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.