The French Connection

                                                               

Faraway from where I am is a French family forgetting their English, forgoing their green vegetables, skipping out on mopping the floor, eating a ton of crepes, riding BMX, studying for exams, philosophizing over coffee and wondering when they are going to see their American mother again.

The French family sent me a photo of Mr. Crepe Boy lounging on a fixer-upper fainting chair. A fainting chair that a neighbor friend brought over for me to have. Isn't that way too nice; French friends who give you French antiques!

I love looking at Mr. Crepe Boy goofing off before going to school. Look at him eating crepes like a king, with milk in a wine glass, wearing slippers, socks and hey did he cut all his curls off!

Come to think about it did French husband cut his long hair off as well!

At first I thought French Husband took this photo while thinking of me. As if he leaned back with his arm outstretched smiling that "I-know-you-kind-of-smile," but now looking at this photo I think he is leaning back with his arms outstretched thinking, "I bet I could be bald and you would still dig me!"

                                             

The long and short of the French connection is that I miss them. Even more so because they are forgetting their English, forgoing their green vegetables, skipping out on mopping the floor, eating a ton of crepes, riding BMX, studying for exams, flying planes, philosophizing over coffee...

Comments

[Christopher]

Hello,

I was reading http://journals.aol.com/attitudeslc/inspiration/ blog and I saw a link to your blog and I started reading.. Wow you have a very interesting life..... Question.. Your all american right? yourself, son, daughter but just live in La France? Oui? NON?

I am guessing you dont speak english at home since you said your kids are forgetting their english. I guess you all speak french all the time oui?

I like your blog keep up the good work!

Take Care,
--- Christopher

http://journals.aol.com/cmarlow480/ChristophersJournal/

[Miz Booshay]

`Wonderful photos Corey!!! Funny family :o)

And I just love how sweetly your son's arm is tightly around his big sister's shoulder! That are so cute ....and their closeness is lovely!

I'll bet you miss them all so much!

[beachy]

They always say "home is where the heart is", and how fortunate you are to have two homes, because your heart is in two places! And I can't thing of two better places to call home... California and France! =) hugs & kisses, my dear!

[susanna]

Awww...this post made me smile today. Your son is so funny! His antics must crack you up. You have a terrific family, Corey.

[Liz Ness]

Aw...you have such an awesome family. I'm so sorry you and your father are going through such a difficult time. HUGS/love to you and a big giant thank you for sharing your life with us.

[cruststation]

Rest assured that they miss you just as much, the family pictures are there as a reminder that they keep you close to heart.x

[Merisi's]

Re your April 4 post, "The key is hope"

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

(Emily Dickinson)

The fourth was my sister's birthday.

Hugs for you!

[Travelingmama@pobox.com]

That picture was absolutely hysterical! What a wise guy!

[Gillian]

Corey
I'll bet you miss them too! ;D
They will be happy to see you again, no doubt.
xo

[Tanya]

That was such a sweet post. You must be missing your family like crazy. Hope you can return home soon!

[Joy]

Hello Corey,

I haven't been to visit your blog in a while and am sorry to hear your father is sick. My heart goes out to you - my father is currently having heart problems and your posts have brought tears to me eyes. You are such a beautiful writer and communicator.

And yes, I agree, the key is hope. Without it we have nothing....

God Bless...

Joy

[Bridget]

Beautiful loving family!Precious treasure!

[Paris Parfait]

We should all have neighbours like that who give away gorgeous antiques! I'm sure your family misses you just as much as you miss them, Corey. Hoping you'll get your reunion soon! xo

[sara]

The photo of your children is worth framing, my goodness, so heart warming!!

[Kas]

Love how Sacha has his little pinky finger raised in the air while lounging & eating :)
Such a beautiful family ~ I keep them in my prayers as well. I can only imagine how much you miss each other.

[Vicki]

I loved your post....Crepe Boy is a stitch. You have a wonderful family which is a testament to yours and FH parenting!!!
I am sure everyone misses each other tremendously!!! You are a great daughter, wife and mother Corey!!!

[Marie-Noëlle]

When I saw that first picture of Sacha, I thought:
- Sacha the Pascha (Pacha?)!
- He HAS been keeping mopping...
the "méridienne" (since their return from the States)!
- He has outraged the étiquette : no bare legs to be seen!!!- "Where are your stockings, Sacha?"
And no bare head either!!!- Where is your whig?

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

I'VE BEEN AWAY FROM MY COMPUTER , MY FRIENDS, MY LIFE...
BUT I'VE BEEN THINKING OF YOU
TODAY , I CHECK AND I SEE SOMETHING FRENCH !
I LOVE THE PICTURE WITH SACHA ON THE MERIDIENNE ...I LOVE THIS PIECE .
DON'T WORRY THEY WON'T FORGET ANYTHING AND THEY ARE SHARING IN THEIR HEART EVERY MOMENT , YOU ARE WITH THEM

[Tracie]

Corey,
You're where you need to be now and you've got a loving family waiting for you, supporting you.

You can tell by the photos just how much you're loved and missed. And you're being loved where you are now as well.
~Tracie

[Elaine L.]

Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Have you heard anything of the young lovers? How was the March reunion?

~elaine~

[Elaine L.]

Your son is adorable!

I think the fact that your family is strong,
and capable of getting along without you there, is a wonderful testament to your marriage and the way you and FH have raised the children.

Many families would fall apart without the cement that holds the family together.

You are truly to be commended.

