unexpected friendship

If you asked me to define a person  who would make a 'good' expatriate (if there is such a thing) my words would probably sound something like:  "the opposite of my husband and me".

While we are are both open to change and not adverse to taking risks, we both tend towards the introverted and reserved side of the spectrum.  Our thoughts lean more towards the quality of our friendships rather than the quantity of our friendships.  Not exactly the traits of people that will have an easy time of 'putting themselves out there' in foreign countries and making the first move to develop a friendship.  

Knowing that, I fully expected to move back to the United States with the same friends that we had had when we left Minnesota.  And perhaps we'd add to the list in the Netherlands (the only place we thought we'd live) because it would have clearly been hard to go three years just talking to each other.  Plus, now in Scotland, just about seven months before we leave this country, I find myself growing closer to women who come October will likely never share a continent with me again. 

Sigh.  But that's not the point of my writing today.

What I didn't expect to happen over the last three years was to create and foster friendships with people who are there.

In the United States.

While I'm over here in another part of the world.

.....

We sat around a table at Caribou Coffee on a Sunday morning last November.  Some of us had been communicating daily for a large part of the last ten months and this was the first time we would meet face to face.  We were missing a few essential parts of our group, but they were there in spirit. It was a day for the my record books.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be part of a group that has now stuck together for over a year on a tight knit, private group on Facebook. We offer each other support, advice and a few barbs (for competition's sake) here and there.

Its thanks to this group that I gained the love for exercise that I have in the last year.

And its thanks to a few of these ladies {perhaps a few that aren't even playing anymore} that I truly feel understood and cared for as I continue to try and figure out how to live a healthy lifestyle on an ongoing basis.

It was out of the blue that I found people that I can now call friends {and will be friends in person after I move} when I am thousands of miles away.

Seriously, a few of these people could have quite literally been sitting at a table across the aisle from me three years ago, and I would have never known.  And now, instead of being across the aisle, they'll be at my table.

I'm one lucky girl.

.....

Joining Kristen at Chasing Blue Skies for Out of the Blue again this week.  Take a quick second and find your way over there; it iss clear to me that you never know who you could find via the internet.  

Dear plane, take me home to my friends.

It's funny.

One minute I am thinking and feeling like I don't miss home a bit.  And then the next minute?

I wish I was on the next plane to the States.  

There are so many reasons why that feeling ebbs and flows. But today? Its all about my friends.

I am so happy that the friendships I have are strong enough to withhold the test of time.  They lasted thru almost two years in New Jersey and they will last the three years that we are in Europe.  I have no doubts.

Source: Uploaded by user via India on Pinterest

Things will change of course.  That is inevitable.  But we will still be friends.  Some friendships may take time to build back up...but then, maybe they won't.

Actually, they probably won't.

Because I have been smart enough to maintain the friendships that matter the most. That are the strongest.  That WILL withstand time and distance.

I have maintained friendships that are a two-way street.  That have give & take.  The friends I have in my life?  I could call them sisters.  Because they are like that for me.  They will always be there for me.

And, without a doubt, I will always be there for them.

Thank you God.  I am so lucky to have more MORE than one true friend.

* * *

Fast becoming one of my favorite link-ups: 

It's the little things: a brain. or maybe its bread?

From 'the big picture' yesterday, to the little things today.

Linking up with Lindsay, and making sure to make note of the little moments that I am so grateful for.

~  ~  ~

Earlier this week, I dropped J#4 off with her grammy, and J#3 and I had a mother/son date.  That doesn't happen very often.  Or, since J#4 was born, EVER.

So we headed to downtown St. Paul with Lori and her son Tony, a few of our very good friends.   Lori and I were so excited when we started having kids, because our boys ended up being being just one year apart in age {J#3 is younger}. We couldn't wait for play dates.

And then I up and moved on her.

But we DO visit.  So, on this visit, we decided to take the boys to the Children's Museum.  I am guessing I'll have a huge 'ole post about the day, but here are a few of my favorite "little things":

Play in motion. 

They almost make you think they are working together, don't they?  Hehe. 

A brain.  

Or bread?  

I'll let you decide.  Ha.  Haha. 

Oh.  And guess what?  Lori's daughter?  She's only about three months older than J#4.  

