2 Years in Belgium

Today marks two years since we landed in Belgium and started life here. This past year has been very different from our first year here (in my opinion). We have adjusted much more to life in Belgium and though there are still challenges, we have come to appreciate much about life here. Of course we still struggle with missing things about home and friends and family, but I feel like we have eased into a way of life that works for us...and we are happy here. We have continued to choose to make Gent our home and not constantly compare or wish we were somewhere else. Although there are tough days from time to time, we are happy.

One of the biggest things I've observed over the past year is that Belgium really does feel like home, or more normal. You might recall a couple of posts I wrote a while ago about the differences between here and the U.S. With the exception of my Belgian birthing experience (which I still need to write about), I feel like I would have to think really hard about it to write another substantive post like the ones above. Instead, I am starting to feel like I could write those posts when we go back to the U.S. It's weird, but things sometimes feel strange when we go home...and it can be frustrating. This is not to put down where we are from in any way because we do love it there. But it's hard to go back and be so different. We have changed and grown a lot these past two years and are not the same people who stepped off that plane two years ago. Our outlook on life, our exposure to so many nationalities and personalities, our willingness to challenge ourselves and step out of our comfort zone...these things have changed us. At the same time, things have moved on back home. This is not the first time I have talked about this, but it's hard to go and try to fit back into our lives in the U.S. Life moves on and we can feel a drifting apart. It's more of a struggle to see how we fit into the life that we once had. This revelation is both exciting and sad; Exciting because I think we are becoming more open to the things in life that God may have for us, but sad because we also see the life we had and loved fading away.

Because we are feeling more at home here, the loneliness and some of the other struggles (hello grocery shopping) that I had the first year are also fading away. Instead, I can see the enormous ways that God has blessed us this year from the experiences we've had, to the people we've met, to the places we've traveled, to the opportunities we've had to grow and serve, to the beautiful addition to our family. I am in awe of the things that our children are getting to experience at such a young age! I still have moments of panic when trying to plan for the future, just as I did before we came and all throughout the first year, but I think those moments are more few and far between these days then a year ago.

I am extremely thankful for this opportunity to grow, see the world, and stretch ourselves as a family. It's been a great year full of many of blessings. We thank God for surrounding us with such a wonderful community who have supported us and walked with us on this journey. I have no doubt that they will continue to walk beside us as we move into year three in Belgium! We look forward to many more fun adventures in Gent and beyond!  

A post from me would not complete without some pictures...so here are some highlights from the year!

Our family at the beginning of 2014

Cologne, Germany

Tenerife, Spain

Our family now...

Happy Birthday Harrison!

It seems hard to believe that we just celebrated Harrison's second birthday this past Monday. Harrison has definitely changed a lot since his last birthday, but probably most notably in the last couple months in his physical and speaking ability. Last year on his birthday, he was still very unsteady on his feet, doing a lot of wobbling around, and not really talking at all.

There has been a lot of growth this past year…physically, verbally, and emotionally. Harrison, or bunga bear, as we affectionately call him (don't ask me where that came from?!), has turned into another little wild man in our house. He has grown a lot and now has a ton of crazy blonde hair, which was cut for the first time this past year. He now runs, jumps, sings, kicks and throws balls, counts, plays instruments, talks up a storm, and has really established his own little place within our family. He is still very much like me in his personality…he's observant, opinionated, ornery, strong-willed, extremely expressive, a bit dramatic, not easily amused, and independent. He plays so well on his own and definitely enjoys his space and quiet time, but he also likes to snuggle and has such a sweet spirit. However, he also received some of my not so appealing qualities. For example, like me, he is very mellow and calm...until he is not. He is easy and go with the flow most of the time, but he can go from totally fine to complete meltdown in a millisecond! Thankfully, there is much more calm than crazy from him, at least for the moment.

Look at those ornery eyes and smile!

