Justine

Thriller???

Calling Friends back in Cincinnati!

Holidays are hard when we are far away from friends and family...

We do so miss them...

Beached Dolphin

Not very far away, was a dead dolphin... S0 so sad!

Finally back together as a family!!

Our new home!

After 5 months of being separated, we are together again... Well not quite, Alexi stayed behind to go to college. He is staying with the Johnson's. He is doing better, after trying a couple of medications for IBD, he has found one that works! I am so happy for him! It has been a hard few months for him.

We were able to close on our house in Cincinnati on November 4th. A week later, we closed on our little town home here in The woodlands Friday the 12th. Both houses were very hard to close, to say the least! But after feeling like we were on a roller coaster, it is all behind us! Now we can move on...

The kids have all started school. Justine is on the diving team, that is up there, they have Olympic medals! Emric got all caught up with his school work after starting 2 weeks late. And Amelie is making new friends fast. Mike has a new calling at church and I am nesting, unpacking, cleaning and exploring The Woodlands...  

Apres avoir ete separe pour 5 mois, nous sommes enfin ensemble a nouveau. Pas tous en fait, car Alexi est rester a Cincinnati pour aller a l'universite. Il va beaucoup mieux. Apres avoir essaye des medicaments different pour Crones, il en a un qui marche bien. Je suis si contente pour lui! Il a passe des mois tres difficiles dernierement.

Nous avons vendu notre maison a Cincinnati le 4 novembre et une semaine apres on a achete notre petite maison ici vendredi le 12 Novembre. Tout le stress de notre demenagement est enfin deriere nous! Cela n'a pas ete facile! Maintenant on peu continuer avec notre vie...

Les enfants sont dans leurs nouvelles ecoles. Justine a fait l'equipe de plongeon, qui est tres renomee (ils ont des plongeurs et entraineurs qui on des medailles olympics). Emric c'est rattraper a l'ecole, il a commencer 2 semaines en retard. Amelie elle se fait plein de nouveaux copins et copines. Mike a deja un apele a l'eglise, et moi, je m'installe dans notre nouvelle maison ( je deballe les cartons, nettoie etc...) et j'explore les Woodlands.

20 Year Anniversary...

Mike and I are in Jacksonville Florida waiting to embark on

The Carnival Fascination Boat tomorrow.

I am so excited! To tell you the truth...

I didn't want to come, or at least I wanted to reschedule this cruise

because of all the stuff we are going through.

But now that I am away from home, I am letting myself look forward to it.

I am gladly and gratefully going to take and enjoy the welcome break with pleasure.

Last night we went swimming in the oh.... so warm, and wonderful ocean...

It was so much fun!

I felt like a little girl again, jumping in the waves, and

flirting with my wonderful partner of soon to be 20 years.

No worries.

No stresses.

Priceless.

The Fascination Carnival Cruise Boat we are boarding tomorrow

Mike et moi somme en Floride a Jacksonville. On attend d'embarquer sur une croisiere.

J'ai bien hate... Pour dire la verite, avec tout ce qui se passe en ce moment,

je ne voulais pas venir, ou au moins, repouser la date, mais cela n'etait pas possible.

Mais maintenant que je suis ici, je vais bien apprecier et prendre

cette super escapade avec plaisir.

Hier soir, nous somes aller a la mer, l'eau etait super bonne.

Je me suis senti comme une petite fille a sauter dans les vagues

et a flirter avec mon epoux de bientot 20 ans.

Pas de soucis.

Pas de stress.

Precieux.

Needed Blessing

This past weekend, I couldn't take all the stress anymore, I felt like I was literally going to break. I just wanted everything to go away. I curled up in a fetal position in my bed (not a good sign).

I asked Mike for an overdue Priesthood blessing.

As he put his hands upon my head and gave me a blessing of comfort, faith, strength and patience, I literally felt all my stress, my worries, my fears and my doubts leave my soul. Those overwhelming feelings were instantly replaced with hope, love and peace...

