parlez-vous anglais?

That's "do you speak English" in French for those of you who aren't keeping up with your high school foreign language credit. This was essential when Matthew, Silas and I ventured off on our own through the southern french countryside. We stayed in some of the most remote places that could only be found through the art of google. Literally... these places came right out of a side table travel book. It was spectacular. We loved our first family adventure, and what's more, we continued to see God work time and time again. Whether it was our car running on fumes and no gas station accepting our credit card, or learning to master the 5-speed in European traffic, or having one-percent battery left on our iPhone that was providing us directions to our bed and breakfast, God always came through, and we managed to make it to every destination on our itinerary. No matter where we are or what we are doing, it's amazing how often we can view God's faithfulness if we only open our eyes.

We woke up early to catch our train to France. Silas wasn't quite as excited about the wake up call.

He quickly changed his energy level though, once ipad games were introduced.

Just having a typical lunch in the Bordeaux region. You know... just another Friday.

Our first bed and breakfast in La Roque-Gageac (a small town outside Bordeaux) was unbelievable. We got there in time for appetizers on the lawn and met a family from Australia on "winter holiday." I can't make this up. 

It was an amazing B&B, a hidden gem.

The quiet town had a literal "river running through it." Amazing.

For a bed and breakfast, this place got thumbs up on both accounts.

I approved all consumed coffee in France. They know the proper serving size for coffee mugs.

And toys were supplied on the lawn after breakfast. I think Silas just figured we were in Heaven. :)

Matthew took us through, "Oradour Sur Glane," a town in southern France that Hitler decided to burn during his retreat back to Germany. They did nothing wrong, they simply posed as a punching bag for a man whose pride and plans had both been threatened. He cared not that over one hundred children would be murdered that day, nor did take note of the over 500 inhabitants of the town. But today it stands exactly as it did that day in order to preserve and honor the memory of those who were affected by the tragedy of WWII in hopes of avoiding another worldwide act of hatred.

It was humbling to see such ruins, but I'm thankful we could see and remember the freedoms we have in our country today.

B&B number two also didn't skimp on the breakfast title. It was crazy good.

They also had a beautiful and friendly dog on the premises named Harry, whom Silas adored.

We were told they hadn't seen Americans this far out in the country at their inn in many years.

After arriving at our final destination in Paris, we had to replicate a memory Matthew and I had during our Honeymoon. We went to the same Creperia and ordered the same thing we did back in 2011. Silas could sense our joy!

Outside Notre-Dame we all waved bye to our amazing journey through Europe.

 ~FrenchBuster