Some of my favorite developments of the last year include his love of hugs and kisses, his growing interest in reading books, his love for food and eating (just like his mommy), his sense of humor, his infectious laugh, his mischievous smile, his love of being chased and tickled, our growing conversations with him, his growing imagination, family music time that now includes Harrison singing at the top of his lungs, his love of all things that are big and move including, trains, cement trucks, garbage trucks, cranes, planes, etc., his little voice saying "camen", a.k.a. Cameron, the way he sucks his tongue when he's tired, and his desire to do and be everything just like his big brother.

We decided we would do a small party with family to celebrate this birthday because Cole needed to travel over Harrison's actual birthday. When we asked Harrison what he wanted to for his birthday, he told us with unashamed and complete confidence that all he all he wanted was donuts! We asked him this question at least a dozen times and the answer never changed, so donuts it was. We celebrated with a little homemade donut cake and presents. Harrison was thrilled!!

Boxes are the best!

Finished product!

On Monday, his actual birthday, we started the day with our birthday tradition…birthday pancakes! I think I need to work on my skills a little bit, but Harrison liked his pancake regardless.

The birthday boy

Trying to show me two fingers...

We settled for one finger on each hand

Harrison's birthday pancake

In the afternoon, we were excited to welcome my parents to Belgium! We met them at the train station, which is a gift in and of itself for the boys (watching trains), but hey were also very excited to see grandma and grandpa!

In the evening we enjoyed dinner that consisted of meatballs (one of Harrison's favorite foods), and another donut. Unfortunately, Harrison decided, right on cue, that he would officially welcome the terrible twos into our world by having a several hour meltdown/freak out before dinner. I tried everything from snuggles to discipline to isolation to singing and talking to reading and everything in between to calm him down, but nothing worked. It really was the worst meltdown I have ever seen from a child. Despite my dad and Cameron physically getting in the crib and being so overly silly to try to get him to laugh, it was not until his beloved meatballs were served that he finally calmed down. Thankfully, we were able to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Meatballs!!!

Harrison is such a joy and a gift. He is a unique and wonderful part of our family and we are so thankful for this precious little boy!! Happy birthday sweet bunga bear…we love you so much!

Happy New Year!

Gent is so beautiful this time of year. There are lights and decorations all over the city and a winter festival with a Christmas market (food, gifts, etc.), rides, and other fun things to do with the family. I was excited to get back after our trip to the U.S. so we could catch the tail end of the holiday festivities.

Street by our loft

Giant ferris wheel in town

Christmas market with the Belfry tower in the background 

Rides

Top of the ferris wheel

Top of the ferris wheel

Harrison LOVED the fries!

There is also an ice skating rink in the middle of town. We had a great time teaching the boys (and trying to remember) how to skate!

I remember being here at this time last year to look for a place to live, schools, etc. It was beautiful, and still is! As I think back over this past year, I am so amazed by what has happened. We sold our house, our cars, packed up all our things, moved to another continent, and started a life here. We have had some of the highest highs and lowest lows this year. We have faced many fears, been pushed beyond what we thought we could handle, and had some struggles, but we have also experienced God's provision in ways that we never have before. This year has been exhilarating, scary, frustrating, fun, stressful, and completely amazing all wrapped up in one! I can honestly say that I have never experienced a year like this before in my life. I think Cole would agree with me when I say that we have grown in our marriage, as parents, in our faith, and as individuals more this year than ever before. and we have received so much support from friends and family back home as well as new friends here in Belgium. We even had some amazing friends and mentors from home offer to drop everything and fly here when we were going through a specific struggle and needed support. I can't think of one time this past year where God did not provide us with exactly what we needed to get through a struggle, or fear, or stressful situation. This year hasn't always been easy, but this opportunity already has been so worth it! This experience has forever changed us and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to grow, learn, and experience this journey with my family! Happy New Year…I'm looking forward to much more traveling, fun, friendships, and life in 2014!