It was our first winter in Texas.
We lived in the hilly area of Great Hills in Austin.
And that day there was a miracle. Or at least, that’s what our neighbor called it. In the morning when we woke the ground was covered in a quart inch of snow.

It was our first spring and summer in Texas.
I was as pregnant as pregnant can be.
And those month were a record, it was not how it normally was. Or at least, that’s what everyone told us. 100 days of 100F or higher.

It is our first winter back in the Netherlands.
And this January is the first in years to be like this. Or at least, that’s what everyone here tells us. Snow. Icy streets. Frost and a little more cold.

To be honest, I don’t care whether it’s normal or a little miracle.
All I know is that this is all we needed. Our kids didn’t know better than Dutch winters to be cold and snowy. They looked forward to it. And within days after our arrival they got what they longed for. And they enjoy it! (Most of the time.)

Today I asked them (because that questions was on my tea bag -all Dutch readers now know what brand tea we drink-) In which country they want to live.
Zarah, the one who seems to have the hardest time those weeks, didn’t have to think a moment: “The Netherlands and America!”

“The Netherlands, because there is SNOW. And my grandparents and cousins. America, because that is where my friends live.”

Boaz, the one who seems to adapt the best, didn’t have to think either: “Austin, Texas”, is what he answered, looking up from his book the Magic Tree House, (he doesn’t want me to teach him to read Dutch yet,) while enjoying his Dutch stroopwafels. Which he requested.

I guess this will be their and our answer for a long, long time. Having lived on both sides. Seen the good (and the bad) in both countries. We will all enjoy the good here, while at the same time long for the good there. One moment a little more enjoying, the other a little more longing.

This weekend we did a lot of enjoying. Some real Dutch moments. Snow, the market (where 2 huge bunches of tulips only cost $5.30!!), with the bus to opa and oma and fries with kroket.

The one pic with the three oldest at the bus station is especially Dutch if you look at the background. You see the buses, a windmill and thousands of bikes parked at the station.

And to show that the oldest and youngest in our family also moved with us here a pic of a sweet homey moment, reading at bedtime.

reading at bedtime