Blog and new blogger!!!

So I've gone ahead and started a new blog! So once you finish reading this head on over ther and add it to your reader! WWW.SeeBeckyBlog.Blogspot.com
So today I got to go an have my feast at Wingers.. Very delicious! But I had to keep it easy so I didn't get too sick! But don't worry... I didn't!
I've bought loads of clothes and I am very happy to say that I bought some pants for work in 2 sizes smaller then when I left for Holland a year ago! I am really missing Martine and the kids! Today is Thijs' Birthday and I wish i was there to experience it all! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIJS!!! I love you!
I have gotten to do quit a lot of hair this week! Colored Laura's hair... Cut 2 of my lil cousins hair... Grandpas, Mom's and Adams! As well as coloring my mom's hair... So yeah... And I have to say I think I have done a wicked job on each of them!!! I think I'm pretty dang great for having taken a break! So now I just can't wait to go get my hair done!!!!!
www.SeeBeckyBlog.blogspot.com

Home Sweet Home...

So I'm home.. In Utah.. It's such a wonderful and strange thing... And of course I haven't been home long enough to hate things yet hahaha! yeah.. I don't know why I just really don't feel like blogging one bit! I have loads to write... but nothing to say... or maybe its the other way around! Yeah... The flight was way long... But nothing too crazy happened... we got through everything very easily! And what was really nice was that we got to fly Economy Plus... so we had extra room and leg room! And on the first flight it was really uncrowded! So that was super nice! We had no problems what so ever in customs and ended up keeping out Visa's... From Holland that permitted us to be in then country... Yeah we thought we would have those taken away!!!! Got home Late late! around 12:15 and got to sleep around 2 I'd say... I tried to stay awake the whole time so I could sleep the night away... I was quite successful until around the Valley of Fire on the drive home.. and I began to fall asleep off and on till we got home.. Tess did a great job talking to my mom... But she did get a couple winks of sleep on the plane... so we evened out I'd say!
Yesterday I spent the day at home and my brother and sister in law came over with lil miss Lucy my niece I hadn't seen yet! She is so cute and sweet! Oh man I love her so! I was also really excited to see my little brother Adam he is doing really good... I also went to Walmart and got the things to make Stampot for dinner!!! Yummy yummy!!!
Today I couldn't get myself to sleep in... So I got up and did my moms hair and ate breakfast with her.. Then I got Adam up and ready for the bus... After that I cleaned the kitchen and went back to sleep for a bit... Laura went to class and I took her.. I spent some time with my Mom at her school... it was very nice... Then I did some shopping at Ross... I bought 6 shirts, 1 dress, 1 pair of leggings and 1 shrug... all for only $50.. I'm pretty great huh... Then later I went shopping at Target and bought 2 more shirts for a total or $5.50!!! I'm really great...
So yeah... That's about it... So far so good... I'll let you know more when more happens.

Final blog.

This is it... The last blog in Holland.. There just really are no words right now. And certainly no words which I haven't written already... Maybe I should steal a page from Rachael.. And do a list blog... Here are some things I will miss and that I will always be grateful to have experienced...

1. Thijs, Jet and Martine. My list must start with them. They have made my experience... I love them all so much.. And leaving them hurts like leaving family.. And knowing you aren't ever coming back. I mean yes I know I will see them again.. one day... But not anytime soon... And it will never ever be the same again... I really love them all so much!

2. The bike... I love riding the bike.. Even when it's winding and I genuinely am hating my life.. I really do love it! It's so nice to get out and fill your lungs with fresh air!

3. Speaking Dutch... Not that I actually speak it.. But I am pretty freaking great for one year and no lessons! I love it! It's nice to speak it now and second nature.. And when I go home.. I know.. I will drive my family and everyone crazy with it! At first they will think its funny and cool.. But after a while... they will hate it! And I will have to stop.. I will begin to forget it.. And one day I will only know Thank you and... I dunno.. NO. That's just a sad thought!

4. Dutch food! Frinkfadels, Kroukets, frites, frite sauce, shoarama, worst, stampot, hagel slag, pasta (nutella), crispy M&M's, Spa water, and all the other things I enjoy so much.. That just taste Dutch.. I really hated it at first.. or rather.. was annoyed that no matter what I made.. It tended to taste Dutch.. But now.. I am accustom to it and enjoy it! I will miss it...

