19 Months

The best part about the past month was that nothing extraordinary happened. No major trips; no major events. Just living. Living in Luxembourg. It didn't feel particularly hard or foreign. It all felt really normal. It felt like this is actually our home and we could keep living here forever. 

One Sunday, after church, Ben made spaghetti and we all sat down at the table to eat. Everyone ate; everyone sat. Everyone liked it. 

I can’t stop thinking about that meal and the potential that lies ahead for my family. It felt like a real accomplishment. It felt deeper and richer than anything I've seen in Europe. It made me feel whole. 

There are so many truly wonderful things about living in Europe. The bakeries, the cheese, the cathedrals, the Christmas markets, the sparkling water, etc. But the most wonderful thing, to me, is watching my family be at home here -- making friends, speaking Luxembourgish, ordering eclairs from our favorite bakery, celebrating birthdays, teaching someone to ride a bike, knowing our neighbors, being recognized at the grocery store, having a favorite babysitter, eating regular meals (cooking here is so much harder than I anticipated), graduating from nursery to primary at church, joining libraries, ordering turkeys, hosting Easter egg hunts, and not needing my GPS as much. 

I took Otto to his friend Elias' house one Saturday afternoon to play. His parents and I sat at their kitchen table talking for a few minutes. When they learned our visas expire June 30 and we would return to the states sometime before then, Elias' mom became emotional. So did I. 

Elias was the first person Otto talked about at school. His first friend. His first playmate in Luxembourg. His preschool teachers purposefully ensured Otto and Elias moved together to the same classroom this year. They've learned Luxembourgish together (Elias speaks French and German at home). And it will end. 

The other day Otto said to me, I'm going to speak Luxembourgish forever!!". And then I became emotional again. 

I'm American. I want to live in America. But I don't want this to end. 

Things I want to remember about the past month:  

We celebrated Ingrid’s second birthday. She received a Lego set and a doctor kit. She loves to play doctor with me in the mornings while the boys are at school. Frequently, she will lay in her bed at night singing to herself: Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Aksel, Happy Birthday Ottobot, Happy Birthday Ingi. 

Hearing Aksel count in Luxembourgish and quoting lines from Beauty and the Beast.

Our (stolen) car was released from the Belgian police to PwC and then returned to us. I went to use the GPS one day and looked at "recent destinations". I laughed out loud when "Antwerp" appeared. I'm glad we could help the thieves navigate their way to Belgium. 

Ingrid sleeping with her kitty, rabbit, small baby, big baby and water bottle. 

We met the Mullins at the farm park one day and although it was muddy and cold, we played for more than an hour and really enjoyed ourselves.

Everyone finally being able to sit for scriptures before bed. 

   

Ingrid and I exploring a store called Ben & Pepper and the bakery, Paul. A really kind employee gave Ingrid a mini croissant and she loved it. I loved the hot chocolate. 

Aksel started writing his name. He also came home from school one day with a black eye. I asked him how it happened and he said, “at the playground”.

  

Ben and I celebrated six years of marriage at Cyrano.  

Watching Aksel and Viola (a friend and classmate) play at the pouse really well together after school. 

Ben spending a Saturday in Mulhouse, France for a Stake Priesthood Conference. The kids and I met the Mullins and the Wares at Zig Zag that afternoon and then we all went to McDonalds for dinner. The kids were pumped. 

Aksel playing really well with Ingrid at the school playground. 

   

Opening and playing Connect 4. Otto was thrilled. It took him a few turns to realize the benefit of blocking me and not just pursuing four in-a-row. I love teaching him new things and watching him grow.

Aksel begging for brownies because of the book, Happy Birthday, Mouse! In the book, Mouse is trying to decide what he wants for his birthday and brownies is something he considers. Every day Aksel asked for a brownie, so I made them one Sunday and he loved them. 

Yudri giving the boys a haircut. 

How enamored the boys are with going to church in a hotel. In both of their daily prayers, they thank Heavenly Father for hotel church. They also pray that we will be able to buy more Rescue bots when we go to Utah this summer. 

Accompanying the Hussler family on the piano for a special musical number while they sang, I Love to See the Temple in Swedish.

Taking a family nap one Sunday until 4 pm. 

Spending a Sunday evening at the Oliver's house. 

Ingrid taking her clothes (and diaper) off whenever she's supposed to be sleeping. 

Ben teaching me how to index. 

Riding train to Esch-Sur-Alzette and back one Saturday with the Packers because the boys love trains so much. They kept asking if it was the same train I look when I went to Paris. 

The following conversation between Otto and I: 

Me: Why don’t you speak to Aksel in Luxembourgish?

Otto: I tried. He doesn’t speak Luxembourgish.

    

Otto having regular play dates with Elias and Daniel. 

   

Ingrid and I going to Romy Weydart’s art studio to buy the 2016 Peckvillchën Easter birds.

Playing at the pouse after school with friends. 

Ben going to a late-night movie with Carlos Rodriguez. 

Aksel calling Megan by her last name, Mullins. 

My amazing trip to Paris. 

Neighbor kids feeling comfortable at our house during bath time. 

Otto and I getting strep throat. 

Celebrating Liichtmesdäg and Carnival. Otto had to miss his parade of lanterns at school as well as getting candy due to strep throat. His teacher sent his lantern home with Aksel in case we went door-to-door that evening for candy. We didn't leave the house, but two groups of children came by and sang for candy. I took a video of one group, because I wanted to remember it and because we know all of the children.

Ben took the entire day off of work to help take care of our children and me. It’s never happened in the history of our marriage. He didn’t believe me when I told him that.

Otto's artwork. Every day he comes home from school with a picture he's drawn of our house or our life.

The boys had a week off of school for the Carnival holiday. We didn't have any travel plans because Ben was in London all week, but we kept busy with friends, cookie decorating, indoor play places, grocery shopping, and swimming. It was a good week and it was nice to be at home truly living in Luxembourg.