Surprise!!! Nicole's 40th Birthday!

Most days, I am fine with living far away.  But, there are some things I can't miss...like my little sister, Nicole, turning 40.  Nicole and our Danceline friends starting planning their weekend together back in January for her March birthday.  Just for the fun of it, I thought I would check flights.  Wouldn't it be awesome if I could be home to surprise her!!!  They were a bit high, but I continued to check.  In late January, they took a huge dip, and the price was one I couldn't refuse.  I booked it!  Now to keep a secret for over a month!!!  Normally, this would be easy, but our group chats daily on the Voxer app.  I cannot tell you how many times I almost slipped.  Then, the week of the party, Nicole called, and we chatted for nearly two hours.  That was the LONGEST two hours of my life.  I spent the whole time trying not to mess up.  Thankfully, I didn't!  

So, on Friday, March 6th, I headed out of Brussels for Newark, Chicago, and finally Moline.  It wasn't ideal, but it was cheap.  While in Chicago, I found wifi and caught up on my Voxer messages only to find out my grandpa had passed away that day.  Our family friend, Nicole Miller Smith, had passed away on March 2nd, so I went home knowing I would be able to attend her funeral.  I had no idea I would be staying for a second.  I spent Friday night at my mom's house.  It was so good to be home.  Now, I normally chime in on Voxer when I get up in the morning.  I wanted to make sure I stuck to the normal schedule, so I set my US alarm for midnight (7 am Brussels time...holy jet lag) to wish them all a happy Saturday, lots of fun at the party, and told them how much I wished I could be with them.  Hehehehe...sneaky.  Then back to sleep.  My mom drove me to Normal on Saturday morning where we met at Danielle's house.  Nicole was due to arrive around noon, but of course, she was late for her own party.  :)  Finally she arrived, and it was the BEST surprise EVER!!!  I think I've watched the video 50 times!!!

Danielle had decorated her home with a Paris theme (Nicole LOVES Paris.)  It was awesome! And, she used my Eiffel Tower pics in the decor.  LOVE!

Jenny brought the cookies from the St. Louis area.  So adorable!

Here's the video!  EEK!!  So fun! 

Try to ignore my super annoying, excited giggle.

She was just a little shocked!

Trying to figure out how this all worked out.

The Williams girls

The Gift!  The 40th Birthday gift is the infinity bracelet from Tiffany.  I'm the only one who is surprised since I'm the oldest.  There's one perk!

The girls...just missing Katy!

 To continue the Paris theme, we were off to Merlot and a Masterpiece in Bloomington to do some painting.

My masterpiece!  I followed the directions very carefully and could not figure out why it looked so weird.  Well, after finishing, we all realized the top of the tower was too short.  You would think I would have figured that out while we were painting.  I've seen the tower a couple of times. Ugh!

Love how they are all a little different.  But, they have one thing in common...the top is too short. ;)

She was kind and shared before she devoured the rest.

What a terrific celebration!!!

 Sunday afternoon, was the funeral for our beautiful friend Nicole.  She passed away at just 34 years old after a very courageous battle with cancer.  Nicole was very transparent about her battle.  She kept a blog that updated everyone on her progress as well as her setbacks.  She was always positive and no matter the news she received, she used it to glorify God.  What an inspiration and role model for so many. She will be missed.

Rather than flying home on Monday, I rebooked my flight to leave on Tuesday morning after my grandpa's visitation on Monday night.

It was so good to see my cousins!

Pizza at Mom's house after the visitation.

Our kids with Grandpa at Christmas.

Tuesday morning, I was packed and ready for my flight.  My mom and Mike dropped me off at the airport before heading to the funeral.  While sitting at the gate, my flight was cancelled due to fog.  So, not only could I not make it to my connecting flight in Chicago, but no one could come and get me because they were all at the funeral.  And, I just wanted to be at the funeral.  I had a little cry fest all to myself for a couple of minutes.  Some nice stranger offered me a ride wherever I needed to go...thanks, but I'll be okay.  In the end, our friends came to pick me up, and I was still able to attend the luncheon.  The next flight out was Wednesday night from Chicago. So, Wednesday morning Mom and Mike drove me to O'Hare.  They are the best!  Of course, when I got to O'Hare, I wasn't on the flight.  Really?  Because I rebooked it YESTERDAY!  I'm in meltdown mode at this point and trying to hold it together.  I'm fairly certain the gal at the counter sensed this and got me on that flight.  Phew!  So, I arrived home safely on Thursday morning to leave again on a flight Friday morning.  More on that in the next post.

 It was definitely a weekend I will never forget.  I was meant to be home.  It was really God's perfect timing to have me there for so many important events.  He never ceases to amaze me.

 Until next time,

Wendy

Winter Break...and Then Some... {February 2015 Happenings}

I have missed the computer world.  My Mac died a few weeks ago...like "You need a new motherboard" dead.  Don't cry at the counter.  That's embarrassing.  It was possible to have it repaired here for the not-so-bargain price of 800 euros!  Not happening.  So, I went out to the local stores and checked prices (not feeling terribly guilty because the dollar is doing well.) But, there is that issue with that pesky azerty keyboard vs. our qwerty keyboard.  I didn't have time to wait anymore.  Sigh....So thankfully, I was able able to get a new desktop with the help of a friend with the correct keyboard. Hallelujah! Now to see about getting that laptop repaired in the US.

