More Pictures of France

I’m sorry it has taken so long to blog about our trip to France, but we hit the ground running when we came back, and this is our first opportunity to sit down and write about it.
We had a wonderful time, to put it mildly. It was great to come “home” after 13 years. We got to see a lot of Paris. I was able to do a lot of walking, and even took the stairs up the Arc de Triomphe (by accident!).
The kids had a blast at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Thank you again, for taking such good care of them. It is so nice for them to be able to put into context your environment there. It was the little things like “going outside to go the basement” that they thought were cool. We only wish we would have had more time. It seems we spent a lot of time in the car. It was so worth it, though. It was really a dream come true, and one that we will remember for the rest of our lives.
We took almost 600 pictures, but here are a few of them. 1) The other side of the Atlantic. 2) St. Emillion 3) The best reason to come; 4) Versailles; 5) Auberge de l'Abbaye; 6) Chateau de Villiers, our "hotel" 7 & 8) Le Louvre 9) coming home.

HAPPY 6th!!!

Wow! Time flies. It hardly seems possible that we all gathered in Raleigh for a beautiful wedding under pouring down rain just 6 years ago! They've lost a few hairs, added a couple kids, gained a few age lines, but they're sweeter than ever!! Have a wonderful day!

Our Young Author!

We all know that Aunt Ruth was quoted in the LA Times, but are you aware that we have a published author in our midst? Elise gave her Grandpa a copy of the book Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans while she was here. On page 125 there is a poem called "The Tree"--it goes like this:

Tree

Dear God,

Thank you for my basketball-built body
And feathery wings
Help me to be a place of comfort to a lonely soul
On a cloudy day
A fun playground for children is what I should be
Not a stick in the mud with no worth
Use me wisely, God, if I get chopped in half
When the winter wonderland comes,
Will I look like a bride swaying in the wind?
In summertime, will I hold children sitting in me
But imagining they are on a cloud?
Someday, I know I will also reach the marshmallow puffs
In a Kool-aid sky.

Sincerely,
Tree

P.S. My friends and I are almost always waving to you.

Elise Bixby
Age 10

Our copy is signed by the author--are you all jealous? We are proud grandparents! 

Bathroom Renovation

We began working on our bathroom project sometime in August. We divided it into several phases, including replacing the window, stripping the wallpaper, replacing some drywall where we removed an old heater and tile border, painting, replacing the vanity, retiling the floor, etc. We still have some trim & ceiling painting to do, and then the major task of retiling the floor. But our bathroom has already been significantly transformed. Not sure just yet when we'll get to the remaining phases ...

"Here's my new bathroom ..."

as Micaiah would say. The vanity and sink came from Ikea. We have accented with brushed nickel accessories. 

Couples' Retreat

As Donna told you, we spent the weekend with three other couples from our church (Coles, Kellners & McKnights) at The Wilds. Our speaker was Dr. Jim Berg, dean of students at BJU and author of the book Changed Into His Image. (How do you like all those hyperlinks, Bob? Am I becoming a true blogger? ;-)

It was a fabulous weekend. We were kept so busy that I hardly found time to miss my kids, though I was very glad to return to them on Sunday. We enjoyed the bonding time with the other couples (e.g. human foosball, the giant swing, land trolley, etc.), and the sessions with Dr. & Mrs. Berg were truly excellent. We were challenged and inspired. 

A Fun-filled Weekend!!

