home.
Ben working late.
Early morning runs with Megan.
The first day of school for Otto and Aksel.
Taking a meal to Marta.
Jogging to Colruyt with Ingrid. Buying pumpkins at Coluryt and piling them up in the stroller next to Ingrid and jogging home.
Following the neighbor's cat, Prim, with Ingrid all morning long.
Feeding the kids chocolate dinosaur Lotus cookies.
Walking both Otto and Aksel to school every day.
Otto showing Aksel the ropes in the bathroom at school.
Aksel's teachers being kind enough to meet with me and an Irish mother to provide us a "back to school night" in English.
Going to Auchan with Megan, Martha, Becky, Star, Justine and Naomi to show one another our favorite finds and purchases, followed by a lengthy dinner at Vapianos.
Making pumpkin muffins.
Going to Zig Zag one rainy afternoon and totally marveling at how well Otto and Aksel played together and the good playmates they've become.
Another season of Suits added to Luxembourg Netflix.
Ingrid eating a ton of cucumbers.
Spending a Saturday at the Eifelpark in Gondorf, Germany. This was Otto's number one requested activity for our family since arriving in Luxembourg (next to swimming). We lasted from 10 am- 3 pm and only got rained on twice. Otto was really happy and could have stayed forever. Mission complete.
Buying Aksel a bike helmet and Otto swim gear from La Belle Etoile.
Eating indian food from New Delhi.
Spending a weekend in Nancy, France for LDS Stake Conference. On Saturday morning, we drove to Nancy and spent an hour walking around Place Stanislas and a book fair. We then met up with several families from Luxembourg to explore Park Pépinère's animals, paths, and playgrounds. After lunch, we promised our children a turn on carnival rides that had since closed, so we consoled them with pistachio gelato as we returned to the car. We stopped at Hôtel Ariane so Ben could check in and get dressed and shaved for the Priesthood meeting. We dropped off Ben and the language translation equipment at the Nancy Stake Center in time for his meeting and I drove back to Luxembourg with Otto, Aksel, and Ingrid.
Ben was responsible for the translation from French to English for all three meetings that weekend. After the two Saturday meetings concluded, he met up with other families from Luxembourg for Dominos Pizza and a few rounds of Exploding Kittens.
I bathed, fed and put our children to bed in their own beds and watched a few episodes of Call the Housewife.
The next morning, I packed a bag full of tricks and snacks I hoped would last for two hours, and drove the hour and fifteen minutes back to Nancy for the Sunday meeting.
Our ward had provided a special musical number during the meeting by singing La prière d'un enfant (A child's prayer). We stood on the stand and gathered in front of the pulpit singing the song we'd practiced for weeks. I poorly pronounced a lot of words but I felt a part of something, finally. I didn't feel like an outsider or an American who can't really talk to anyone or hold a meaningful calling because I haven't yet mastered French. It was a good feeling and it felt nice to belong for three and a half minutes.
I bathed, fed and put our children to bed in their own beds and watched a few episodes of Call the Housewife.
The next morning, I packed a bag full of tricks and snacks I hoped would last for two hours, and drove the hour and fifteen minutes back to Nancy for the Sunday meeting.
Our ward had provided a special musical number during the meeting by singing La prière d'un enfant (A child's prayer). We stood on the stand and gathered in front of the pulpit singing the song we'd practiced for weeks. I poorly pronounced a lot of words but I felt a part of something, finally. I didn't feel like an outsider or an American who can't really talk to anyone or hold a meaningful calling because I haven't yet mastered French. It was a good feeling and it felt nice to belong for three and a half minutes.
As we were all driving home together later that afternoon, I asked Ben what the Stake President (or any speaker) spoke about (I wasn't able to wear a translation headset and keep our children entertained). Ben couldn't recall (because he was also busy keeping children entertained). We laughed about that for a few minutes.
Later that evening, the Packers came over for dinner and we began planning a joint trip to Paris.
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