Kellee One, Peacock Zero

Maybe my sensibility was off, maybe I've become cold hearted, maybe I'm the boss and not the peacock! But last night against my better judgment I released a very excitable dog on that peacock who dared to wander back into my yard! And I forgot that the gate was still open, so...
Rest assured the peacock is still alive, although he may need therapy for the rest of his life. My reward for the dog's hard work is a collection of ALL of the peacock's beautiful feathers. Lucky me. And lucky peacock that this was his mechanism for survival. This bird shoots out all his feathers when he is in danger in order to move faster, otherwise I fear Echo would have had him for dinner for sure (and I might have felt guilty). I'm betting that that maybe the last I see of the peacock in my yard, at least for this season!

Delerious with Sunshine

We aren't quite sure what to do with so much sunshine. It's been hot and sunny for a couple weeks (and no one is complaining). The kids go to bed exhausted because we play outside all day in the glorious sun, trying to soak it all in to clear out the cobwebs of a long rainy winter. I've never seen so many smiles! It's been fantastic to get out the grill, the sunscreen, the hats, the sports equipment, the shorts, etc. David has even had his top off the jeep!

It's funny, though, the boys keep referring to all the things they want to do here this summer. Like water fights and swimming pools; and I have to remind them that this may very well be our summer in Belgium! It's just not that predictable...

And alas, I see rain in the forecast for tomorrow! Well, it was absolutely, wonderfully, fantastic while it lasted! (And maybe if we're lucky we'll see it again before the summer is over.)

Six Lbs. in Two Months!

That would be Finley's weight gain, not mine! It's hard to believe my little baby is already not so little. Some would say he has put it all on in the cheeks. I love his big round smiles and coos. And he has this really cute swirly belly button:



I'm sure he won't think it's so cute later; but he's just my baby now, so I'm going to run with it as long as I can. I'd love to tell everyone he's perfectly healthy, but many of you know, and for those of you who do not, his kidneys are not properly developed. Apparently this is a very common occurrence, especially in boys. The urine doesn't properly drain from the kidneys and the ureters, mostly on the right side. We could see this on sonograms while I was pregnant, but my OB kept telling us that it would go away before he was born. Well, it didn't and I had no idea what to expect.

Unfortunately, I still don't know what to expect. We have been through many tests starting the day after he was born. The health care in Belgium in good; I have confidence in them. However, I just don't understand French. So, during our trip to the U.S. this summer we have an appointment with a specialist at John's Hopkins. If for no other reason, I'd just like to get the facts in plain old English. I do know a main side effect is Urinary Tract Infections, and normally the doctors would put a baby with this condition on antibiotics right after they are born. We opted for a wait-and-see approach with Finley so he would not become resistant or allergic to the antibiotics.

So, as of now he is doing fine and thriving all on his own. Plenty of wet diapers and no infections. I have to just keep believing he is perfect in every way and hope this is something he will grow out of as he gets bigger. And bigger he is getting. I sure hope to share this sweet boy with everyone as soon as possible. I know you will fall for him, just as I have!

And I wanted to live in India...

I can hardly survive Belgium and once upon a time I wanted to live in India?! I suppose that was before children. Anytime things get tough it's easier to imagine life will be better elsewhere. There's no doubt this place is not the worst place to live and some days I've really got it good, but there's also no doubt that life is infinitely easier in the good old U. S. of A. I made my list of all the things I like about this place, which Taylor reminds me to focus on that instead of the list I formulate in my mind that is ten times longer of the things I don't like. So, he is right, and it's really great that we have family time and I don't recreation shop anymore. But some days I really wish I lived where a dollar is a dollar and there are no priority to the right signs (ask me about it sometime).

We play a little game, the boys and I, while driving, "what's the first thing you're going to do when we arrive home this summer?" That list has gotten so long, I actually started writing it down so as not to forget our hopes and desires. Gavin is heading straight for Dunkin' Donuts and must have a water balloon fight in Grandmom's back yard. He also was looking at the pictures on the back of our U.S. money and informed me that he wanted to see these places: Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, etc. (how convenient, really). Taylor was diplomatic and said we must visit family first, and then he wanted to go to Rocky Run for real hot wings and a trip to Gettysburg would be nice as well. David claims he has nothing on his to-do list (but I'll bet he ends up in A Game's Workshop store before long). As for me; a friend informed me the other day that she was saving me a parking spot at Target. Also watch out Joann's and Borders, and probably Pannera, Baja Fresh, Starbucks, Old Navy, Eddie Bauer, Trader Joe's, Recollections, JCPenny's, Micheals, Safeway, THE MOVIES, Aida's Bistro, Ellicott City Brew Pub, Target - I think you get the point.