It was like getting a shot in the arm.

I am so thankful for a husband who is worthy to minister to his family in a way

that blesses and enriches our lives, and keeps me sane!

Ce week-end passe, je ne pouvais plus porter tout le stress. J'avais l'impression que j'allais casse. Je voulais que tout disparaisse. Je me suis mise en boule dans mon lit (pas un bon signe).

J'ai demande a Mike de me donner une benediction bien attendue.

Des qu'il a mis ses mains sur ma tete pour me donner une benediction de confort,

de foi, de force et de patience, j'ai ressentis tout mon stress, mes soucis,

mes peurs, et mes craintes quiter mon ame.

Ces sentiments accablants ont etes tout de suite remplace par des sentiments de foi,

d'amour et de paix...

C'etait comme si j'avais recu une injection.

Je suis si reconnaissante d'avoir un epoux qui est digne de de ministrer a sa famille

d'une facon qui nous enrichi la vie et nous benis, et me garde saine d'esprit!

The Big Doughnut Machine

So here I am, at Cincinnati Children's Hospital watching Alexi go through this big doughnut like X-ray machine. We loved the stickers all over the walls of Nemo & Dori (my favorite). When asked what movie Alexi wanted to see as he got ready for his CT scan, he said Nemo, he just couldn't resist!

It's been an interesting and challenging summer for our family. On top of the "imminent move" and all the stress associated with it, Alexi has been quite sick since I took my first trip to Houston, the last week of June. After taking him to our Family Doctor, he was referred to a GI specialist at Children's.

It took about 2 months of testing for Alexi to be diagnosed with an Autoimmune Disease.

He is doing well, responding to the initial steroid treatment. He is also accepting pretty well his new condition. He turned 18 last week. I think it is a relief for him to know what it is, to get on medication, so he can get well and get on with his life.

As for me, it's been hard, I couldn't have gone through this summer without some serious support and help. Sarah has been a God sent angel, so has Justine and even Emric who have helped a lot by watering every day and getting the house ready for showings... I am so grateful for them. I know it's been hard on all of us, but we will make it through...

Sweet Sixteen - Good Bye Party

Justine turned 16. She had her first date with Dad who took her to Chinese for lunch, he gave her a blue opal necklace he had bought in Australia. She also went out with friends to dinner and a movie. They actually walked out of the movie because it was too inappropriate and got their tickets reimbursement. Good for them!!!!

For her big Sweet 16 Party, we did it at our good friends the Johnson's house, the Party house! About 30 teens swam, jumped on the trampoline (no, not all at once!), played Dance revolution on the Wii, laugh and chatted in the hot tub, ate hamburgers, cotton candy, icies, and popcorn. It was a very fun Party! They are such a great bunch of awesome kids!

Jusitne a 16 ans. Elle a eu son premier "date" avec son papa qui l'a gate de Chinoix, il lui a offer un joli collier achete en Australie: un opal bleu. Elle est aussi sortie avec un group d'amis le soir, repa et cinema. Ils ne sont pas reste longtemps car le film etait inaporprie, ils se sont fait rembourse leur tickets. Bien pour eux!!!!

Pour sa Sweet 16 Party, elle a ete faite chez nos amis les Johnson. Environ 30 ados ont saute sur le trampoline (non, pas tous ensemble!), joue dance revolution sur le Wii, ont rigole et discute dans le hot tub, on mange des hamburgers, barb a papa, glace, et popcorn. C'etait une super Partie! Ils sont un group d' ados genial!

New Mindy Cd Rocks!

I got Anchor just on time to take with me to Houston on my 2d house hunting trip.

I am listening to it as I drive around all those unfamiliar and new places.

PS: I love my GPS Anabelle!

Je l'ai recu juste a temps pour mon voyage a Houston pour trouver une maison.

Je l'ecoute en conduisant dans tous ces endroits nouveau et inconnu.

PS: J'aime mon GPS Anabelle!

An Awesome Girl!

