Lees in France

The semester is over and the new classes have begun for the kids. Randy and I are amazed at how well they finished the semester, all A’s and B’s! They have learned a great deal about life, cross cultural living, computer technology, online schooling, how to make friends, how to maintain friendships, how to be each other’s best buddy and more in the past 6 months. We are thankful and grateful for them and their determination to succeed despite living and experiencing a foreign land at their young age. Just a reminder it has not been an easy road. We have had blood (bike wrecks, hitting heads on windows), sweat (ultimate games, hiking, biking) and tears (why are we here, missing friends, school work) along the way.  As the Indigo Girls wrote back in 1994, “Although we get to have some answers when we reach the other side, the prize is always worth the rocky ride”- The Wood Song. Below are images of the evidence of blood, sweat and tears (although not shown, just know they existed.)

We needed a change in routine so we decided to pack lunches before church, and head out on a day trip once church let out. Within 30 minutes we were engulfed in new landscapes, dirt colorations and architecture.

During the ride we continued to try to name places that reminded us of the surrounding landscape. Colorado, Montana, Texas, the midwest, Greece, and even the road to Orrison’s Cabin off I-81, past Harrisonburg were all on the list. I was struck by the beautiful artistic road signs designating the areas we were approaching.

Surprise snow sightings and icicles along the sides were announced by the backseat gallery. Wind turbines outlined some of the mountain ridges. Tunnels put smiles on faces.

We stopped at a travel center with food, gas, toilets, and a gift shop. Randy filled the car while the kids and I headed to the patches of snow for a little snowball action. Below are also pictures of snow play at our final destination, which will be revealed in the next post.

While browsing inside the travel center I found a new fleece lined pull-over perfect for our upcoming trip in February!! Randy claimed that this was Momma’s best day ever, a road trip and a new article of clothing at a gas station!! It did make me one happy traveler for sure! (My sweater shown below was purchased in a grocery store for 7 Euros!!!) We are all thankful for Randy’s enjoyment of driving which allows the rest of us to take in the scenery, cue music on Spotify, and talk about things we see yet he might miss because of his road diligence.