Oh my goodness. We’re really doing it. We found a house and sent off our contract and security deposit last night.
So. It’s now officially official.
WE’RE MOVING TO FRANCE!
Next up: shopping for plane tickets. We’re aiming to move on February 1st. Which is just 6 short weeks away.
I’m so excited I can hardly stand it.
I’ve been talking about the possibility of this move for months and curious readers have sent in lots of smart questions about the whole adventure. I’ll answer some below.
1) Why are you doing this?
Mostly, it’s because we can. My husband and I both work at home and the kids aren’t in high school yet. We’ve always talked about doing something like this and realized if we didn’t make it happen soon, it wouldn’t happen at all. We hope an experience like this will be very formative for our family and will help our children have more world-minded viewpoints. We are planning to go for a year, but would definitely consider extending our time there if it makes sense.
2) Do you speak French?
Un peu. I studied French in high school and for 2 semesters in college, but I can only remember a few words and phrases. I better get working!
3) Will you keep blogging while you’re there?
For sure. I’m pretty much addicted. Plus it’s my job. I’ll be reporting on all our adventures in case you’re curious to see what a year abroad for a family with young children is like.
4) How did you decide where to live?
Good question. After lots of research, we narrowed our country choice to France. I wasn’t interested in living in Paris (families of 8 don’t always make good city neighbors), but I wanted access to the city. So we looked for towns within 1 or 2 hours of Paris with a direct train. Then it came down to finding an actual house. We wanted something that would fit our large family, was furnished and was in our price range. The house we found (it’s in the countryside of the Normandy region) is amazing! I’ll tell you all about it in a separate post.
5) What about your husband’s job?
His job will remain exactly the same. He works for K12.com as the Director of Foreign Language Curriculum. K12 is based in Washington D.C., but because their offerings are online, Ben Blair can work from anywhere.
6) What are you doing for school for your kids?
K12 is an easy choice for us because of Ben Blair’s work. But we’re determined to help our kids master French as soon as possible, so we’re also looking into the local schools or hiring a tutor. I’ll keep you updated as things develop.
7) What about practical things like selling your house? Getting a car while you’re there? Renter’s insurance and health insurance? Your kids yearly doctor visits?
Some of these things are easy. For example, we rent our house here in Denver and our contract is month-to-month so we can leave at any time. Simple. Other things are more complicated. But we’re working through the challenges one by one. Whenever I have a good tip, I’ll let you know. In fact, I’m considering writing a weekly post where I can discuss some of these practical things. Is that a feature you would like?
8) Are you scared?
Terrified. I keep remembering when Ben Blair and I lived in Greece. Those first few months were so challenging! But ultimately, being there was wonderful for us as a couple and influenced our marriage and our lives in hugely positive ways. I hope (and suspect) the same will be true for our year in France.
Watercolor of Dinan, France by Wayne Roberts
Congratulations/felicitacion! (I think, my French is un peu, too).
I can’t believe you will be leaving in 6 weeks!
I would LOVE to read weekly posts on how one accomplishes a move to a new country…so take good notes! Are you at all nervous about travelling with baby June? My daughter is turning 6 months, and my husband is ready to travel.
I am so excited for you and your family. This will be an incredible life experience for the Blair family!
Heather
LOL @ Sally’s comment (the last two sentences). Sorry, I am sleep deprived due to my 6 mo and I read that a certain way. ;)
How exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about it! So inspiring. Have fun!
Wow — what a thrill!!
I lived in Europe for a few years as a kid and it is illuminating for children to compare life there and here.
The reference to France reminds me of this poster:
http://13things.typepad.com/13_things/2009/07/mais-oui.html
Wishing you all the best. It’s gonna be awesome!!
i’ve been waiting to hear france updates and i’m looking forward to more in the future!! i would love to hear about your experience as my husband and i consider something similar in our future!
your life is too cool…
i’m trying so very hard to be THRILLED for you…
but i’m slightly too envious at the moment.
