Bonjour!

We are now living in Brussels!  We arrived at the airport with 10 suitcases, 5 carry-on bags and 5 personal items.  Winter clothes are bulky and I wish we could have packed more "things".  The flight went very well and I must say I'm happy to not have anyone in diapers.  The house we will occupy is not yet ready to be lived in so we are living in a temporary home right now, which I am very happy about.  We were emailed the location of our house an hour before we left for the airport so up to that point I was a little anxious about where we would sleep that night.  The kids have been great considering the circumstances.  I will now let you in on a little secret that I learned that goes against everything I have been told.  Almost no one here speaks English.  That being said, I’m sure if you come here on vacation most of the tourist spots people will speak English, but if you plan on living here, it’s another story.  Each day I’m a little more apprehensive about going out in public knowing that when people talk to me I won’t know what they are saying or how to respond.  I know how to tell them my name, how old I am, what nationality I am, where my husband works, what I like to do on the weekends…but so far, no one has asked me those questions at the grocery store or on the bus.  I’m still a little surprised in how much interaction actually occurs at a store when shopping.

We had someone come to clean the gutters this week and although a lot of words were exchanged, I found we had only 3 words in common.  Bonjour, toilet and okay.  It was quite the conversation.  I was able to catch enough to know that he couldn’t reach all of the gutters and will come back next week.  I’m going to try to learn another word or two before then.  On the upside, Sabrina said my gesturing is pretty good.  Who knew?!  It may get even better.  I’m starting a French class in January and am excited more than I think anyone can imagine.

The kids are starting school in January and have a few weeks off.  Anyone who would like to make an impromptu trip to see us will be welcomed with open arms.  (Speaking French is a plus).  My attempts to keep every one entertained all day every day with a box of legos, a couple games, paper and glue sticks are not going as well toward the end of the week as it did the first few days.  While our house is nice we are missing the luxuries we have grown so accustomed to:  books and libraries, television and the internet, just to name a few.  I now have limited (timed) internet usage and am very excited.  I'm going to download a movie and a game or two tomorrow and the younger ones in our household will be overjoyed. 
I have a couple of people from church that have been most helpful.  I was shown where the bus stop, the school and the metro were so I didn't have to go there sight unseen the first time.  I had help buying a metro/bus pass for the first time here and I don't know if I would have been able to do it on my own.  Trust me, it's harder than it sounds if you don't know how it works and what methods of payment are acceptable.  Tomorrow someone is taking me to the commisary.  I have never been to one but I am looking forward to it.  Even Nicholas has been counting down the days.  (He has requested a night light).  I feel like I am setting up house again.  I need things like a vaccuum, broom, shower curtains, pans so I can cook in the oven, food...I better take a list and try to keep it so I can at least seem organized.
I'll find my camera cable soon and upload some pictures of things we have been doing.  Stay tuned!