I am so lucky to have Justine as my kid! As I have gotten the house ready to sell without Mike, Justine has been an inspiration, a motivator, and a helper to me at a time of need. She got me started and helped me at times when I felt so overwhelmed or discouraged. As soon as school was out, she spent hours helping me pack, organize, clean, carry heavy stuff, paint, and so much more... She has so much strength and stamina, at her age she can stick to a job until it is done, and that without complaining! She sees a need and gets to work. Just her presence has been a source of encouragement and strength for me.

She is simply Awesome!!!! I Love her so much! Thank you Beautiful for being there for your mommy! :)

Je suis tellement benie d'avoir un fille comme Justine. Elle m'a tant aider a un moment ou j'avais grand besoin. Preparer la maison a vendre sans Mike etais souvent decouragent. Des que l'ecole a etait fini, Justine m'a motive a commencer le travail, elle a passer des heures a m'aider a faire les cartons, organiser, nettoyer, porter les choses lourdes, a peindre, est bien plus. Elle a beaucoup d'endurence et de volonte. A son age elle sait finir un boulot, sans se pleindre. Elle voit un besoin et se met au travail. Elle a ete une source de confort et d'encouragement pour moi, just par sa presence. Elle est tout simplement Super! J'e l'aime telement! Merci Justine pour avoir ete la pour ta maman! :)

Imminent move....

So I have been putting off blogging about our imminent move... Mike left a contract job of 12 years (well not completely, he is still working for them part time). Anyway, he got a new contract job and unfortunately it's not in Cincinnati. We are going to be moving to Houston Texas. His last "official" day with Lyondelbassel was on May 28th and he started his new job for BakerHughes on June 3rd.

I still have a hard time believing we are leaving... Even though our house has been on the market since June 22.

I feel very lucky that he got a new job so fast, but very sad to be leaving Cincinnati... I love it here. I am very well settled. I am giving up a lot. A great neighborhood. A great Ward (Church). All my favorite little spots (like Sharon Woods to name just one). The drive to my home down Maud Hughes, with the beautiful trees forming a tunnel. The red barn with the sheep, it's little goats and lambs being so darn cute in the spring.

I guess I can find new favorite places in Houston, but I cannot replace people... I have some very dear friends here that I just can't replace!

One Fine Day. One Fine Dancer.

Pink Ballerina

Amelie is always so so pretty in her ballerina outfit, just adorable!

Amelie est toujours si jolie dans costume de ballerine, si adorable!

She is very sad to leave Sister Olson, she has been her teacher for 3 years now...

She has been such a wonderful teacher!
Elle est tres triste de quiter son institutrice de ballet, elle l'a eu pour 3 ans maintenant...

Elle est une maitresse merveilleuse...

Our First Senior Graduation!!!

Alexi made it! But, not without a lot of work his Senior year! We are so happy for him! To tell you the truth a year ago, we were really wondering if he was going to graduate. Once he made the decission, he went for it and did everything he needed to do make it happen.

This was also the first high school graduation that I attended in my life. It was quite interesting. I think it is a nice way of recognizing these kids and the hard work they have put in their education. I got a little emotional a couple of times, when the grads clapped and stood up for their parents, and when they were officially graduated and thru their (ugly) hats. It was so good to see Alexi so happy.

Alexi a reussi! Mais pas sans beaucoup de travaille de sa part pendant sa derniere annee de lycee. Nous sommes tres heureux pour lui. Pour vous dire, on ne pensait pas qu'il reussirai apres avoire echoue 2 ans de ses 4 ans de lycee. Mais une fois qu'il a pris la decision de graduate, il c'est mis au boulot et a fait tout ce qu'il a pu pour ratraper le temps perdu.

C'etait aussi la 1ere fois que j'allais a un "graduation". C'etait tres interessant, je pense que c'est une facon sympa de reconnaitre les jeunes qui reussissent et les efforts qu'ils ont mis dans leur education. J'ai etais un peu emu quand les enfant on reconnu leur parents en applaudissant et en de levant, ainsi que quand ils ont ete declare "graduate de 2010" c'est la qu'ils lance leur chapeux (qui son moche d'aillieur!) c'etait bien de voir Alexi si content!