;-)
Oh, I am green with envy! I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures, and I wish you the best of times as you prepare for this exciting time abroad.
oh my goodness!! i love design mom! i cannot wait for details! coolest family ever！
Shut the front door! Congrats!!!!
Oh, SO much fun! Yes, I’d love to hear anything that you have to say about it all! We’ve talked about living overseas for quite some time, and are kids are getting every closer to those high school years!
Isn’t your sister moving there, as well? In a couple of months? Did that have anything to do with your decision? This is going to be so much fun for you!!
Hooray! That is such good news – can’t wait for all the practical details. How blessed you are!
sounds terrifying and wonderful at the same time. But, mostly EXCITING!
Good memories await!! Heres hoping that your trip will bring all that you wish and more. Can’t wait to see the pictures! oh and the shopping too!
I am absolutly SICK with excitement for you and the fam! Way to go girl, your’e actually doing it!
i would love to hear more about the practical things!!
I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU! I can hardly stand it! Seriously, this is the best news of the day! Good for you. Do it now, before your brood gets any older. I’m a fan of “grab life by the balls and get on with it” (I just made that little slogan up just now) and I admire what you’re doing. I can’t wait to hear more about your adventures! YAY!
I moved to Bangkok, Thailand with my family four years ago- it’s been a truly growing, stretching, and learning time for all of us. The first year had it’s tough times adjustment-wise- def. expect highs and lows and cultural loves and hates. The kids did great- they just adopted Thai culture and feel more at home here than in the States. They go to Thai schools and for us, it’s been a really good experience for learning language and fitting in with the culture. I feel like my kids are world citizens now and I love that. I’m excited to hear all about France through your blog! Blessings on your big adventure!
I am so so happy that you are moving to France! My husband and I along with our two little girls will be embarking to Paris in the fall and staying for a year as well. My husband will be attending Le Cordon Bleu and we’ll be living in the city. I’m so happy you and your sister (I also obviously love her blog too) are doing it a little ahead of us so I can benefit from all your good advice and experiences. Good luck to you all! Hope it’s an amazing experience for all of our families!
-Randi
I think… I’m the most jealous I’ve ever been in my entire life. You’re living a DREAM! a crazy, kid filled SWEETAWESOME dream. i’m so excited for you guys! and tiny June learning to walk in France! mind boggling.
Coolest. idea. ever. I’m so excited for you and your family — what a fun adventure!
Excuse me! But how can you live a full and meaningful life without a True Value in close proximity? I’m sure you’ll manage just fine – but really?!
You are so smart to do this. I agree that it’ll be great for your kids. My husband and I dream of this type of adventure. While his job lets him work at home he still has onsite meetings with clients so no moving is in our future. I’ll be living through your experience in France and cannot wait. Cheers to your family!
My husband and I lived in England for four years and had two children while we were there. We have so many good memories. France sounds wonderful!
I am so excited for you and your family! What an amazing opportunity and how blessed you all are to have it! Can’t wait to hear all the interesting stories and tips you have to tell us about:)
Oh my gosh, this is so exciting! I’m so excited for you! My parents moved my sister and I to Germany when I was in the 6th grade, my sister in first. It was such an amazing 5 years… your kids are going to be so much more aware of the world, cultured, and much “cooler” amongst their friends when you return. :) Europe is awesome. Good luck!!
Yay, can’t wait! I live in Paris with my kids and have loved your blog from afar. And now you are coming to me!
Wow, fantastic news (and jealous about the living in France bit). As someone who has lived in different hemispheres, and has a son who will be living in his third country in seven years come next year, if there is anything I can help with, or give advice, let me know! And the train from Normandy to where I am living here in the UK is not that far you know …. :)
Congratulations. I’m excited and happy for you (although I only know you through your blog).
I want to say that I think that it’s amazing that you’re doing this with your large family. I think that I always thought that now that I have a family, I have to stay put (although Toronto, Canada is a great place to live and raise a family).
I can’t wait to read about it!
How fantastic!
Good luck with your move! I am sure you will all love it! Can’t wait to see all the places you travel too! We live in Germany (my husband is stationed at Ramstein). Who knows- maybe I will see you someday in the streets of Paris!