When I closed out the month of January, I forgot the most important part of the month!  Karin and I made a trip up to Westvleteren.  It was one year to the day when I had made the trip last year.  It must be a quiet time of year to call because I didn't have any trouble getting through again.  Karin enjoyed a beer during lunch, but I really only had the Coke.  I can't even have one and drive.  Too strong!

 The goods to take home!

The ISB parents had a tour of the EU Parliament building in Brussels.  It was only slightly unnerving that it was just a few weeks after the ISIS turmoil in Paris and in Brussels, so the number of military personnel with assault rifles was more than I'm used to seeing.  Oh, and there was a tank too.  Pardon me while I pass by on my guided tour.  Yikes!

A piece of the Berlin wall is in town (outside the Parliament building) to commemorate the anniversary.

 Jenna, Kristina, and Chris did a snowy race in the forest together.  They had a ton of fun!

Shoshana, Lisa, and I were tourists in Brussels on a chilly February day.  We had lunch at "Chicago" off of Place St. Catherine.  The burgers were really yummy.

St. Catherine's Church
Side note...The only cathedral I know of with built in urnals on the outside.  Gross!

 We stopped at Le Pain Quotidien.  We learned from Shoshana that this one in Brussels is the original!

So let's celebrate with cookies!

Lisa and Shoshana!

And shopping for other goodies in the Marolles!

 We stopped for a pic at the Palace of Justice, which is much prettier once you get past the scaffolding.  

Now that is graffiti art I haven't seen before.

 Moving right along in the month, we had a fabulous time at the Guven household for their Mardi Gras party!

Saying "Farewell" and hopefully "See you soon" to our friend Gretchen.

Just a little humor as I was walking through town.  Those are frozen cobwebs...not snot.

February 13th, we set out for our ski vacation in Austria.  As is the case with every February break, we hit traffic, but that seemed to be the easiest part of the trip. Our GPS tends to make some interesting decisions.  Her decision to route us over a mountain at 11:00 pm only to reach a road that was closed was not my idea of a good decision.  It was a looong night!

I think they miss the van.  There isn't much space back there.

This sight was worth that drive the night before.

Dinner on Valentine's Day!

Kristina and Torben

Day 1: I'll admit it.  I was intimidated.  It had been a year since I skied and starting on the reds was...well...scary.  By the end of the day, I was exhausted.  I actually quit about an hour and a half earlier than the others.  My legs were done.  I was ticked at myself for not being physically prepared like I was last year.  I learned my lesson.  Get in shape before ski vacation!

I love ski lunches in the sun.  It was sunny ALL WEEK!  Glorious!

That was one of my first runs.  I could do it much faster at the end of the week than I could on the first day.

The kids were in ski school for five days from 9:00am - 3:00pm.  I missed seeing them (it is a family vacation after all) but having them learn with an instructor is much more productive than skiing with their parents.  We loved their instructor.  He had them skiing the blacks on day two (slopes in Europe are blue, red, and black.)  There is no babying them. They were like little ducks and would just follow where he went.  By the end of the week, they were skiing circles around me.  So proud of them!!!

Catching up a the end of the day.

We made it to the top on the Jochberg side of the mountain.

Our lunchtime view! 

Dinner with the Krings

Good thing they gave me a selfie stick for my birthday!  I think Torben is regretting that decision.

After she put a huge helping of meat and "cheese" in her mouth, Allison discovered it was actually horseradish.  Please pass the milk!

 They really like their schnapps in Austria.

Our ride to the Kitzbuhel side of the mountain...the 3S cable car!

A ride up the gondola above Kitzbuhel.

Après ski!  Just kidding!

You must be on a ski vacation when your towel warmer becomes the glove dryer.

I love the church in Jochberg!

 Lunch at my favorite spot on the Kitzbuhel side. Gorgeous views!

Hahaha!  Michelle!

Excuse us boys...we're trying to get a picture here.  Move it! ;)

I think he has missed the snow.

Each night, they would all crawl in one bed and watch TV shows or movies.  We also had a great time playing games.  The four of them had a super time together!  Thomas didn't seem to mind being the only boy.

Friday, the four of us skied together the whole day.  It was my favorite day!

Thomas: Mom, do you sing while you ski?

Me: No, do you?

Thomas: Yes, it helps me keep my rhythm and ski faster.

Me: Okay, what should I sing?

Thomas: At your pace, you should probably stick with "Say Something".....

How could I not laugh at that!?!

Sausage break on the lift.

Lunch with the Krings.

The last supper!
We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday with the Krings.  We love making memories with our friends!

The mamas

Look at those crazy ski tans!

Leaving Austria and arriving in Belgium.  Typical!

 Back in Belgium, we were due for a trip to Leuven.  We all needed some burritos.

Have you ever wondered how they keep these old building in such good shape?  Well, they rip off everything but the facade and rebuild.  Old in the front and brand new in the back!

Mmmmmmmm!!!!!!

And we closed out the month with an intense game of Jenga.  We're crazy!

Until next time,
Wendy