~elaine~

[cheeky]

C~
Thinking of you and hoping you are faring well. It will be a wondrous day when you are reunited with French Family. I'm sure they miss you to bits!
Love the photo of C & S. Warms my heart. Can only imagine what it is doing for yours.
xo

[Marva Plummer-Bruno]

Corey - you have a beautiful family and I'm sure they're missing you terribly, despite the fact that they're getting really sick of crepes (yeah right). :) Marva

[Jen]

You really are a good daughter because I can't think of another good reason to leave that hot husband behind!!! Wow! I hope you can get home soon.

[Mimi]

yes mom,
they are doing all those things...but they are also MISSING THEIR AMERICAN MOM!!!
Love,
Mimi

[cat]

Maybe it's time to go home to be with your children and to be with your french husband .... just to take a peek and get and give hugs... Just a thought.. .You are wonderful. You will be back to CA. in a heartbeat.I'm sure your parents would want you to .... xoxo All the best. ( I have walked in your shoes...)

[Valerie]

I love the way they send such great photos to cheer you up. Their English won't be forgotten, I'm betting there are vegetables eaten as well as crepes, and poof! who cares about the floors? Lovely, lovely family!

[Nancy ~ Fete et Fleur]

I love the picture of your son. They all look like they are living "La vida loca"!

They must miss you terribly, just like you are missing them. How wonderful to have such fun and crazy people to love.

Hugs! Nancy

[Pat]

Corey, I love this post so much! Beautiful photos of your beautiful family!

Pat

[Bonnie Buckingham]

And missing you. I thought about that
yesterday as you were brought to mind.
I find that so interesting of the Holy
Spirit because I've never met you or your
family BUT God is able to do amazing things
with this technology. He will meet all needs.
He says so!

Bonnie

[Bonnie Buckingham]

And missing you. I thought about that
yesterday as you were brought to mind.
I find that so interesting of the Holy
Spirit because I've never met you or your
family BUT God is able to do amazing things
with this technology. He will meet all needs.
He says so!

Bonnie

[tinker]

They may be forgetting about mopping, their vegetables and maybe just a little bit of their English - but they could never forget you. You can tell the King of Crepes is thinking of his mama - notice how he makes sure to still not put his slippers on that lovely fainting couch...and you can see from the look in French husband's eyes, he is thinking of only one thing - you!
Thank heavens for the miracles of the internet and e-mail so you all can still be together, at least a little bit - virtually - but still I'm sure it must be so hard on all of you who love one another so, to be apart so long. Hang in there, Corey~xo

[Darlene]

Ha! French son looks adorable
I think the French family + 1 american mum
are beautiful!

xo darlene

[Tammy]

You are what holds them together...but isn't it nice to know they miss you and need you. Loved the crepe boy..heheh somehow I don't think it would be hard to get into that habit.

Still praying.
love and blessings

[marcie]

There are times this cyberspace is a wonderful thing..like telephones and airplanes. What would we do without them. Thank you for sharing,,,,I dont think your family ever takes a bad picture. I enjoyed your article in Somerset Life Corey. You will be back to the "regular" life style again, taking pictures and writing more articles,, and wonder how you got through this long time away. You will know when its time to return..it will all be ok.

[tommie]

love his little pinky perked to attention....I know your heart must be torn. My husband was gone for 15 months, it NEVER got any easier. It did give me a new appreciation for all the things he is and does though!

[pam]

Corey, you have made me smile today. It's wonderful to see how your family is cheering you from where they are in France...that IS love! It's true that you are separated by many miles, but also true that all of your hearts are entwined. What a sweet and funny bunch they are. You are richly blessed to have family both here and there. Love and prayers to you, dear.

[rositta]

Someday in the not to distant future, my husband will have to make the trip to Greece without me to be with his Mom. If we are lucky we will both be able to go but if not, I will miss him but know that this is what has to be done. You and your family know that too and that is what allows you all to get through this difficult time...thinking of you:)

[Teresa ~French Poppy]

I don't think it would be hard to fall into eating crepes, and not veggies, now that's my kinda life. I hope you can reunite with your family soon, it must be very difficult for everyone. Prayers & thoughts are with all of you.

Teresa
xo

[Linda]

Let's face it, things fall apart when mother is away-the glue that holds it all together.

[misti]

LOL that is hilarious! I think they are relishing their time without mom (ie: getting away with stuff!), but I'm sure they miss you a lot, too.

[Caren K]

Corey~This post made my laugh and smile! Mostly because I could hear your smile in your writing. It has been a long time. But just think how much MORE they appreciate you since you have been gone!!!! Good wishes and prayers to you and your family. Caren

[FH]

WE MISS YOU, COREY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Miss Sandy]

Corey,
I am so sorry your heart is home sick! Love the photo of your son, it must be such good medicine for your mother heart! You must feel so divided right now. Still praying dear one.

[Merisi]

Oh I can read that boy's thoughts while he's pouring that milk into the wine glass! May love bridge the distance.

[Renee]

Oh that King crepe is too funny. The pinky just slays me : )

I bet they miss you sooooo much!

[~Kim]

Ha~ha! Your son is hilarious and you crack me up the way you write about your husband! :-)
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
~Proverbs 17:22

[bleeding espresso]

They do send you *fabulous* photos though, don't they?

[Stephanie]

It must be very lonely for them as well, but that picture of crepe boy! priceless!

x...x

[rochambeau]

They must miss you very much Corey. seems they know you are where you are meant to be right now.
They share you, because it is important.
They share you out of love and concern.
We all need one another.
It is a mature love that knows how to share.

thinking of you.
xo
c