Talk about Sex-Education

Emric- "Justine, guess what class I have to take in school this semester!"
Justine- "What?"
Emric- "Guess!"
Justine- "Emric, I'm not going to guess."
Emric- "Just guess."
Justine-"No."
Emric- "Okay, I'll give you a clue, it starts with an 'S.'"
Justine-"I'm not going to guess"
Emric- "Okay, I'll give you another clue, it ends in an 'X-ed.' "
Justine-"Emric, its ok to say 'sex-education.'"
Mom- "Really, Emric, when do you start?"
Emric- "I've been doing it for two weeks now."
Amelie- (spits out some food) "Emric's having sex?!"

Emric- "Justine, devine ce que je prend a l'ecole ce semestre!"
Justine- "Quoi?"
Emric- "Devine!"
Justine- "Emric, je ne vais pas deviner."
Emric- "Just devine."
Justine-"No."
Emric- "Okay, je te donne un indice, ca commence avec un 'S.'"
Justine-"Je vais pas deviner!"
Emric- "Okay, je te donne un autre indice, ca fini avec un 'X-ed.' "
Justine-"Emric, c'est ok de dire 'sex-education.'"
Mom- "A bon, Emric, Quand est-ce que tu commence?"
Emric- "cela fait 2 semaines que j'en fait."
Amelie- (en crachant ce qu'elle avait dans son bouche) "Emric a du sex?!"

Words to Remember

Me: How many kids do you want Justine?
Justine: At least 3... I don't really care how many I have; it will be fun!

I just had to put this in writing!!!!

Moi: Combien d'enfants tu va avoir Justine?
Jaustine: Au moins 3... Cela m'est egal combien j'ai, ce sera amusant!

Senior Prom

The first and only Prom dance Alexi has attended during his high school years. Heavena and Lex were so cute all matching and in black, of course... They started by taking a few pics, dinner at O'Charley, dance at the Sharonville Convention Center, and After Prom at their high school until 3:30am.

La premiere et seul "Prom" que Alexi a participe pendant ses annes de Lycee. Heavena et Lexi etaient tres mimi tout assorti et en noir biensur! Ils ont commence leur soiree avec petite seance photos, repas a O'Charley, dance a Sharonville, et Apres Prom enferme dans leur lycee jusqu'a 3:30 du matin.

I'm showering in the rain! Just showering in the rain! I'm happy again!

So today it rained really hard for about 10mn. 

Who was in his swimsuit taking a shower, with soap and all? 

He even used gutter water to get soap out of his eyes! 

We never know what crazy thing Laurent is going to do to make us laugh????

Aujourd'hui il a plus des cordes pendant 10mn, qui etait dehors a prendre une douche, 

avec le savon et shampoo? 

Il a meme utilise l'eau des egoutoire pour enlever le savon dans ses yeux!

On ne sas jamais ce que laurent va faire pour nous faire rire????

My Mother's Day...

Got breakfast in bed. Love the turnover that only had half of it on the plate :) My Honey forgot to spray the tray! He is not a big Cook...

Emric made me some eggs, his specialty!

Amelie made a mothers day card.

Justine gave me one of her great heartfelt hug.

Alexi mumbled Happy mother's day, after I reminded him what day it was.

Got to take a nap.

Spoke on the cam to my family in France.

Didn't need to cook.

Had dinner with not one, but two of our favorite families.

Cried a couple of times at church. I loved that our Bishop got up and spoke to us mothers after several talks on motherhood. He was so sensitive to our mixed feelings; we love being mothers, but often feel so imperfect and/or we fail too often in our roles, and/or compare ourselves with others. I heard once that we are so unfair to ourselves when we make comparisons, we take our greatest weaknesses and measure those against other women's strengths... it does us no good!

