Real Life

I'm having the best week I've ever had here in France! Is it because I got over my short, stubby legs and finally put on skinny jean, instantly making me feel more stylish? I don't know, maybe!

But aside from my huge fashion leap, here's what happened so far this week--

Monday, a friend invited me to her gym for a water aerobics class. I went to her class and afterward she helped me join the gym! A gym! A REAL, LIVE gym! Oh, I was so excited. They have classes like "Body Pump" and "Body Attack" and treadmills, weight machines and free weights. Man, I was jumping for joy as I signed the papers! (I had been to this gym in January with Phil to see about the prices...I was quoted a price of 85 euros a month. So we left and I sadly resigned myself to having squishy muscles for the rest of our time here. This time (with my French friend by my side) I was quoted a completely reasonable, "too good to be true," price. THAT is life in the south of France for you.)

Tuesday the same friend helped me sign up for kayaking classes. I'm super pumped because I can walk to the little "yachting club" from my house and for two hours in the morning two days a week I can learn more about kayaking and get a total upper body workout as we paddle in the Mediterranean Sea. While there, she introduced me to another "super sporty" lady friend who is also going to take the class. After the sign ups the "sporty friend" invited me to her house for a coffee. A coffee??? At a new friends house??? YES, YES, YES!

Wednesday a friend from church invited the kids and I over to her house for lunch. She has kids the same ages as my kids, and yesterday, they all got along swimmingly. My friend and I were even able to talk and relax on the couch while the littlest ones napped peacefully and the older kids played. It was FANTASTICALLY comfortable, and we have so much in common. Can it possibly be??? A kind, encouraging, same-stage-of-life, Mommy friend.

Finally, yesterday afternoon I went to the park with the kids. The same park I took the "What Not to Wear" pictures. But this year, as I walked through the gates, I counted ten other Moms I knew. It was crazy...and I almost started crying as I looked around and people were smiling at me and kissing me on the cheeks saying hello. Lily started playing with other kids and I was able to communicate with the other Moms (in French)--I even made one laugh (on purpose) with something I said.

So my heart is overflowing with thankfulness and praise. I am beginning to have a real life here...I'm beginning to make real relationships here...I'm beginning to have a "normal" routine. Last year I spent the year trying to learn French and feeling totally out-of-my-element. This year, because of that work, and because of the grace God gave me to learn quickly, I can begin to connect with people and do the things I love ---I can just be MYSELF (wearing skinny jeans or not) and there is nothing more real than that!