After asking and reminding Mandy for an updated blog several times,I was asked if I could write her blog this time. Wow, not prepared for that but I will give it my best try....

Where to start?

Last year January when Dave and myself decided we would like to welcome an au pair in our family we were very clear on one thing, it had to be someone who spoke Dutch. The agencies had not that much to offer and after interviewing Belgians (funny accent), South Africans (even funnier Dutch) and some Dutch girls that did not want to come to the USA to speak Dutch, we were not very hopeful anymore. But then, one morning we got a call from the agency talking about this wonderful Dutch young lady that just joined the program. Before even looking at her full profile we decided we wanted to talk and we put in the request for a Skype call. Less then 24 hours later we first "met". I can truly not remember what we talked about or how long we talked, I do remember telling Dave, this is it, we have such a good click, I am really hoping she feels the same and wants to be our au pair!

Numerous phone calls, emails and more Skype conversations later all we could do waswait for Mandy to decide if we were the family she wanted to match with. Going away for a year is a huge step and while we didn't want to pressure her we were growing slightly desperate thinking we would never find this special click again with someone else. Lucky us, she wanted to match also and before we knew it it was April 11 and time to pick her up in the city!

The car loaded with 3 very excited kids we drove to the city and from the first moment we met live it was comfortable. Never any awkwardness, just natural, fun and like it was meant to be.
In the first weeks there was an overload of information, people, birthday parties and other new things for her to deal with but not once did it feel strange. Mandy dived in and was part of our family and our lives almost immediately!
We have had so many great moments, weekends away in Washington and Rhode Island, afternoons at the pool, evenings filled with BBQs and laughter. Catching fireflies, visiting carnivals, last school days, first school days and everything in between! We also had some more difficult moments but found ways to work around them, talk about them and keep the balance more than positive.

Now 7 months later if still feels that way, Mandy brought so much more to our household then just the Dutch language. Our house is so much more fun, more organized and more alive since she is with us. The kids adore her and she adores them.
We have found the perfect added family member who has become a friend to us all, and an ally in bringing up our children. We are delighted that she has decided to stay with us for another year and are looking forward to lots more fun, memories and special moments!!

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