Silence...????

We have been told that sometimes, when young kids enter a new culture where a new language is spoken, that they will stop talking altogether for awhile.  It seems like they just need to figure out what is going on, and then they will get back to normal.  So we came to France prepared...but didn't have to worry :)  The only time there is silence around here is when Addie is sleeping.  Just tonight, she had to go to the bathroom and was chatting a little too much to concentrate on what she was doing, so I left her alone.  As soon as I walked out the door, I hear her yell, "Mommy, I need some privacy!" over and over again, followed by "Are you giving me some?"  Hmmm, I'm not sure she quite gets the concept of privacy yet :)

Thanks for praying for her.  Her transition has been going really well.  It has actually helped me in knowing that she likes it here.  She loves our new apartment, her new toys that she received from a little girl who just left here, and is getting to love the nursery that she is in 4 days a week.  God really knew what he was doing when he gave her to us.  She brings so much joy to us every day.  I'm not sure we would survive this without her!

Our apartment

Happy Birthday to our favorite person in the whole world!

Addie and I just wanted to wish Daddy a Happy Birthday!  We love you!

Are you as smart as a 5th grader?

After today, I sure don't feel like it.

Part of our required reading before we came here mentioned that what often causes culture shock is not necessarily any one overwhelming aspect about the new culture, but that so many little things are now different. It seems like that right now as nothing has been incredibly difficult, but nothing is easy. 

I especially feel this in class right now and today was only the first day. Typically, in every class I've been in or sermon I've listened to, I can take a 1 minute (sometimes longer) mental break and pick back up without missing much. Today, I had a few times where I took a 10 second mental break and then have the teacher ask, "Do you comprehend?" To which, I must honestly say, "I have no idea." We also did an exercise where we had to spell and pronounce the names of other countries in French and I realized, I only know the correct french spellings of a few countries in the whole world. That left me wondering if I could even compete on a French version of "are you smarter than 1st grader?"

Needless to say, my brain hurt at the end of class today worse than it ever has.

The adventure of grocery shopping

I thought since I had taken French before and can sort of get by in simple conversations that the grocery store would be no problem here!  Well, it has been a little overwhelming to say the least, but we haven't starved yet (thanks to hot dogs and "Tennessee" hot dog buns).

A few things that have made us smile though...

Apple juice that actually tastes like apples!  I never noticed that apple juice just tastes like sugar until I had it here,  where there is actually an apple flavor!

Baguettes and Nutella...need I say more?

And in the "Ethnic Food" Aisle?  Tex-Mex and Pepperidge Farm Chocolate Chunk Cookies!

I'm still trying to figure out the cheese section though...can't seem to find the American or cheddar.  Oh well, I'm sure someone will culture me soon enough.

And just an extra to make you smile!

We're here!

We're here, we're tired, we still haven't finished unpacking, but yes, we will get pictures up soon, just give us a few days :)

A funny story...we thought we were doing pretty good last night, got Addie to bed about 8, we went to bed then too, thought we might sleep through the night and get over jet lag soon.  Well, Addie decided it was just a nap and was up in our room at 11:30 which led to some late night playing with toys and then Shrek at 2:30!  Thankfully she only made it about 1/2 an hour.  Hopefully tonight goes a little more smoothly.

"Leeeeaaavin' on a jet plane...."

In 12 hours we will be on a plane headed to France! (via Chicago).  We are so excited to finally be on our way to prepare ourselves for ministry in Senegal.  Please pray for the next few days as we travel and settle in to our new apartment in France and then begin school on Monday.  Hopefully our next post will be from Paris!!!!