Unfortunately we're only home for six weeks, will there be enough time? Or more importantly, will we ever want to come back here? The hardest part is being so far from family. And I just can't wait to feel the connection again. BUT I'll make the best I can of living here because I know Belgium is not India. (but just by a hair)

Odyssey of the Mind

This is huge! I was told that when the teams started practicing in November that a first year school rarely places in these competitions, let alone wins. So, after months of practice and hard work (an average of 175 hours per student) Shape Elementary School sent 5 teams to the regional competition in Bad Kissengen, Germany. And all five teams placed, and two teams won first place, which means going to the World Finals in Maryland.


That would be my Taylor! His team won first place for building a balsa wood structure that bares weight and a skit to present it to the judges. So you know what this means? A whole lot of fund raising in a very short amount of time. It costs each kid $520 for lodging and another $700 or so for airfare (this does not include the parent that goes with the child) and misc. expenditures. So, we figured out that we need to raise over $17,000 to send these kids to the World Finals, and we have less than two months to do it. Hello bake sales! And car washes, and flea markets, and lunches for teachers, and bingo night, and more bake sales, and a whole lot of hustling...

I am so excited and proud of my Taylor that he can take part of something so big. And it's so nice that we get to go to Maryland. I can't wait for a chance to go home and spend some time with family and friends. We all need this trip. And Taylor EARNED it all the way. I love you, son, you are amazing.

One More Monkey

Yes, you could say that I have an excuse for my great lapse in writing. Life seems to pass faster than I can get a handle on it. But I am missing a great opportunity to share with everyone all the adventures ands misadventures of our life right here and now. As I read through a few friends blogs recently I realized I have a lot of catching up to do. So, here we go.

Welcome now the latest redhead boy to the Conrad clan: Finley Emerson Conrad was born March 6th 2008. After a very short labor (Yes!) he was born at 9:35 in the morning in the local Belgian hospital, three weeks early at 8 pounds 2 ounces. Of course he has red hair, or David might have sent him back! I look at him and have a sense of Deja Vu. But I know as he grows and develops his own personality, likes, dislikes, desires, path to run down...he will prove to me that he is NOT just a replication of his brothers, but in fact another great addition to this world in his very own unique and wonderful way. I already feel so overwhelmed with love and gratitude that I have this chance to be a mom one more time. I feel very fulfilled with my three amazing boys, even if my house feels like a zoo full of monkeys some days, this is the life I want more than anything else and I am happy!

A quick update on all the other things in life: We acquired a cat last year, and then a dog; more monkeys than I can handle some days. I hired a house keeper finally, now I don't cry over housework anymore and seem to enjoy the little things a bit more. (like holding my baby and reading to the kids.) On the bright side, though, the dog keeps the peacock out of our yard, thank goodness because it would not have survived another year in my life!! The long dark winter is over and I see signs of spring everywhere. New babies are flooding the region, not only are the humans having babies by the dozens, but it's so much fun to see all the baby animals. On our property, the landlord's sheep had seven new lambs this year, and the neighbor's goats had kids. The cows have been let out to pasture for the season after being cooped up in the barn all winter.

I guess as much as I say I want to move home, when presented with moving back to a crowded city, I realize there is so much to enjoy here with our simple family life. And, though we never go to the movies, or out to dinner, or even travel much, and certainly shopping is whatever we can find at the military exchange (have you seen the exchange rate lately?!), our life is limited to what we do together here at home. So, dear sweet husband says, are you going to remember your time here in Belgium as being "poor" or as time well spent hanging out at home having a good time together as a family. What a good man to remind me how good I have it. So today, I will drive along the farm roads and see all the new life growing, and feel good to be a part of it this Spring!

"Live high, live mighty, live righteously" -song quote from Jason Mraz

Bella Bella Bellagio

The most beautiful little city I have ever seen! Well, after a couple month hiatus, I am back to blogging. Things got a little crazy around here and it was hard for me to put into words our life here. But, now with a little traveling, and visits from family, this summer is turning out to be a good so far!





















I took the boys with me to meet my mom in Italy last week. Unfortunately David had to work, but we have every intention of going back for a visit soon. In fact I recommend that everyone gets a stop in Italy at least once in their lifetime!
















Many of you know that my mom has been traveling throughout Europe this summer on quite an adventure, and somehow I have been lucky enough to meet up with her twice (thank-you David). The first stop was meeting up in the South of France, in Nice and Aix-en-Provence. I spent five days with her traveling about and seeing the sights, the beaches, the hills, shopping...It was lovely, but a bit touristy. The area reminded me a lot of California, only in French and more crowded! But the highlight was last week when the boys got out of school we headed on a plane to Northern Italy, to the lakes district and into a little town called Bellagio. Not the casino resort in Vegas, but the beautiful little town it was built after. And it was stunning!



