Temp Housing. French style.

Within 10 seconds of arriving at our temp housing I was sobbing. If I could've found the airport I would've gotten on the first plane to Greenville. Looking back it was exhaustion and several other factors at work. I'd been awake for about 24 hours and was extremely nervous, about everything.

First we had been given a manual transition car as a rental. I hadn't driven a manual since high school and driving in France is nothing like driving in the US. I seriously mean NOTHING. No right on red, at left turns several cars pull up around you - behind you - and beside you and make left turns all around you if you don't go in a timely manner, you must stop on yellow, etc. Not mention we live in a dormant volcanic mountain range. I was a nervous wreck. I prayed I wouldn't roll into the car behind me at every stop light.

Then there was the temp apartment itself. I had no idea how to use the dishwasher (all the words were in French), the washer (French), the dryer (you get the point). In addition I had no idea where we were in relation to the city. Where were the grocery stores? Was it safe to walk outside with the kids by myself? Why was there dog poop everywhere? Why didn't anyone leash their dogs? Why were my kids so loud compared to French children?

I think it was a blessing that we didn't have internet the first few weeks we were here. I didn't have many good things to say about anything. It is a hard thing to move to a country you have never been and not know the language. Three kids added to the equation didn't help.

Temp housing kitchen. All the counters were crazy low. Lily could touch the front burners on the stove!!

This (at the time) was the strangest washing machine, and smallest, I'd ever seen.

 

We lived in temp housing for 6 LONG weeks. Looking back it wasn't that bad. Hindsight is always 20/20 but at the time it felt like a torture chamber.

Clermont Ferrand. Ready or not...

We were thankful just to be finished flying when we got to Clermont. I remember telling Rick that I didn't care if I hated it here. I was NOT going home until they told us it was time to move back. I'm still of that mind by the way. Sorry Greenville/US people, either our kids have to get a lot older or you all can come see us.

 

We had a nice family (who I had not preciously met) meet us at the airport. They were so sweet to bring us some starter groceries and even let us borrow some euros (we'd totally forgotten we'd need cash and that our credit cards might not work here). And the best part - they still want to hang out with us! Let's just say we were a little rough looking when we got here. Thank you Hamiltons!! We appreciate all you did for us!!

 

On the road following our French realtor!

At Michelin global headquarters getting our keys and info for our temp housing. Lily is clearly over it all. And Charlie well he was too. The kids did love the fact that our sunroof was so big!

 

Paris.

We landed in Paris on a Wednesday (I think). It was freezing cold and about 10am. Rick and I were exhausted. Lily cried pretty much the entire flight so she ended up sleeping on me the majority of the time in the air. Ruthie and Charlie were out cold when we landed and we all know waking up a 4 and 2 year old isn't ideal.

We let everyone else get off the plane first and then we started loading everything up - a carseat, a carry one weighting at least 40lbs, an umbrella stroller, 4 over carry on backs, 2 adult backpacks, 5 winter coats and 3 kids. Lily started crying. I looked back at her and she'd throw up ALL OVER her clothes. Of course, we being the wise seasoned mother that I am failed to pack an additional outfit for her. Thankfully I did pack her pajamas. Although we had to get off the airplane so she sat in the throw up clothes for the better part of 45 minutes screaming as we made our way to our next gate.

Thankfully we didn't have that long of a layover in Paris. Our Clermont-Ferrand plane was on time and we got to our new home in one piece. Kind of.

This is Lily in Paris. Um. Yeah.

A bit out of order. Charlie and Ruthie having a quick snack in ATL before boarding the Air France flight.

Here goes nothing!

Trying to stay awake in Paris. I caved and took a 15 minute nap.

France. Ready or not.

The Saturday before the Tuesday that we flew Charlie didn't look so good. We can always tell he's getting sick because his energy level dips a bit and he looks super tired. I knew it was his ears. We decided to run the kids to the CVS Minute Clinic. Sure enough, a double ear infection. I had the doctor check Ruthie's ears as well. Hers had fluid that did in appear to be infected. I asked for antibiotics x 2. 

By Tuesday both kids were fine we had finally finished weighing suitcases, unpacking and repacking. We decided to head to Chickfila for one last diet lemonade and chargrilled chicken sandwich for awhile. Both were equally delicious.

At the airport we unloaded 6 suitcases all filled to the brim, 3 carseats, a pack in play, 2 strollers and 5 carry on bags. It looked like the circus had come to town. 

In my carry on I had packed baby food for Lily. Before buying/packing it I read the TSA website and made sure I wasn't going to have to throw it away as soon as we got there. The website sight said baby food, formula, breast milk = a ok. The TSA workers at the airport didn't get the same memo. I had to have a pat down. I wasn't happy. After this slight hiccup we boarded the plane and headed to ATL.

All of our planes were on time. Miracles do happen and before we knew it we were on our Air France flight. Next stop Paris!!
 

Charlie overseeing the entire weighing/labeling/checking in process. All of our luggage made it to France! Miracles do happen.

Lily and me on the first flight. You can tell because we're smiling...

Flying - not so impressive to Charlie and Ruthie. Charlie insisted the window shade be down the entire flight. To each his own...