...to Brussels in love

I love to travel to new places. I also love my kids and want more. Dilemma? Traveling with kids is not only expensive, it is a whole different kind of adventure than the days of traveling pre-parenthood. Remember those? Waking up when you felt like it, to quietness; eating your meals, without interruption; going on a walk, without a stroller, ergo and a years' supply of diapers and wipes; getting a room you don't have to share. So, you'll understand why, every once in awhile, it's nice to get away.

me, happy, with my flea market finds: gorgeous hat and €3 cowboy boots.

And that is why we were so blessed to have Ben's parents take us to Brussels...sans children. My mom so graciously (and capably, might I add) watched my kids while we went away for four blissful days. What was I most looking forward to, apart from the obvious time away with my hubby, you might ask. I will state it simply: belgian waffles. I love them. Growing up, my mom would make strawberry waffles on Saturday mornings and for as long as I can remember they've been mine and my dad's favorite. In Brussels, they have many options for your waffles: plain (not really plain-sugarydelicious!) nutella (also amazing,) strawberries, chocolate, bananas, whipped cream, or any combination of those. Day 1 I got one with strawberries & whipped cream (what I had growing up.) It was ok, but I thought my mom did it better. Day 2 I had it with nutella. yum. Day 3 just plain...perfection. Here's the display. is your mouth watering? Funniest, most satirical part: they give you these chinsy forks to attempt to eat your messy delicacy. Makes you feel like a 2 year old. Then you realize why plain is the way to go: no mess, no cheap fork.

My other favorite food to eat was their chicken shawarma durum. It's a Turkish wrap with very thinly sliced moist chicken, lettuce, garlic mayo, carrots, and purple cabbage. It is honestly SO. GOOD. I think I ate one of these every day as well. When you find what you love, why waste your calories elsewhere? ;) Ben found a local hotspot for mussels. His traveling theory is to eat what the place is known for, so moules frites it was. And Dave and Kimi love salami & cheese, so they found some of the best salami and cheese Brussels had to offer. 

 One thing Ben and I love most about a little time away from our little chickens is a quiet morning. for me it is accompanied with a cup of tea, pastry and devotions...the only unfortunate part is that this particular cup of tea was just shy of nasty. They have a type of milk you don't refrigerate, so whatever they do to make it that way gives it a weird flavor. But, you will not find me complaining one bit about my lovely morning ;)

the flea market was the highlight of the trip for me...got some unmatched finds I was delighted with

the architecture was incredible in this square. and the people watching wasn't too shabby either.

top right: my amazing in-laws

Ben's happy place

our room's view was lovely...and noisy ;)

this building blew.my.mind. it was the biggest thing I'd ever seen and so ornate. breathtaking.

lady and the tramp reenactment

 Ben has been saying for a long time that he wanted to take me on a getaway without kids and when I'm not pregnant...so there you have it! We had a great time together and enjoyed each other immensely. Being away from our kids brings a great, healthy realization that I love the stage of life I'm in right now and I don't want to wish ahead or wish behind. I love that my family life is all-consuming. That my kids suck every last drop out of me. That I wake up changing poopy diapers and go to bed cleaning messy rooms. That every day I pray I don't lose it and that I can show them the love they need. That I depend on the grace of God with each breath of each day. I wouldn't want it any other way.