Well, Tim and Ruth went away to "work on their marriage", this weekend, and Auntie Donna honed in her parenting skills! I'm sure T&R will blog about their weekend, but here in Greenville we had a lot of fun. We went to the park on Friday night--sorry no pics, I forgot the camera. Aunt Jo and Uncle Brian went with us. We came home and had spaghetti for supper and by that time the kids were worn out. On Saturday our day started at 6:45 when M comes and jumps in bed with very sleepy Auntie!! About 8:30, Auntie Jo took Micaiah to Krispi Creme!! He got to watch the doughnuts being glazed, and he even got a "doughnut hat." His favorite was a football doughnut. Then we went to the mall while Jo and Brian registered at Belks. Of course, our favorite stop was the candy store for a giant sucker. (Okay, a slight overdose on sugar, but hey, it's not every weekend you spend with the Aunties, right?) Back home for a quick lunch and long naps--Auntie Donna took a major long nap as well!! Not really that the kids had worn me out but T&R's bed....more on that later! They didn't wake up until about 4:30, so we watched a Winnie the Pooh (what more can you ask for in life!) and then they went on a long walk with Jo, Brian, and Amy Sutter (while I made supper and lunch for Sunday). By the time we had supper, got bathed, and in bed, everyone was exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep, or so thought Auntie Donna! I went to bed about 10:30, and M woke up thirsty at 11:15. About 10 minutes later he needed to "go potty". Potty, and back to bed. About 12:30 he started crying. Good 'ole Auntie Donna rushes to the poor child's bedside--he is sound asleep!! Back to bed to try and get some sleep, but oh, the bed....! (I think T&R need to quit remodeling the bathroom and think about a new bed! That has got to be the noisiest bed I have ever slept on. Every time you move, the bed creeks, groans, and you wonder if it is just going to give up the ghost then and there. Not to mention that it is uncomfortable, bumpy, and hard. If I was sleepy in church on Sunday am it was because of the horrible bed--not the kids!) Inspite of our best efforts of "going potty", we had to get another quick bath in the morning! However, we managed to get off to church on time. The only things forgotten were my Bible and SS stuff, and my watch! Other than that, everyone was bathed, dressed, and in church on time with lunch in the oven. Whew! I'm tired. How do you all do that week in and week out???!!! I LOVED IT!!
 

Memories in the Making!

 

FUN FRIDAY!

We had a really fun day today. In the morning, Elise and Ben worked hard to finish the homework that their teachers had given them. Ben also "discovered" the attic. He and Poppa brought out a box of kid's books that they had fun sorting. Then Grandma took them shopping to spend some euros that were begging to be spent! After that, Poppa took them up to the park and they were able to feed the animals and play on the playground. Home again for some hot chocolate to warm everyone up (it has turned rather cold here this week!). Now, everyone is tucked in bed waiting for Mommy and Daddy to get back about 11 tonight. Our time is almost over and we are all pretty sad! 

Spain and home again!

The Bixby children have now been in three countries! Today we got in the car and went to Spain and ate at McDonalds in Spain and then we went shopping. It was a big store with small stores around it (kind of like a mall!). Then we stopped at a couple of places to look at the ocean before stopping at the "rocks." Unfortunately, we accidently lost the camera so we have no pictures of us (we had lots of really, really good ones :-() so these pictures only show you the place. But the waves were incredible. Grandpa said he had never seen them so high! It rained hard all day long. It was a really fun day. But now it is time to go to bed. Elise (and Grandma)

And then came Milou!

Daddy's promise lots of things when a little girl is hurting at the loss of her dear little birds. Our birds took to the sky a little over two weeks ago when their cage got tipped over outside. Patience has been promised a puppy for a few years now, but she finally got her Dad to put feet to his words. We brought Milou home with us just last Friday and it has been an adventure since. He is adorable and lots of fun for everyone, but Mom will be especially greatful when he is housetrained. 

EXCURSION!!!

We had talked about going away for a one-night vacation as a family sometime after Mom & Dad returned to France, and decided on the fly Monday night that the time had come! Within an hour, we had packed our overnight bag and had hit the road for Asheville, where we stayed in a Hampton Inn. One of our goals was to give the kids an opportunity to swim, since they hadn't had too many of those this summer. We went swimming in the hotel pool for about an hour Monday night and for a couple of hours on Tuesday morning. The kids (and their parents) really enjoyed it. We spent a little time walking around the Biltmore Village (shops near the Biltmore Estate) and ate a late lunch in the old train depot before heading back home to host dinner with a family from church in our home on Tuesday evening. 