Can't wait for our shopping dates.

Although, I am sure our husbands can wait.  Don't ya think? 

Tuesday Top 10: Home Sweet Home

No worries.  This is NOT another post about the many homes we have lived in.

When I say "home" in this post...it is a bit more general, as in "Minnesota".  Where I have lived 30 of my 33 years of life {Funny, I almost typed 32 of my 35 years.  How can I age myself so easily, when I keep thinking that I am still 32?}

We {meaning J#2-J#4} are here in Minnesota for an extended visit.  Even though we have only missed one winter here, I may have forgotten how cold it gets.  And I may have said to J#1 that we could just head back to Scotland with him when he left...but I was totally kidding.

I do that sometimes. And how could I even say that?  We are so unbelievably blessed and lucky to have this opportunity.  I need to be thanking God {oh, and J#1 too, I guess} every day for the chance to get all of this quality time with family and friends.

I need to count our blessings.  Which are unlimited.  But, since this is just a blog post..and it is Tuesday...

Here are the top 10 things about being home in Minnesota {in no particular order}.

#1.  Snow?

Yup.  Snow.  Just went out and got some snow pants and boots for J#3 yesterday.  And can I just say...$24.99 for boots? For a 2 year old?  Geez.

#2. Favorite restaurants...with friends, of course.

I wish I could get to the point where I was gusty enough to take photos inside of places.  You should see the inside of this place.  When I am there, I feel like I have been picked up and placed in New York City. Dreamy.  And the big, fluffy snowflakes falling? Definitely added to the beauty of the evening.

#3.  Movies...also with friends.

Source: breakingdawn-themovie.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Breaking Dawn, Part 1.  Sigh.  I know they had to end it somewhere, so there could be a part 2, but...well.  I don't know.  Don't know where else I would have wanted them to end it.  But, I guess maybe I just didn't want it to end.  {wink}

#4.  Christmas cookies with who? Friends.

Ooops.  I might have started eating one.  Pretty sure it was broken.  {wink}.  Oh!  And do you see my mustard, ketchup & relish cookie?

#5. Having a baking assistant.

...And a nice BIG kitchen to bake in for a change.  But having the baking assistant (a.k.a.  my mom) was awesome.  Good company, she washed dishes and measured out the ingredients.  I almost felt like I could be on a cooking show.

#6.  Fun cousin moments.

J#3 went on to try and put his cousin B "to bed" several times.  Complete with a good night kiss.  Unfortunately, I was either too slow...or too quick, to get the money shot of the actual good night kiss.  And we may have tried to stage it quite a few times.  Guess I better get a quicker trigger finger!

#7.  Caribou Coffee.

Nuff said.

#8.  Living in a hotel.
Sort of seems like an oxymoron, right?  Being "home" but in a hotel?  But, it works pretty well for us, and provides routine for the kids.  Plus: no cleaning, full breakfast provided and a pool.  Need I say more?

#9.  Getting to see my niece E show off her mad gymnastic skills.

#10.  J#3 helping Grandma decorate her Christmas tree.  Priceless.

Linking up this week with:

Nicole @ Miss Mommy {who, when I win the lottery, I will by flying to Canada}

and

Amanda @ Oh Amanda

Thankful

J#4's birth day

J#3 turns 2

amsterdam, and the keukenhof

Source: etsy.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Easter, family photo success

playing with photo booth

ireland

Source: spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

nephew #1.  godson. 

nephew #2 and niece

friends.  old and new.  forever.

Source: mybodypeaceofmind.tumblr.com via Jenny on Pinterest

family.

and even more family.

Source: homegrownhospitality.typepad.com via Jenny on Pinterest

sneaky.

"sweets" standing & smiling.

loving.

thankful.

I hope you all enjoy relaxing and a few fun days with those who you care about the most and make you happy. Be it just your honey, or a huge extended family...either way, I hope you appreciate their presence.

I am spending the day doing a 5K {my first!}, and having probably TWO huge meals with all the fixens'.

Lucky I'm starting the day with run, right?  {wink}

It's the little things #5 :: friends & food

It's amazing how these weeks fly by so quickly.  Sunday {while pondering the next day is Monday and J#1 goes back to work} I am wishing for it to be Friday. 

