Our 1st separation...

This is Bordeaux, France.  We stayed here in April.  It was our first time away from Jacob since we brought him home in Spring 2008.   He did great!!! Praise God!

So here is the backstory...

Last fall John's work held a contest, the prize was a 9 day trip to France.  He won!

About two years ago John won a trip to Costa Rica through work.  At that time I knew it was too soon to leave Jacob.  When he shared that he'd won I told him I would go only if we could take Jacob with us.  His company refused to allow us to pay and bring him along.  So we passed down the trip.  It was a difficult decision but we knew it was the right choice and that in the long run Jacob's attachment was infinately more important than a few days in Costa Rica.

So when John told me the news that he had a shot at winning this trip to France.  I began to pray.

Pray that I would not hold onto it too tightly, pray that my parents would be available and willing to stay with the kids for NINE days, pray that God would prepare Jacob's heart if we were able to go and pray that John would win.."only if it's your will, God"  I always added that at the end, trying with all my heart to mean it.

Did I mention I majored in French in college and spent time studying there before John and I got married?  As complicated as Les Francais are, there is something about their country and their culture that I am drawn to. This is the one place I REALLY wanted to go.

In January John found out that he'd won, but actually he'd EARNED the trip to France.

I began to plan!  From January until April, like a crazy woman I planned out everything I could.  

Talked with our amazing adoption counselor, made a binder of ideas, maps, kids' schedules, dentist, doctor, hospital information.  I laminated pictures of us and taped them above his bed so he could look at our faces. John and I even took the stuffed animal we'd sent him when he was still in the orphanage back to Build a Bear and recorded our voices telling him we loved him.  Oh, and John also said, "Lay down, punk!" on it.  Which is the last thing he says to Jacob as he puts him to bed, while simultaneously shoving Jacob's head onto the pillow.  (it must be a testosterone thing, because Jacob thinks it is the best bedtime ritual of all!)  Who knew?

On and on I planned and eventually April came and we flew business class to France.  AAAAH!

That alone was incredible!

This was the first hotel we stayed in..Les Sources de Caudalie.  Our room was on the ground where the table and chairs are.  Unfortunately it was too cold and rainy to sit outside.  But the view out our window, looking out at the vineyard, was unbelievable.

We took a vintage car tour through the country visiting local vineyards.

After a few days in Bordeaux we took a train to Paris.

We took a cruise down the Seine river...

It rained every day during our trip, but there were moments like this when the sun would shine through the clouds and the scenery was breathtaking.

On our last night in Paris we were picked up at our hotel and driven the Baccarate Museum for a "farewell gala"  My first official "gala". I feel very fancy now.

 Finally, we were spoiled rotten and ready to come home to these cuties!!

Ok, these are pictures from Christmas, but everyone still looks the same! 

France was amazing, but I wouldn't exchange my grocery shopping, homeschooling, sibling referee-ing, carpooling life for anything!