Views from our apartment

I think this is so pretty

View from outside the living area window

Looking down the stairs from our front door.

Another view from outside the living room

Wednesday's adventure:
Today Michael had to go to another meeting, so Eden and I ventured out on our own for the first time since our arrival...for those who know me well, this is big! I am very directionally challenged, so to make sure that I could get us out of the apartment to the intended store and back is an accomplishment! Good news! We are safe:) Our goal was to buy 2 baguettes and visit a chocolatier...(Michael found a boulangerie near our apt. and we have been passing a chocolatier every day...so of course, we made those two stops our goal)

 So delicious! She and I decided that each week we would try a new chocolate...after eating this one, she suggested going twice a week:) I will be huge when we come back!!

Arc de Triomphe

Each month on the first Sunday, the museums are free, so we took advantage of it and went to see the Arc de Triomphe! It was so beautiful! It was kind of cloudy/foggy so we couldn't see very far. But it was still breathtaking!

 Fun family photo

 The stairs we climbed to get to the top

 Tomb of the unknown soldier

Can you spot Eden? She is at the bottom!

 view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

 Another view of the Eiffel

Just a view from the street...

Yesterday was a successful day for us! We left the hotel, purchased a payable phone (we got a cheap Nokia, which is not really a step up from Michael's old phone:) but works, successfully rode the subway to an appt. at a bank, got an account set up (the lady was so nice and spoke fairly good English), saw the Eiffel tower from across the Seine (so beautiful),  went up to the Arch de Triomphe, and visited the Monoprix twice. I had done research about the Monoprix (it is "similar" to a Target)...although it is situated in 4 levels...groceries in the basement, and clothes, cleaning stuff, and household items on the other 3 floors) We had to pay for our grocery bags, which I had read about...then we arrived at our apartment.  It was so nasty that we weren't sure if we should even use the towels...so, we attempted to wash a few. Oh dear, it was a disaster...first of all it is a combo washer/dryer...but everything is in French-including the manual!! We went online and found an English one, but still couldn't wash the towels. We used Facetime to call Mom and Cal to beg for help:) We gave up after 3 washes and then Michael and I hand ringing 2 towels out in the bathtub at 11:30 p.m. It did provide a funny memory:) We were cracking up!

Our apartment is beyond disgusting! I didn't cry, but I almost did! My sweet husband helped me clean a few things, but we decided it was so gross that we needed to take pictures and contact the owner. We may show you some of the pictures when we come home!!  At dinner, Eden said, "Well it is really bad, because I have never seen Dad react like this!!"  Lol--what does that say about us? Just kidding-I already know:)
Michael sent quite a few pictures to the owner, with some funny captions...So now the owner is trying to have some things taken care of, and  the cleaning lady is coming back today to "reclean"....So at this point, we are not able to unpack and get settled in...But hopefully soon!

(The cleaning lady has just arrived--and doesn't speak any English...so I am miming all of the concerns to her-- ) Wish us luck!

All in all, it is going well...we figured that we would have some things that would need to be worked out!

Thank you for all of the prayers!!! We appreciate them! Au Revoir!

We spent the first night in our apartment last night...oh my goodness. We have a lot to share...it can best be described as absolutely disgusting!!! While I disinfected the washing machine, Michael was scrubbing one wall in the kitchen with Ajax...p.s. we were both wearing gloves!! On the bright side, although we can't touch any surface, it is bigger than we all expected. More to come!

Getting Started...

Our self portrait from CO this summer

Many have asked me to set up a blog so that we can share information about our adventures...so here it goes!!! To those who have doubted (myself included), aren't you proud?