Then it is.  And I get to reflect on the little things that made it the week that it was {mostly good, sometimes...eh}. But I choose to remember the good.  So here it is...

We are quickly winding down our time in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.  A week from today the movers will be packing up our furniture and we will be driving to Amsterdam for an overnight stay before we fly to Scotland.  Wow.  We will have lived here for a year.  To the day. 

So we spent some time last weekend taking a walk around the Centrum. And I spent time capturing our life while we were here.  {Is it just me who likes slightly overexposed photos outside?}

Slippers?  Yup, slippers.  I have been ADDICTED to Tuc Crackers {made by Kraft, they are my stand-in for Cheez-its}.  Right now they have a promotion running; buy three packs, get a free pair of slippers.  Perfect.  Now I can always remember those Tuc crackers.   {They have them in Scotland too, but I haven't seen the exact ones I have been married to here.  Oh well, perhaps it is time for us to go our separate ways.  For my waistline?  Probably a good idea.}

One of my {new} all time favorite photos.  Waiting for her homemade applesauce to be finished.

Speaking of the kitchen.  I finally caved.  J#1 has wanted a deep fryer.  Forever.  And people, wowza...deep fried french fries?  In the comfort of my own home?  Num. 

Capturing a moment in time.  J#3 has been in the habit of sleeping by the window/door in his room.  He was majorly anti-nap over the weekend, so I took advantage of it so I could get this photo and "remember the time he wouldn't sleep in his bed".  

Dinner out with friends {and a photo bomber}.  Seriously.  So rejuvenating to spend a night out without kiddos.

Can't wait to check out what other lovely bloggers have to say where the little things that they are grateful for this week.  Check them out over at Lindsay's blog: 

Inspiration Workshop: Vintage

Alright friends, you get TWO posts today!!

Do you want to know why?   Well, I am going to tell you anyways...

I WON one of the giveaways from Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop last week.  So that has inspired me to take part in it again!

Remember, she makes these great ruffled accessories, handmade in Minneapolis?  I won one of the medium zippered pouches.  Yippee!!  I picked out this one.

So this week, the prompt is VINTAGE.


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When I think vintage I think "older & awesome".  If it isn't awesome, well...then, it would just be old.

So my mind wanders.  Hmm, it seems to do that a lot these days.

But today when I think vintage I think of one of my oldest and best friends (as in have known the longest, not old as in age--but I am sure you already figured that out) and decorating with vintage items.

Yup.  I told you...my mind wanders.

So first up, the friend.  Hopefully she doesn't mind a few photos on here.

she loves my kids.  

she goes to chick flicks with me. 

she shops with me. 

she comes to all of my going away parties {or fake going away parties...a story for another day}

taken from my facebook page, so bad quality, small photo.  :-(

We've known each other since way back in high school youth group.  {If you ask me it's been longer, but we won't go there.}   Post college and pre-marriage we were roomies for a year.  She is J#3's Godmother.  And one of those friends I know will always be there when I need her.   What more could I ask for???  Love ya Colleen!

Hmm, how do I transition to decorating?  Come on...I wrote television news copy in college, I should be able to do this.  

Huh. Well, here we go.  Maybe with that last sentence I just made a transition. Yes?  

No? 

Oh well...for fear of this becoming the longest blog ever, I am just going to jump right in:

I've always thought of myself as more of a modernist, streamlined girl when it comes to decorating. Except when I am living somewhere for only a year (like our current place),  where it becomes a lot more about function (and what can be found at Ikea) than design, but I digress.   

Lately though, I have been falling for (and getting inspired by) things like this buffet from Victory Road's house tour: 

Source: victoryrd.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

and this awesome vintage camera display: 

Source: flipflopsandapplesauce.com via Jenny on Pinterest

or having a laundry cart to hold games or blankets: 

Source: thepleatedpoppy.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I am not lying either.  All three of those were on my pinterest "decodecodeco" board before I even knew this week's prompt was vintage.    Once we settle in at a place in Scotland, I have to imagine the vintage vibe will fit in just perfectly.  

Ah, inspiration, dreaming (of how to decorate) and friends.   Perfect trifecta for a Thursday.  

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Check out the link-up at Gussy Sews for what's inspiring a whole bunch of other lovely ladies.