5. Knuffels!!!! Kissje's!!!! I love the sweet little kisses Thijs gives me when we say goodnight... And the crazy 4 year old boy kisses he gives me when I pick him up from Margot's! And the Hugs he gives me and he wraps his little arms all the way around my neck! Or as tightly as he can around my stomach! I love the little Spankje kisses Jet gives me at night when she has her pacifier in already... And the runny nose kisses I got for months on end! And when I'm cooking dinner she likes to come up and kiss and hug my legs.. Just to let me know she's there... I love them all!!!! Every single one I've gotten! I also love the Dikke Knuffle and Kiss from Thijs that knock me over onto the floor!

6. Public Transport! I love the buses and trains and trams and everything out here! It's so easy and earth friendly! I love taking the train to where ever I want to go! It's nice and easy and I get to listen to my music and read!

7. Teaching Thijs and Jet.. whether its English or how to say please instead of telling me to just do it! I love teaching them... It's so nice when I tell Thijs something.. And one day.. weeks later.. He will remember it and repeat it! I love it!

8. The Beatles... Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds!!! I have loved sharing, as best I can, music that the kids Dad listened to. I mean I dunno... Maybe that wasn't his favorite band.. But they liked it.. He had the CD's... So even though I didn't know Philip... I tried to share a little bit of their Dad.. and I suppose me.. with Thijs and Jet... I really hope they can always keep that with them... I know I will...

9. Dutch People! I LOVE the Dutch! At least the Dutch I know! I haven't met too many I didn't like... Sorry don't think I'm prejudice.. But whatever.. maybe I am.. I did meet Moroccans an Dutch I didn't like.. but Dutch? Love them! I do feel sorry for the Au Pairs I know who worked in the Gooi.. that's like the hoighty toighty part of Holland... Those ladies I think.. aren't the best example of Dutch people... I'm so glad that I got to live out here with Martine and not live with the stuck up bunch! Dutch people.. are very hospitable people! Always invite you in for a cup of coffee! They also are pretty straight forward tell yah like it is people! I like that! That's the kind of people I like.. That's how I try to be! There's also this certain level of laid backness that really suits me! Also! They are smart people! Speaking English, French, German and that's just the 3 main ones that people speak! It's really awesome! Yeah! I just love the Dutch!

10. All the wonderful people I've met... All of Martines family is so wonderful to me! And I dunno.. I just really love them all! Her parents are so great! I hope they will come see me in Utah soon! Lise.. I mean.. She is just such a wonderful person.. very open and honest.. And she just has a beautiful spirit! Myriam and Nils and family! They have been really so wonderful to me! I mean I should give Myriam her own little number... She is the one who convinced me to stay! And then sent me to meet Martine... So I mean.. I am so grateful to her!!! Plus she and Nils are such a hoot! I know they think I am over there so much to see Tess! But it's to see them I tell you!!!! ;) I really think they are wonderful people! And I will really miss them! Margot and Floor... Margot takes care of the kids and Floor is her daughter.. They are always so nice and sweet to me... Margot is always someone I can talk to.. Even though we started out with me knowing almost no Dutch and her English.. so so... We managed to make it work and get along so great! Floor is her daughter who is in college.. she always was so nice to talk to and I wish we would have hung out sometime.. Another time I suppose! Our neighbors.. So great! Sanders always helping me with that #2 on my list!!! flat tires and all! And Jeanie always lovely to talk to and so sweet! Along with her sweet daughters!!! The Jufs! The Teachers at Thijs school were always so great with Thijs and I always enjoyed bringing him so I could talk to them! Oh and I must not forget the Vorstenborsch... Even after everything.. I still love them! And I can't even regret the things I leaned with that whole thing!

11.. Watching TV with Thijs... HE is so sweet.. he loves to sit on my lap when he watched movies.. I am very comfy I think.. So he just sits right on my lap.. leans his head against my shoulder and holds my hand.... Its too sweet! Yah just wanna melt! Then I lean my head on his.. and we just sit very happy together... I will really miss that.. And everyday I think.. I hope my kids turn out this great! I hope that they are sweet and gentle.. But not mama's baby's... I want them to be just like Thijs!

12. Jetje's Laugh! She is the FUNNIEST 2 year old you will ever meet! She is always laughing.. at least when she isn't crying and being 2... And she is always trying to make us laugh! I really love it!

