A New Beginning...

Wow... lots to tell.

The view from the plane... leaving Memphis

I left St. Louis Monday evening and flew to Memphis (of all places).  When I landed I only had 5 minutes until my next flight was boarding.  I passed several Starbucks and a Neely's restaurant (food network lovers know who I'm talking about) and was slightly depressed that I had no time to stop and enjoy the "small" pleasures of the US.  On to Amsterdam it was...

I boarded my flight... used up all my cell phone battery and we were off.  8 hours and 15 minutes flight.  It was a long one.  After they served pretzels and drinks... then dinner... then coffee or tea... then duty free... it was finally lights out.  I slept on and off for 2 hours and then a baby started crying... and crying... and crying.  Another benedryl later I slept for about an hour and half.  Now it is 2ish in the morning and they are serving breakfast... really???? Usually I complain about the lack of food on flights but this was ridiculous!  I would have rather slept than ate at that point considering my 5 hour layover in Amsterdam.

So we land in Amsterdam and I wander around half asleep trying to figure out what to do.  I got my boarding pass... call my parents (so they know I'm alive - 4:30 am) and make my way through customs.  It was very easy getting through... so glad for that!  As I'm walking towards my gate trying to figure out what to do for the next 4 hours... I saw something so very comforting................ STARBUCKS!  I knew I would find coffee but had no idea Starbucks would be waiting for me in Amsterdam.  Let me tell you, it might have been the most expensive starbucks (5 euros for a grande white mocha) but it was worth it!  I drank my coffee and tried to relax and take it all in.   It was a little overwhelming but I'm sure the lack of sleep had a lot to do with it.  There were some really awesome shops and restaurants along the way although I was much too tired to enjoy any of it.

One more plane ride and I was in Luxembourg.   I started to panic a bit when I didn't see my ride, but eventually we connected and off we went.  Even though it was rainy and overcast when I arrived, it was quite beautiful.  We drove about 15 minutes outside the city of Luxembourg and arrived in a small village.  (I will post pictures of the surrounding area tomorrow)

The kids were more than delighted for my arrival.  I met them and then they were off to bed.  Francesca is 4... Charlotte is 2 (3 in November) and baby Alex is almost 1 (November as well).  After the kids were in bed Michael (dad) went out for a business dinner and AnneMarie (mom) and I had cheese fondue for dinner.  I then was off to bed... and that concludes my first day or so.  

More to come tomorrow... it's pretty late here and I'm getting sleeeeeeepy :)