WEDNESDAY--The Zoo!

This morning Mom and Dad left to go to Nimes, for Dad’s work, and we get to stay with Grandma and Grandpa! We got to go to the zoo today with Grandpa and Alicia. We saw a white tiger which was huge! We saw a parrot performer, and in the picture the parrot is standing on a cylinder thing and walking on it. We also jumped on a blow up trampoline that had sand and water all over it, so we were a sight when we got home.
Elise 

TUESDAY--Bordeaux Centre

France, France, France! We had a splendid time in Bordeaux. Crepes, Mc Donald’s, shopping, shopping, shopping, and more shopping! How much better could you get. Our first ride in a tram was a blast! Even though my mother and father suggested strongly that I get my ears pierced I refused.
Then last night we had prayer meeting and everyone sang and prayed in French. Dad gave a testimony and Grandpa preached. I am pretty proud of myself that I did not fall asleep.
Elise
 

MONDAY: St. Emillion

This is Ben. Today we went to St. Emillion. We had a tour and we went through all these tunnels and stuff. The tour was in a church all from one rock underground. It was really hot so Poppa got us ice cream cones. When we got home, we went to visit some French friends of Mommy and Daddy's. We took a walk. They loaned us a bike and a scooter to use while we are here. It was a great day. 

Farewell for Matthieu and Jeanine

Yesterday the church had a special meal and program as a farewell to Jeanine and Matthieu. It was very nice. Besides a small "choir" piece, the children participated. The three oldest played their instruments and the two smallest sang. That was the biggest surprise. Antsa sang the song perfectly. Ando and Lala were especially grateful to Jeanine for the effort she put into working with Antsa--and it certainly was evident! It was great to be back for us. 

BREAKFAST!

Breakfast is fun and different in France. This morning Ben went with Poppie to the bakery and asked for "trois baguettes"! Drinking hot chocolate from a bowl made it twice as good. Ben wanted to be "really French" so he added a sugar cube :-) Sunday morning was "special" with croissants and chocolate breads. Wish you were all here! 

PARIS!!

 

They are REALLY in FRANCE!!!

It is late (we have had computer problems :-) but we wanted to let you know that they are really, truly here!!! We are so excited to have them. Kids are trying to sleep in the mezz while we work so this will be short. More tomorrow.

 

Enjoy Life--Eat Peanut Butter 1st!

Miriam has a very specific way of eating her toast or her PB & J sandwiches. Eat the PB & J side first!!! Without fail she always either turns it over, or if it's a sandwich, opens it up, in order to enjoy the best part first. That means bibs are always a MUST if one wants to spare the clothes. We finally caught it on film, and thought you might enjoy the pics. However, these pics make her look a little neater than usual.

And they're off!

Mom & Dad entered the friendly skies early this afternoon, and are scheduled to arrive in Bordeaux at noon tomorrow. Fewer than 105 days until they'll be back again. Note Dad's sad goodbye face in the middle picture. I'm sure he'll be quickly brightened up in a few days when his Minnesotan grandkids visit him at HIS house! 

Patience's First day of School!!

Patience's formal education has begun! She started her day with waking to the sounds of her parents singing as she was brought her first ever "breakfast in bed" (no photos, sorry). Bixby Christian School of Rockford started promtly at 9:00 and completed "day one" before running to our scheduled paino lesson. Teacher/Mother and pupil returned for lunch and then continued with "day two" and then finished our school time with a fun art project. At present Mom is tired and Patience is napping! It has been a great start to our school year. 

First Day of School

It's hard to believe... they're all in school.
Believe it or not, it was a little tearful for Dad and Mom... but not for the kids!
Of course, they only have two days of school before the best vacation of their lives!!!!!
We can' t wait.
Look out, France... here we come!