Hello Belgium!

At long last, we've arrived in Brussels! What a journey! after roughly 9 months of discussion, negotiations, planning, selling, arriving, buying, crashing, we're here!

We have been arriving in shifts (to lessen the load on the locals from "Martin" lag). My daughter and I arrived on August 5, my sons on August 12, and my wife will finally arrive today (after cleaning up the house, tying up loose ends, etc. in the US). I've been two weeks without her, and miss her a lot. To add to the suspense, her flight has been delayed by about 4 hours!

I will start work this afternoon at my new job, so am very excited about that. I have a more strategic role than in the past, and truly look forward to discussing strategy, rather than tasks. The leader of our European practice is very progressive, and I look forward to working with him!

More to come as the life begins to settle here in Belgium! Looking around, getting our bearings, and trying to pin some normalcy to the daily routine. Miss our daughter who's at college in Texas, but she too, has an exciting adventure coming her way!

Packing.......

I have never considered myself to be much of a drama lover, and still don't. But sometimes I wonder how many times I have to learn to relax before I have a stroke. I've spent the last few weeks concerned with visas, kids schooling, my wife's resignation (from her job - hopefully on a permanent basis), my job duties between two countries, etc. However, I was very worried about the moving process - perhaps I remember the painful parts from the last relocation, or have just built up an international move in my mind to some pinnacle that truly doesn't need to be built.

Or, perhaps I am only experiencing the best part of the move. Our moving team was here on a Saturday, and have accomplished a great deal, with little more effort on my part than driving to Wendy's to buy the packing crew their well-deserved lunch. They have packed all of the hard to manage items, like large furniture, artwork (bubble wrap and double walled boxes), and most of the decorations of the house. All of the public rooms are neatly organized with furniture (this too bubble wrapped), and neatly stacked and labeled boxes. Monday/Tuesday, they finish the packing, and then load the container for the trans-Atlantic journey. So the US side of the move seems to be moving along well. Wonder what's waiting once the container arrives in customs/makes its way to Belgium? or unpacking?

In any case, just enjoying the completion of day one of the move with as little projection to the rest of the process as possible. More soon......

GOING, GOING, GONE!

Ok - so it's a bit dramatic - but we finally sold our house. Roughly 80 showings in 90 days. Trying to keep the house clean with three teenagers and showings nearly every day, during the hottest part of the summer! We sold to a nice couple from our home state of Ohio - a doctor and her husband, and even better - they're Ohio State Buckeye Fans!

We have met with them and they are very kind, and we're really glad the house will be with someone who will really appreciate it. We invested in an amazing pool (pictured in an earlier blog), landscaping, and improvements inside as well. We will miss it, but are very happy to be on our way to Belgium!

My wife has also tendered her 2-week notice, and is effectively retiring! I am so glad we can finally have her at home, and she can care for the boys, and keep in touch with our daughter (staying in the US to go to college).

We leave on August 4th, and really look forward to our new adventure! See you all there!

Finally a Travel Date!!

Well, at long last, Belgium will need to prepare for the Martins! Although the house hasn't sold or rented yet, to get the boys acclimated, settled, and otherwise de-Woodlandized before school starts, we've decided that I will take the boys (and Allie for a couple of weeks) to Brussels on August 4! My wife will stay here with the house until it is either sold or rented (sorry Baby!).

We've been talking about, planning for, and waiting for this time since November, 2009. It's taken a significant effort both at home and at work to get this in line, and to finally make it happen. I'm trying to wrap up some details at work and the house to keep things moving here as I depart for Belgium.

I'm very excited to have the kids in Europe for a few weeks to explore, understand the local area, and get used to their new life! We are so excited. I know my wife will be lonely without us for a few weeks, but soon she too will join us in our new home and to begin anew in Europe!

See you all soon!

Fourth of July

To those who aren't American, I will provide you with an out up front. This post is about the US celebration of the 4th of July - our independence celebration.

As you all know, Americans are very proud of our country, and rightly so. We are very proud of the achievements, accomplishments, contributions, victories, and freedoms of those and afforded to those in our country. We love our freedom, our lively spirit, our determination, hard-work, and never-say-die attitude!

Many soldiers have fought and died over the years to protect the freedoms not only of Americans, but of the entire world. We continue to do so today, and will continue to do so in the future. We have a duty to defend those who cannot defend themselves, and to protect and promote freedom everywhere.

We are sometimes villafied for this belief, but that's ok, we can deal with the misconception - which is tested about once in a generation. In WW II, we freed much of Europe and Asia from the Germans and Japanese, and at the cost of hundreds of thousands of American lives. We gladly sacrifice for the freedom of the innocent everywhere, to end tyranny and oppression, murder, violence against women and children, and the ruthless savagery of dictators. We will never be fully appreciated, but that is not our goal or desire. We simply desire freedom for everyone.

One day soon, again we will be called upon to defend the freedoms of Americans and our fellow human beings somewhere. We gladly answer the call.

Today I thank those who fought for me (and continue to do so today), and preserved my freedoms, my right to free speech, free assembly, and the pursuit of happiness and the American way of life. Your sacrifice is remembered today and always by many. Your gift to us is the preservation of the American way of life, and the continued freedom of many around the world. God Bless you and your families, and thank you for your service!

Enough is Enough

OK, we've been talking about moving to Belgium since November, 2009. I've had my assignment package ready since February, 2010. I've had a home rented for me and my family since March, 2010. I've had my work permit for more than two months. I've had my house for sale for going on 3 months. The end is nowhere in sight.

I've been to Brussels twice on business since our househunting trip, and I'm dying to get there permanently! My wife is going crazy waiting for the move! The boys start school in Waterloo on September 1, and we need to give them time to acclimate to Belgium, their new home, new friends, etc before starting. That essentially means I have to sell the house this weekend! Little chance of that - many other homes in our price range have surfaced, and sold in a week. Our home is easily as nice, and the pool is much nicer. Why can't we sell???!!! Fate is just playing with us now!

Oh well, enough whining! I was in Brussels on June 17, and sat in a great place and ate a huge bucket of mussels, drank beer, and oh yeah, then had a handful of Belgian chocolates for dessert! I know, rough. We are just very excited to get on the ground, and start living the Belgian life! Many challenges lie ahead, but great rewards too!

More to come soon!

It's been a while

Ok, so a trip to Vienna and Brussels this week was a teaser. I was in Vienna for a regional conference, then to Brussels to check on the house and some final details. We're waiting for our house in Houston to sell before making the move,and this process is quite trying on your patience.

I was able to spend a few hours roaming around Waterloo, visit the school, and inspect the house after the pre-moving certification. Everything is lined up, and we're ready to go! Belgian beer, mussels,and chocolate-what a wonderful meal!

The wife is very anxious (as am I) to get to Brussels and begin our new adventure! See you soon!