Army Life

The Military. I watch my friends weather through husbands gone on deployments, change of orders, TDYs, living far from family, uprooting every few years in order to sink down roots elsewhere.........long enough to establish friends, school and a home just before the next move. Now, as I prep for the move Stateside, I am feeling it! Military life is not for the faint of heart!

Mixed Emotions

     Our three year stay in Germany is winding down quick. I have watched most of my friends already leave and next it's us. I can't describe the mixed emotions running through my veins right now. Laura, (my German bestie) said when they left, "It almost feels like I should be mourning." And thats about accurate!

     We have enjoyed 3 years of new places, new food, new people, new EVERYTHING. Not only experienced it, but became accustomed to it.......and even started liking it! I am having a really hard time letting go......letting go of our everyday life over here and all the traveling. Living over here almost seemed like perpetual vacation. Regardless of that fact, I still desperately wanted to take a grand finale trip but its just not happening. The one weekend it would work I fly back for Kat's wedding. Worst of all I feel like two people: a spoiled brat, who is be moaning the fact that we couldn't fit in a few more trips and like the rich guy in the gospel that won't give up everything to follow Christ. 

     Dear Lord, thank you for our special time in Europe. It has been better than I could have imagined by 100 times. Thank you for healing my heart after Theresa's death. It took awhile but moving over here was just what I needed! Moreover, what WE needed. Thank you for Alex and I growing closer to you and adding a new life to our family! Thank you for the beautiful home we lucked out in finding, for Gerda, the Gisla's, Amy, Nick, the Jones's and especially for Gunther. Everywhere we have gone our paths crossed with such extraordinary people. Thank you for Pierce and Gretel and Scarlett. What exceptional kids you have blessed us with! Most of all thank you for loving us. "Behold the one beholding you, smiling." (Tattoos on the Heart). Jesus we love you!

     And now for a small favor, give me the grace of detachment! Jesus I trust you! 

Christmas

Christmas Eve/Day flew by. What fun we had with the kids! Gretel said it perfectly at night prayers, "Thank you God for Jesus being born!"

Ready for Christmas Eve Mass

 Pierce kept creeping down the stairs and peaking around the corner at the tree, "Has St. Nick came yet?" No kid....now go to bed so he can come!!!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

I love Christmas! The music, the lights, the cookies, the eggnog, the smell of pine, but mostly the waiting during Advent.....preparing our hearts for the arrival of Baby Jesus. Each year it gets better and better with the kids. They really 'get' it this year. At prayers it warms my heart to hear their little voices, "Come Baby Jesus, hurry and come!" I am particularly proud of Pierce. He somehow adopted the habit of biting his nails. At the beginning of Advent I told him that in order for St. Nicholas to bring the forest fire Dusty movie he had to stop biting his nails. He quit cold turkey!!! I thought that was pretty impressive self control for a little guy. So....Jana....thank you for playing St. Nick!

I was hell bent to re-create some florentines we had in Chamonix. While making the candied orange peel for them I got a little side tracked. Yep....these little morsels are a delicacy! 

Breakfast with the Grizzlies. 

A Brilliant Fall

I can't get enough of the leaves this year. They are sooooooo beautiful! The trees almost look on fire.

Hansel and Gretel

Our almost daily bike rides.

My toot-bug!