Like rabbits in the fields of Indiana, our luggage multiplied 2 fold during our stay in Greenwood. We came with 4 bags and went back to Belgium with 8. You may be curious to know the items we felt we couldn't survive without in Belgium:
Ramen Noodles
Cool whip topping mix
cookie mix
pretzels
deodorant
Starbucks ground coffee
books/magazines
Model Magic
Converse tennis shoes
Yankees hat(s)
75% off Easter candy
Clothes for everyone
red hots
prom dress #2 (the first one was too big)
movies
Mother's Day cards in English
When we arrived at the Indianapolis International Airport Thursday morning, we checked in and proceeded to the food court for breakfast. This would be our last American meal, so everyone ate their favorite.
Maria-Sausage and egg sandwich from McDonalds (Weird choice because we have McDonalds in Belgium)
Leah and Jenn- Fried rice and chicken from Naked Chopsticks
Julie-breakfast burrito from Quedoba
Time of day does not matter when you are having your last meal before a long flight to the "Country of no fast food".
It really was nice to be home in the USA. We saw so many good friends and family. Mom and Dad came over to visit for 2 nights and even got to throw around the softball with Leah and Jenn. All three girls went to dance at Stage I and hung out just like they used to. It was fun to spend time with brand new baby Mollie. She is adorable and BA and Stacie's pride and joy. Baby Addi is so mobile now and we had lots of fun watching her run around our empty house. Nothing beats a 16 month old who loves to run and play. Ron and Kara even taught her to say "thank you"! I only saw Eileen once, which was not enough but Jennifer H stopped by at 7:30am so I got to give her one last goodbye. Pam and I saw each other over and over and we all got to discuss the perils of raising teenagers. My escapades of the European twist to child rearing made all of them shutter. We started our plans for Maria's friend Kaitlin to visit and Maria arranged for her internship in physical therapy for the summer. She will spend part of her 2 weeks in private practice and part in a hospital setting.
Our trip to the US was great! If there are any economic reports for the week we were in Indiana, I am sure it will show a slight increase in consumer spending. As promised, I did my part to stimulate economic growth in the community.
Hello Julie! We're sorry that we missed you during your visit back home to Indiana! I have enjoyed reading your blog, and updates for all of your wonderful ventures!
ReplyDeleteWell your "Can't do without list" made me laugh out loud...Deordorant, well, I'm not even going to ask about that one! My favorite, Mother's Day cards in English!! ;) That would be helpful!
I am also glad that you did your part here in Greenwood, to help the sagging ecomomy! Love it!!
Hope to talk with you soon...keep having fun!
~Sarah Foley, and the family!
Welcome back to the Low Countries.
ReplyDeleteYou brought American chocolate to Belgium? Oh dear. Have you tried Neuhaus?
Raising kids in a foreign country is tough, but your children are so lucky to be able to experience Europe first hand every day. All that history and language right at their fingertips. I'm sure they will be speaking French in no time.
Hope you're not missing the States too much, and your cool whip supply is endless.
I should be more clear....."75% off Easter candy" only means one thing to me....Peeps!!!!! Anyone who has ever been a student of mine at Easter time knows that those sugar covered marshmallow delights are an important part of my spring curriculum!
ReplyDelete