things i don't want to forget

in 4 short days i will have been here now for exactly 7 months. 7 months of becoming part of a wonderful family, finding my way in the kitchen, adventuring through the most amazing countries, tasting delicious foods from all over the world, meeting new people and making lots of friends, drinking too much alcohol (keep in mind that in most restaurants a beer is less expensive than water), taking too many pictures, and in a way... finding myself. these 7 months have made me laugh and smile and realize that there's just so much love and kindness in this world. being able to see in person the different cultures that fill this beautiful place we all call home is defintely my favorite part of this journey. everyone is so different, yet we are all so alike in the best ways.

going home in 2 months is of course something i'm looking forward to, but right now... the thought of leaving this place that has opened my eyes to so many things, makes me very sad. it won't be hard remembering the places (mostly because i took enough pictures of me in each place for anyone to get extremely annoyed when i come home and show them every. single. picture. you all better at least pretend to look interested!), but there are some things that will probably slip my mind as time goes by, and that's something i don't want to happen. so here are some little things that i love that i don't want to forget..


i love...

-the way the church bell rings every hour
-how when you're passing by people on the street everyone says hello
-having afternoon tea with the neighbor (who also happens to be an artist so i can marvel in her work)
-listening to the most obnoxious (yet surprisingly catchy) k3 cd whenever beau requests it in the car
-the feeling i get after skyping my family and friends
-watching movies with my dutch parents
-going on morning walks when the sun is just coming up outside
-when beau gives me goodnight kisses, and the occasional see you after your nap kisses
-how beau always has the same thing for lunch - bread and peanut butter
-the butterfly in my stomach feeling i get when traveling and i see a new place
-meeting new people and finding what interests them
-when the lady who cleans the house comes every thursday and we talk about things going on with us
-how i feel like i can talk to leo and menno about anything
-when the grandparents come to visit the girls and the look on their faces is just priceless
-the feeling of making dinner and it actually tasting good
-how in this moment, just typing away on my computer, hearing beau laugh and play outside, in my cute little house in the backyard, i feel like this is my home

xoxo