Last Day in Paris

That was a hard day. Paris has been the most amazing experience we could have asked for. Life here has been the best! And I am not exaggerating. Yeah, the studio has not been to much fun, but living in the studio has created stronger family bonds because we are Always together. And that has been pretty great. I have never been happier. Everyday, even if it is a hard day, I go outside and smile because of all the beauty that surrounds me here. The food is the best! I am not sure what we are going to do with out our boulangeries right around several corners or the fresh amazing French cheese that we have been consuming. 

This city is incredible. I feel extremely blessed that we have had this opportunity to live in the world's most beautiful city (and it is the world's most beautiful city). The kids have been introduced to so much culture and had so many nest experiences it is kind of mind blowing. What two year old loves to go to the Louvre? My Cosette, that is who. We are all going to miss Paris.

I have not talked much about our Paris Church experience, and I should have. Our Ward over here has been great! Our first Sunday there a couple around our age from the States introduced themselves and have become some of our best friends. Katherine has become one of my dearest friends and was so wonderful to show me some fun things around Paris that I would have not have ever known to do. Cosette loves her and her husband and is going to miss them a lot. Every third Sunday of the month there would be a Ward meal after church, which was always so fun. That is where we were introduced to our favorite pastry in the world, le frangipane or galette de rois (a large cake like pastry filled with almond mixture. The absolute best!). French was spoken at Church, but there was English translation during sacrament meeting and Relief Society (not in Priesthood though). There was an English speaking Sunday School as well as French and Chinese. Apparently there were about 20 different native tongues spoken in the ward. Every Sunday was a really neat experience because of all the diversity. Lyndon's sister served her mission in Paris about nine years ago and there was one couple in particular that remembered her and was so kind to us because of that. They could not speak English and we could not speak French, but crazy enough we were able to understand each other. I loved going to Relief Society because the lessons were so sincere. The sisters would tell such wonderful stories about how they were blessed through the gospel. It was quite a testimony building experience. I absolutely love how sincere each of them were when they talked about the gospel. It was beautiful! One Sunday the Relief Society presidency recognized the oldest sister in the ward's birthday. After we sang Happy Birthday to her she came around and gave us each a kiss on the cheek. That was something I though was so sweet, because I did not even know her and here she is expressing love for me. I am writing this experience because church is a huge part of our lives. Everywhere we have traveled our church has been there and that is how we have been able to do these adventures successfully. Through our church is where we have made our friends and met people who have helped us out. I could go on and on about how we have been blessed through the people we meet at church. If you are ever in Paris on a Sunday you should check out the Paris Ward. It is a great location visiting wise because it is right up the street from Hotel de Ville and next to the Pompidou Museum. The address is 12 rue St Merri Paris, 75004 France. You will make friends instantly. 
 

Our last week in Paris was surreal. It really could not be ending? Lyndon had finals all week and I was busy packing. There was still so much I wanted to do with the kiddos, but instead of trying to squeeze everything in I decided to take it easy and enjoy our favorite things in Paris. Lots of time was spent at our neighborhood playground by Le Bon Marche and at the Champs de Mars playground (we spend a lot of time at playgrounds). We indulged in as many French goodies as we could handle. Everywhere we went I took mental pictures and savored every experience (even if it was just going to the grocery store) there. 

I am proud to say our last day there we were all packed up! Our train to London did not leave till the evening so we spent the day out and about running last minute errands. Lyndon got a custom made suit for his brother's wedding. It looks amazing on him by the way. We finally put our love lock on the Pont des Arts. I am glad we did it before part of it fell into the Seine. I think it was fitting to leave Paris with our love.




There was one artist we found along the Seine who painted the most beautiful paintings and we really wanted to get one. We found him on a Sunday painting the facade of the Louvre so we could not buy one then. He said he was not sure if he would be there the next day because we had to get one of his paintings. We walked up and down the Seine looking for him, but we did find him and got our painting! Doing all that walking was okay because we were able to say good bye to some favorite places. Cosette cried when we left Notre Dame. She loves Paris so much. Our friends sent us off with a traditional French dinner. We turned in our keys and were off the train station. 

The fact that we were leaving Paris did not really sink in. I did not think about it too much because it made me cry. It still has not sunk in even though we have been gone for about two months now. Writing this has brought back the amazing memories and my heart aches to be back there. At least it is only a short plane ride from New York. 

On the Eurostar off to see the Queen in London! We are four people in two seats. The next adventure begins!