Taylor and Gavin couldn't even believe it and were sad when it was time to leave. Italy is just something else and I keep wondering why we couldn't move NATO there! But alas, that is why it was a vacation. For all the kind people, great food, breathtaking views, serene lifestyle, good Italian wine, sunshine, gelato, gelato and more gelato, I don't think this is a place we will soon forget. And I hope to take you all with me someday, just say the word! In the mean time we are back to reality, which has actually been a good thing, because our spirits are high and we have been enjoying our really cool home here in Belgium. I'll share more with you soon, but for now here are a couple pics, I think they will speak for themselves!

On a Positive Note

My dear husband seems to think I have one too many complaints these days. Is it because he wants me to be happy and feels the need to fix everything I don't like? HMMM? Is it because he can still remember the days I was a very pregnant and very overheated weather reporter, reporting on the status of the heatwave every other hour of the day? (And that he could not fix!) Is it because living in Belgium makes just about everyone want to complain?!! As my friend Stacy pointed out today, how else do we deal with it if we can't poke fun and rant about the problems we face here? Because believe me when I say it IS a little backwards, and that's putting it nice. But honestly, I think it's because no body likes a complainer. Wow, that was simple!

So, in honor of David, today I have made a new addition to my blog, as you can see on the right hand side there, so that everyone can see I do have good things to say. My list of things I like about living here. It was actually easy. Everyday I find things I like about being here. And honestly if I wrote a list of complaints I would have run out of space! But seriously, even though I will always be an American girl at heart, I love the grand and subtle life lessons this place has awarded me and my family. Being in Europe has opened all of our eyes to new possibilities. It's been an exciting and sometimes frightening roller coaster of an adventure that has surely brought us closer as a family. The time we have together has been invaluable, and for this I am truly grateful!

Never Underestimate a Sunny Day in Belgium

The usual forcast? Rainy with a chance of sun. In fact, I'm not sure I saw the sun the entire month of January. It was a long winter and I honestly had moments when I wondered if I could stay in Belgium for long. But here we are going on a whole month of pure sunshine and warmth. Everyone seems happier than usual and Belgium seems more lovely than ever. The days are getting long and it is hard to put the children down for bed when there is still a glimmer of sun at a quarter to ten at night. I don't even think I've turned on the oven in weeks, the BBQ is working overtime and David hasn't had to put the top up on his jeep. Just believe me when I say, there is nothing more glorious in Belgium than a sunny day, and I will never take it for granted. But I do apologize to all who are coming for a visit, in advance, because it surely can not last forever!

The sun must also be making my boys grow like weeds. And since I have not been good at keeping you up-to-date on their latest and greatest I figure today I will at least share with you a couple photos taken over the last couple months. I have so much to say about my great boys, but for now just take a look for yourself. Oh, and never underestimate a sunny day in Belgium, because I can even see the joy in my boys when they go out to play on a beautiful day!

Enough with the Peacock Already!

I am going on three nights of relatively no sleep all thanks to the fantastic farm animals. I told you we have cows for neighbors, but did I mention the peacocks? I can deal with the cheese factory churning all night, I understand the rooster will crow and the crack of dawn, but a peacock in my tree screaming like a hurt child at 3am is NOT acceptable! Ever since Easter morning this bird has been carrying on and now has found a comfortable spot in the tree in our yard. The boys seem to sleep through it, David claims he isn't bothered, and even my landlord, Vincent, has no issues with the howling bird. But I just can't sleep through the noise. I'm surprised I can even write a coherent sentence, you have no idea how many times I've had to spell check already. Seriously, I think I had better sleep with newborns, and you all know how terribly my newborns slept!

So, I implore you, no I beg you, please find me a solution (short of running it over with my car) to rid my yard of the peacock! I'm searching the internet and hitting all the wrong sights because I can not find an answer to my problem. I think I may just go take a nap...you'd be surprised at how quiet and serene it is here during the day! Seriously, if you loved me at all you would join my secret society A.P.P.P.L. (Anti-Peacock People for a Peaceful Life, or said like apple) and help me get rid of the peacock for good! Then when we have accomplished our main objective we'll move on to more serious issues, like how to reverse global warming, lessing our dependency on all petroleum based products, eliminating hydrogenated oils and MSG from our food for good, solving the dying bee issue, and then of course how to stop David from snoring (which also keeps me up at night, but not nearly as bad as the peacock!) Thank you for your time to let me rant, I promise I will fill you in on more important issues later!