Fabulous! When I was 5, my parents and I lived in Berlin for a year. (My dad did a Fulbright exchange programs and traded jobs & homes with another teacher and her family). I am forever grateful that I had that experience. I went to first grade in an all-German school and within a few months, I was indistinguishable from a native speaker. I kept it up through the years and am still quite fluent. Having another language, especially one that you can think in and don’t have to translate into is such a gift to give your children! I don’t remember much from my life before we went to Germany–only a handful of memories. But I remember the year there very vividly, and it shaped me for life: it broadened my horizons culturally, linguistically, geographically; gave me a sense of kinship with people who otherwise would have seemed far away and distant; and gave me a sense of identification with another country’s landscape and culture. I think it will be a tremendous blessing for your kids and your whole family. I always planned to give this same experience to my kids–now we have three kids and I’m not sure how it will work out with my husband’s job and my kids’ food allergies, but I still hope it will someday! Best of luck to you!
Yay, congrats! I’m so excited for you. And please oh please write about some practical things in separate posts… my family wants to do thevery same thing in Germany and we are debating trying a month out first. You inspire us to consider jumping in for a year off the bat, though!
that is so cool, good luck to you all.
I am so happy for you and your family, Gabby. Happy (and a tad bit jealous). Bon Voyage mon ami!
This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard.
Good luck to you!
I am so inspired by this…
Love this blog. Congrats on the move, I am sure you will find it interesting. Many Brits live in Normandy so try not to fall in the English language trap :) I hope that you can find a way to stick around for more than a year. I have been in Belgium now for five years, and as have others have said, you don’t seem to fall into a groove until towards the end of year 1.
WOW! I am so excited for you guys. And a wee bit jealous. :-)
Congrats! I didn’t know that about your husband…we used K12 for our homeschooling for 3 years and really liked it. We only switched from it this year as my oldest entered highschool and using K12 as independents became too pricey. If you give homeschooling a try, you will have to let us know!
That is just great!! I can’t wait to hear all of your adventures with your family=) We currently live in Japan and just had our first child, had her in the States and just returned 2 weeks ago with her. I’ll be interested to hear all about your move and getting settled in…so excited for you guys!
Jealous!! And so excited for you!
we have been considering a year abroad with our kids (1 and 3 years old) for some time now. I would love to hear all about how you do this – logistics and all. Please keep us posted on the progress on your blog! Good luck!
I’m so excited for you I got goose bumps. I can’t wait to read about your adjustment to your new home.
someday…. we’ve got a few things to square away first, but someday…
This is SO exciting!!! My husband and I use to talk about doing this in Italy, but with three little ones we are worried it won’t happen. Gabby, you are SO inspiring! I would LOVE to hear the details about all the practicalities. I am so excited for you!!!
What an amazing adventure! It’s definitely something that my husband and I talk about (and often) and would love to do ourselves someday. I can only imagine the amazing adventures you are going to have. Congratulations!
Good For You!
Just like you I have been talking about moving our family to France ( I lived in Paris for 3 years after college) since we got married. But as you know it’s so easy to put it off for various unimportant reasons.
You have given me inspiration to actually make it a reality.
I would love to hear how you do it, mainly about how you will manage the visa situation.
Bon Chance! I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures.
How exciting! Your kids will love it. I studied in Normandy when I was in college and daydream about going back all the time. Normandy is known for its dairy and apples, so be sure to sample plenty of both!
Congratulations! I have a friend in Paris that moved there with her husband’s work and they have a 6 year old and they are loving every minute. I know that this will be an incredible experience for you and your whole family! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
I just came across your blog through a friend. I find it all quite interesting, especially since our family (of 6 now) has lived in France for about 8 years now! We live outside of Nantes (Pays de la Loire region) . God has put our family on a wonderful adventure! I know you’ll learn so much, even in just a year!
If you ever have any questions that you’d like to pose, don’t hesitate!
Praying God’s hand on your family as you make this BIG move!
Di KEENER
Congratulations!!! So exciting!!