J'ai eu le petit dejeuner au lit. J'ai aime le fait qu'il manquait la moitie d'un des chauson aux pommes. Mon cheri a oublier le beurre pour pas que ca colle! :) c'est pas un grand cuisinier!

Emric m'a fait des oeux brouilles, sa specialite!

Amelie m'a fait une carte.

Justine m'a donner un de ces super gros calin...

Alexi m'a dit bonne fete (apres que je lui ai rappele quel jour on etait.

J'ai pu prendre une petite sieste cet apreme...

J'ai parler a ma famille en France sur la cam.

J'ai pas eu a cuisiner.

Nous avons mange avec pas une mais 2 de nos familles preferer.

J'ai pleure plusieur foisa l'eglise. J'ai beaucoup apprecie ce que notre bishop a dit a la fin des discours qui etait sur les roles des meres. Il a adresse le fait que le role de mere n'est pas toujours remplis de joie, que c'est dur, et que meme si on aime etre mere, cela ne veux pas dire que l'on n'a pas des moments ou on se sent faible, imparfaites et qu'on croit desfois qu'on échoue. On ne doit pas se comparer aux autres meres, quand on le fait on ne se fait pas justice car on compare nous faiblesses avec les forces des autres, on ne se donne pas de chance...

Freezer trouble!

I hate the feeling I get when I go down to the storage room in the basement, and see a puddle of nasty bloody liquid coming from my freezer... Since we have had that upright freezer, over the past 9 years, it must have happened at least 4 to 5 times.

I usually ignore it as long as I can... hopping it didn't happen.

I wish Mike was here to help, somehow he rarely is when this happens.

I survey the damage.

I get the kids to help carry things up stairs.

I call a friend, today Stephanie H rescued me! She took a lot of meet to cook at her house

Then I start cooking the meet, that takes hours.

I refreeze the cooked meet.

We are not sure what is wrong with it. Today, nothing got stuck in the door and no one left the door open ???? And it's working fine now????

My New Soul

In a effort to lower our monthly expenses, we sold our big Toyota Highlander, no more 7 seater. We got instead a little Kia Soul, with surprisingly lots of interior room and lots of character. I love zipping around town in it, it's a perfect car for me,just my size! My favorite feature is the trunk... so roomy, especially for Chloe and the groceries!

Dans un effort a reduire nos frais, nous avons vendu notre grosse Toyota Highlander, plus de voiture a 7 places. Nous avons achete a la place cette petite Kia Soul, qui a beaucoup de personalite et de place a l'interieur... J'adore me balader en ville avec, elle est parfaite pour moi et just ma taille! Ce que j'aime le plus, c'est le coffre, ya plein de place pour Chloe et les courses!

A Job for Chloe!!!

Some dog experts say that every dog needs a job to feel good about themselves. Chloe needs a job. After all, we all have jobs in our family.

After searching on the net for ideas of jobs for dogs, and not finding very many, especially for a young puppy, one came to me this morning. It is so perfect! Since Chloe is teething, (poor thing...) and needs things to chew, and I need to get rid of the boxes Mike tries to keep around the house as storage containers, it's a perfect match!

I give the dog the box.

It gets destroyed.

Chloe soothes her teeth and gums.

She leaves our shoes alone.

I won't have to buy new shoes.

I don't have to smash any more ugly boxes with my feet.

Mike gets to use all the nice storage containers he has bought.

And it saves money, you know the less shoes thing...

Des specialistes en chien disent que tout les chiens doivent avoir un boulot pour bien se sentir.

Chloe a besoin d'un boulot. Apres tout, chaque membre de la famille en a.

Apres avoir regarder sur le net pour des idees, et ne pas en avoir trouve beaucoup, surtout pour un chiot, un boulot m'est venu ce matin. C'est parfait! Comme Chloe se fait les dents, (la pauvre...) et a besoin de macher, et moi, j'ai besoin de me debarrasser des boites en carton que Mike essay de garder comme récipients de stockage, c'est parfait!