13. Lucky 13 is saved for Martine.. I have learned so much from her.. About everything! I mean it.. You name an area in life... I've probably learned something from her.. And I really hope that I can end up as strong and positive as her! I cannot describe how much I appreciate her! I will really miss her and the bond we have... Like she said.. We're sisters.. I just really love that woman a lot!
Yeah.. Very long blog.. but it's the last one in the Netherlands.... So it's allowed... I am so excited and horrified... and depressed and ecstatic! All at the same time!!! So! Yeah... And I swear when I get home I will bust out a thesaurus! I need another word other than Love.. But in the end.. That's the only word to describe how I truly feel.. About this whole experience.. And the people I've shared it with! Like our favorite band the Beatles say.. All You Need is Love!

flight 947

yep its all confirmed... And indeed I shall be back in the states... its all very strange. I know I keep saying that. and blogging that. But its like Martine said.. Its just weird.. I'll just be gone... Here today gone tomorrow. Well not tomorrow... but quite soon! January 9th... will in a blink be the 10th. then 11th... and BLINK! It's the 12th and I'm on a plane flying non-stop for 8 hours to Washington DC and another 5.5 to Las Vegas... And BLINK! I will have been home in Utah for a week... Blink BLINK! I've been home for a month and forgetting my Dutch and not riding a bike. BLINK! It all happens way too fast!

I know you all wish blink! This blog is over.. But I suppose that after a year I should stop apologising for my blogs.. You wouldn't read them if you didn't want to... At least not after a year... Wow... Its all so weird! Thijs went to his first day of real school... He will start it the day after his 4th birthday in 2 weeks... So today they had him go for half a day... And next Friday another half day... Then the Monday a day as well... Until he is a big boy and going full time... He's so grown up now! Its very icy out today again! So I hope to go out and take some pictures! I plan to walk... not fall... on the icy canal in front of our house.;.. That should be quite fun!

Amaia the new au pair is doing great! Today when Martine left to take Thijs I was like.. Umm I'm just gonna go upstairs and leave you and Jet alone... Of course everything went great! I think it will take her a couple weeks.. But She'll be really great!

So yeah.... That's it. Till tomorrow!

Oh me... oh my.. all the time.

So yes I think that Tess and i have both lost... So yah know.. WE... we can both just enjoy a meal at Mimi's together sometime.. I'm not so sure when.. Since I think I am eternally poor.. But sometime indeed. So Amaia the new au pair arrived yesterday... Boy oh boy its a bit exhausting.. Because every single move I make.. I must explain it to her.. And what is second nature to me now.. I have to think about it... And she does try.. But her English isn't so great... So when I talk like I normally talk.. she is really really lost! So I have to speak extra slow.. and explain myself frequently.... Today I took her shopping and explained what to buy and why and blah blah.. Martine will just have to adjust till she figures everything out.. Because no matter what I do.. The 3 days I have to train her with... Will not be enough.. We also took the bike to get the kids.. She rode home with them.. She did a really great job! I can only imagine how she is feeling.. Martien probably doesn't know how hard it actually is for a first time au pair.. trying to adjust to everything new.. I mean I was new to her.. But really all my really awkward adjustment was done before arriving to her house.. So yeah..
haha.. yeah I guess in Spain they eat at like 9 am.. then 2 or 3pm and then dinner at 9, 10 or 11pm!!! Which is so different from us! Yah know.. We eat at 730am then lunch around 12ish and dinner is around 545 or 6pm.. That's just how you do it.. especially with children.. so she is having a hard time with that.. And to top it off the poor girl hasn't really enjoyed anything we've eaten yet... Last night was chicken legs.. she doesn't like to eat chicken off the bone... and tonight fish.. she doesn't like fish.. and I have a sneaking suspicion she wasn't impressed by the mashed potatoes either! haha! Like I said to Martine.. The Dutch they have 4 food groups... Bread, Worst (meat), Potatoes and Bread! So yeah.. It does take some getting used to! I imagine even more so with Spanish food to Dutch! Haha!
Well the time is flying by.. I'm really freaking out about going home.. I mean I'm not.. But whenever I think about it I do! It's like just as bad as when I came here!!! It's gonna be so weird!!!!! Like a huge culture shock! I mean of course it's my real life there.. so I will get used to it.. But it will take some adjusting... I think I like how I am out here.. and when I get home.. I will loose my Dutchness and gain my Utardedness again... yah know.sheesh. 4 more whole days in Holland... And % whole days till I arrive in Utah! So weird! I mean.. I really am having a hard time with it.. I so don't want to go! I mean.. trust me.. I love all my family.. that's the only reason I even consider coming home! Why I am so excited! But.. I mean I really Love it out here.. I love living here.. Of course I have loads of things to complain about.. But who doesn't! I am gonna miss Martine, Jet and Thijs just too much! And today I had to say goodbye to Margot.. Who the kids go to.. And we both were crying! It was so sad... I mean like.. I want to cry about everything! I mean... I wont lie.. I do have something coming up that aids the need to cry.. haha.. But I think I would be anyway! That just makes it worse.. I really think I'm gonna have to go Xanax tonight.. and like the rest of the time here! haha!

