The Men Have Arrived!

Yes, I am sitting at the computer while 3 Dutchmen are busy around me packing all our worldly belongings. It is very strange to sit and futz on the computer while there are people working right next to me. But I have nothing to do. After a long weekend and some late nights, I have done all I can. Oh, they are calling me...I think I may have a task!

I'm back. Why does it make me feel better if I am working too? I think it must be the Calvinist in me, but I am very uncomfortable NOT working when those around me are. They are making real progress though. So many boxes already. It is a very good thing that Max isn't here. He would definitely be in the way and think he needed to be helping the men. But he would absolutely love it.

This condo is far from a "home" right now. I said to Bas as we were eating dinner last night (take away pizza and wine), that already this doesn't feel like our house anymore. Things are in such upheaval, lights are down, etc. I have loved living here but I am ready to move on.

Tomorrow more men will come and this time bring along the sea crate and a big outdoor elevator/conveyor belt contraption to get all our stuff from floor 5 to the ground. I'll have to take some pics so you Americans can see how the Dutch do it. Of course, it is supposed to rain.
I'll be interested to see how they keep everything dry.

Well, I think this is my last post from Javakade. I'll have access to a computer at Bas's parents house, but maybe not much time. We'll see...

Max's Laaste Dag op de Peuterspeelzaal

Today was Max's last day at peuterspeelzaal. We brought along treats for all the kids and special thank yous for his teachers. Miss Jane made a special hat for him and the kids all signed a card. Max has really grown to love going to "school". I remember when he started, he seemed so little compared to the other kids. Now he is the biggest one in the class (yes, no surprise). If we were staying on here in Holland, Max would start real school on his 4th birthday this coming April. I have really enjoyed having Max go to school. I think it has been very good for him to be around other kids and to learn to be away from me for a bit. Not to mention his Dutch really took off once he started.

I asked Max if he will miss it. He said no and then asked if Miss Jane will be the teacher at his new school. He is understanding some parts of the move but obviously not all. Tonight will be his last night sleeping here on the Javakade. He doesn't seem at all concerned about this. But he did tell me that his Tigger can't go on the boat with his other toys, but instead has to go on the airplane. He told me he would even let Tigger sit in the stroller and he would walk!

FINALLY

Arranged for movers- CHECK

Bas figured out his last day of work for ING Bank-CHECK

We booked a flight out of Amsterdam back to Chicago-CHECK

We are finally getting a few solid dates. We booked the movers yesterday and they will come next Monday the 29th to pack and will finish up packing and load the sea crate on the 30th. Bas will have his last day of work on Friday Nov 2 and the three of us will fly out of here on the 3rd. Nothing like booking an international flight a week before departure to get a great deal...NOT!

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am a planner. This last few weeks of having things hanging in the air was just about killing me.

Max will have a couple more days at the peuterspeelzaal and then on Friday he will go to Opa and Oma's house until we leave. It will be a bit too crazy around here for him I am afraid.

Bas and I will sleep here thru Monday night and then we will also stay at Bas's parents until we go.

The pic above is from the summer of 05 on Max's first flight back to the states. Too bad he still doesn't fit into the bassinet...it was a bit cheaper!

A Good Report in the Midst of Mayhem

Yesterday Max had his 3 1/2 year developmental check. After having Max complete a series of tests and asking Bas and I numerous questions, the Dr informed us that Max was right on track. The 2 areas where he is a bit behind are articulation in his words and ...coloring! Yes, I said coloring. The Dr was most impressed with the fact that Max can ride a normal bike without any training wheels. Of course we credit his starting out on a loopfiets (see entry from Jan 2007) for this.

Bas and I are so thankful and STILL amazed by how well Max is doing. We are so thankful to all the Drs and nurses at Northwestern's NICU that took such wonderful care of him. And of course we are thankful to God for giving us this little miracle.

This is a pic of Max on his first birthday. He cheeks were about twice the size of now and his hair would still be another year before it made it's appearance.

Crazy Busy

This past week has been unbelievably busy around our house. I won't go into all the details...they would probably be boring (like the fact that Bas and I didn't eat breakfast or lunch yesterday and I forgot to change Max...the whole day). But here are a few highlights of the past week just to keep some of you up-to-date as to what is going on here in Amsterdam.

Bas, after 2 family afternoons of hanging out at the American consulate, has been approved for his green card and will receive it in the mail next week.

We had the pre-closing on our house. This means that after this weekend, the buyer can't back out and it is a done deal even thought the real closing is Nov 22 (no we won't be here for it).

Various doctor appointments and tests for Bas and I with no firm results yet given.

Interviewing numerous moving companies trying to get a grip on when and how we will move. We will need to pick movers quite quickly as we may need to begin moving in 2 WEEKS!

And the best...we have yet to begin packing!!!

The way things are looking, I think the mover will begin packing 2 weeks from Monday. They think it will take about 3 days by the time they are done packing and loading the 20ft sea crate will will need. It could be pretty cool for Max to watch if they do what they are talking about which is fairly standard here in Amsterdam...putting a little elevator out front up to our 5th story balcony. I can't imagine our 81/2 ft bed going over the balcony..we'll see.

As for our departure, I think Max and I will leave by Nov 3. We aren't sure about Bas yet, he may not be flying out until the 10th.

And then the fun starts...looking for a house, choosing a house, closing on a house and hopefully moving in all within a month before Bas starts work Dec 10.

But I'm not complaining. This is such an exciting time for us, crazy, but exciting. So I apologize to the 5 or 6 of you who I have yet to return your phone calls. I feel bad about this but I hope you understand that free time is at a premium right now.

*Thanks for the pics Uncle Joel, we really liked it that you came to visit us 1 more time even if we were a stop in between Italy and Slovenia! FYI, those are kruidnotjes Max is eating. They are a chocolate covered cookie that is only available this time of year..he eats about 1 bag every day.

Mama I'm Coming Home!

Actually, it's not just me, it's Bastiaan and Max too. Yes, it is official, we are moving to America! Things are happening quite fast. Last week Bas finalized an offer with First American Bank to be their new Vice President of International Banking/Trade Finance. He will begin Dec 10. As the headquarters are near O'Hare, we will be moving to the western suburbs of Chicago. A while back I remember saying that when we moved back to America it would be to downtown Chicago b/c living in the 'burbs after living in Amsterdam would just about kill me. Well, it seems I am going to be tested. FYI Amsterdam was just deemed the most international city in the world...NYC was #3.

So our plan was to put our house on the market and hopefully close and move the first week in November as we have a bit of house and car hunting to do in the States. We put our house on the market last Wednesday, had 7 viewings on Saturday and an offer came in this morning for MORE than what we were asking (yes the housing market it a little different here than America). So as I'm writing this I think Bas is giving notice at his job and we may be closing and leaving sooner than November.

There is a glitch in all of this...Bas hasn't been approved for his green card yet. He has an interview next week at the American Consulate here in Amsterdam. We are banking on this being just a formality and hoping he receives his card by the end of next week.

So thanks to all of you who have kept us in your thoughts and prayers over the past months. We appreciate it and we'll keep you updated on the move.

We are looking forward to our next adventure with the fun and challenges of changing cultures once again after 5 years of living in Europe.