Je donne le carton a Chloe.

La boite est detruite.

Chloe apaise ses dents et gencives.

Elle laisse nos chaussures intact.

J'ai pas besoin d'acheter plus de chaussures

J'ai plus besoin de detruire ces boites moches avec mes pieds.

Mike peux utiliser tous les beaux, efficace récipients de stockage qu'il a achete.

Et on economise...

For a good laugh, go to Jobs for Dogs

written by a Harvard college med student I think...

Questions on a Rainy Monday Morning...

Sometimes, I do not like Monday mornings...

Today, is one of those mornings!

I have so many random questions...

It's been a month since we bought a new

faucet for our kitchen sink.

Still in the box in our dinning room...

Should I call "rent a husband" ?

In the dinning room, Chloe finished chewing on the decorative sticks Zorro had started on!

Why can't puppies chew their own stuff?
Why is Chloe so soft, adorable and cuddly?

In the office, Chloe riped up one of her red balls, it's all over the floor! She also leaves her toys laying around...

Can you train a dog to clean up after itself ?

My Desk is a fine mess...
Could somebody, anybody,
clean up after me once in a while?

The iron is out on the kitchen counter reminding me
I haven't ironed in over 2 months!
Isn't there a ironing fairy?

Why can't everything be wrinkle free?

I still need to finish my laundry from last week..
Why do people have to wear so many clothes?






Looks like we had a party all night in the kitchen!
When will kids do their chores when and how I want them to?

And why do they have to eat all the time?

Will they stop eating if I stop buying food?

What am I going to make for dinner?

Why do little girls make such big messes?

Why is little girl's art so darn cute?

Even my bed is a mess, my mess!

Can't I just stay in bed on this rainy cold Monday?

Why does the house look like a war zone on Monday mornings?

Why am I the only one who cares?

The kids will be home soon... since it's the afternoon now.

I'll just wait and hopefully get answers to some of my questions, maybe they'll know?

Then again, maybe I'll just go finish that laundry...

I could go take a shower too... Or maybe not today...

The Five doors to reaching your greatest Potential

While on a book tour in Cincinnati, the New York Times Best Selling Author Richard Paul Evans, came to our Ward building for a fireside last Sunday night. It was a very inspiring talk. I just wanted to recap the few points he made, I wish I could write down all the personal experiences he shared for each point, but I didn't take notes on those. They made him the success he is today and helped him come to understand these five doors to success...

He started by stating that we are all "special". We are somebody, and all have special gifts.

1. There is a reason why you are here. We all have a mission to fulfill. We need to learn to listen to that still small voice inside of us that will lead is to find and accomplish that mission. Keep the communication with the Divine open. We are all divine...

2. Release the bonds that hold you back. Forgive others and self.

3. Take risks. Do something with your special gifts. Don't be afrad to fail. You will fail. Think trial and error! If you have a dream, go for it!

4. When you hit road blocks, challenges, adversity, an you will, embrace them! Good grapes grow in poor soils... He spoke about his health condition "Tourette Syndrome" and how it made him who he is. We are who we are not despite our trials or trouble, but because of them.

5. In the end, the only real success is the ability to Love.

Love is not a feeling, it s a choice!

The hardest times to love will be to love the unlovable.

We love those we serve.

God Loves us just for being us.

Get off the roads!!!!

Last week, Justine got her Temporary Licence... Let me tell you, I am quite happy to have her drive with Mike! Got in the car with her for 5mn and that was plenty for me! It's a good thing my car is a stick shift, and she is definitely not ready for that, and neither am I!

La semaine derniere, Justine a recu son permis de conduite accompagnee. En tout cas, je prefere qu'elle fasse la conduite avec Mike! J'etais avec elle pendant 5mn, et cela m'a suffi! C'est bien que ma voiture ne soit pas une automatique, elle n'est pas prete pour cela... et moi non plus!

EGG HUNT

Could it be the Easter Bunny?