Skipped a day indeed...

Yah know last night I was tired and I was just like.. eh whatever.. I have a spare day and only 7 more days of blogging.. I'm tired I will just go to bed.. I didn't turn on teh computer at all.. So yeah.... Martines sister, and her son and boyrfriend Gijs and Antwan came over yesterday.. To set up teh au pair room...
The room looks great... Amaia will be here tomorrow.. as long as teh strikes for teh airlines in Spain don't continue.. And I will ahve teh lovely task of training her.. And Since I leave in one week.. We decided to just leav me downstairs and let her move right into the new au apir room... Well... Sorry it is indeed a short blog.. I have to go watch America's Next Top MOdel!!!! Peace!..

Sorry no spell checkin tonight!!!!

Alkmaar... nice day...

Today I went to see my previous Dutch Family.. I left the house at 820 am.. on my Saturday morning and rode the 1 and half hour train ride to Alkmaar.. Once I got off the train I sighted the kids.. It was really really nice to see them!!!! I gave them all hugs and kisses and they gave them back.. And Tanja got out of the car and gave me a great big hug and kiss too! It was, like I said really nice.. We went to a skating rink.. and I have to say.. I am not a skater.. The idea of sliding uncontrollably around an icy surface.. With every move being a chance to break something.. It's just not my thing.. But... It was a very nice idea.. So I did it! I only fell once! Granted.. I did spend the whole time holding the railing.. I thought I did pretty dang great! Melvin.. The ice superstar! He was gliding around like no problem, and twirling and showing us all up! After 45 mins of skating we took a break with hot cocoa.. chocomel.. and a cookie... I took my skates off.. They didn't go back on! Melvin, Marcha and Menno went back out on the ice and Michella and I got to spend the next 45 mins talking. She is such a sweet heart so it was nice to talk to her and see how her life was going...
A little after noon we headed back to the house.. Peiter was there he made us some Poffertjes for lunch and some "American" style pancakes, they were oh so tasty! After that Tanja had to leave and the kids and I played their new Wii for a couple hours.. It was fun cause we just kinda got to hang out and laugh and have fun! Marcha.. Was odd.. She spent the whole time.. like the WHOLE TIME on my lap! giving me kisses and such.. Which is odd.. because she was usually so against me.. But she knows now she liked me! And Menno had so much fun playing dead with me! I felt like I was neglecting the older ones a bit.. But the younger ones were demanding my attention! haha! So after the Wii games we played Candy Land.. The one I gave them.. Marcha wanted to play it with me.. after a couple rounds of that the younger ones headed upstairs and I got some quiet time with the older kids and Peiter.. we did.. What else.. Play Phase Ten.. I brought it.. They always loved playing it so I brought it so they could have it.. I know its beat up and such.. But they were happy.. Peiter told me later that they already had one.. They found it out here.. But Michella is very sentimental.. So she was happy to have it! Well at the end of the night Peiter made me a yummy dinner.. Since I really needed to leave before they would have dinner..just cause I didn't want to get home so late!
The goodbye's were really nice.. Marcha of course was full of more hugs and kisses and didn't want me to go! Menno said he didn't want any kisses or hugs.. And Peiter told him I was going back to America so he wouldnt see me.. but he still didnt want one.. So I said it was ok.. I didn't want one.. hehe... Hugged and kissed my pal Melvin.. Then to Michella.. She had tears all in her eyes when she said goodbye.. I promised her I would see her again... And gave her another big hug and kiss! But don't worry.. Menno ran up to me on the way out.. I grabbed him and gave him a great big hug! Peiter drove me to the train station.. But as we were pulling outta the house Tanja pulled up. She jumped outta the car and ran over so I jumped out.. Gave her a great big hug and kiss and we said our goodbyes.. And when we got to the train station I got another great big hug and kiss from Peiter.. It was nice... I was so worried how it would go.. I knew they were too.. Because as the day went on it was easier yah know.. And i felt liek they really did care about me.. And it was the proper goodbye we should have had.. Not the one we had back in the end of March... So all in all.. Happy fun day!