Well here we are, on our way to becoming Southerners. It's going to be journey- we stick out a bit :) Our trip to Germany was amazing (when I get my pictures off my camera I'll post a pile of them), we had a great time being home with family, and it's been a week that we have lived in TN.
While in Germany we entered into a contract with a home. As of the beginning of this week- we are house hunting again. We both were upset but knew it could happen. We're going to check out a few homes tomorrow after church and are very excited. After three months, we are very ready to get our things in order and be in one spot.
When we moved back stateside our household goods came two weeks before Judahcub was born. I'm praying that it does not happen that way again. Mainly because I will be starting a full time night shift job in a NICU here until baby is born. Ben was offered numerous jobs however, they just didn't pay. There was a state job that is still on the table if he can't get into school in the winter. We're hoping that he will be able to start school and I will go part time/per diem. It wasn't our first choice but sometimes you do what you have to do. It's a great job and I'm excited to get back into it. It's the night shift while 6+ months preggo that is unraveling me a bit. On one hand it's great- I will be away while they sleep so if something comes up during the day, I'm there only sleeping :) They are going to do so great with Ben, I'm going to be the one having a hard time. I'm so thankful for the job and that they are hiring me knowing I will be leaving to have a baby. It's a great hospital with great benefits and I've heard nothing but wonderful thing about them. The nurse manager is wonderful and I'm looking forward to working for her.
God has so richly blessed us during our time in transition. We are staying with Ben's Aunt and Uncle so we don't have to rent. They are so sweet and have been the best. The kids love them and are having a great time in their huge yard, feeding chickens, helping in the garden, and getting to know more of their extended family.
Our first weekend here we went with them to Georgia for their annual camping trip. The day we left it was nasty weather so we got a cabin instead of the campsite. It was stunning, really beautiful cabin. I shouldn't say cabin- amazing home by the river perhaps? They were kayaking, playing in the dirt and woods, and having such a great time.
If you will, pray for our home search and job situation? We are so blessed and are extremely thankful and are committed to His will and not our own.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Back in Germany!
(from about 10 days ago)
With the enormous help from our Mommas and our sweet neighbor, we got the house packed up, cleaned,and passed inspection! We are not exaggerating when we say we couldn't have done it with out them. They cleaned, chased kiddos, bathed them, put them down to bed- everything!!
Our inspection was over at 1030 and at 1500 we were waiting to go through security to get on our plane to go to Germany.it worked out beautifully, we're so blessed and thankful! At first I wasn't so sure about having a two hour layover in Canada for refueling but it was the best. We checked the kids car seats so they were just sitting in seats and it just was not working. Judah was so mad that there was cargo right in front of him and he was not allowed on it. He spent the majority of 2.5 hrs angry. We got off in Canada and the terminal was empty, so the wilds cut loose and had a ball running and playing. It's a good thing we had lots of high protein snacks- there was not food there and it was getting late. Before we got off the plane we asked the crew if we could get their car seats and praise God they were right on top of the pile!!!
We got back in the plane and got their seats squared away and thing were 100% better. We reclined them the whole way and they slept the entire flight, even through the rough landing. Aud half woke a few times and cried a little bit but quickly fell back asleep. I guess it helped they were already sleep deprived thanks to the worst move of our military career and them not finishing packing us up till 2300 the night before. I can't talk about it yet, too fresh.
We got into Germany with the local time around 0930. We woke the kids and they did amazing. Ben went and got our rental car while the wilds and I hung out in the hotel lobby. A few other families were there so the kids sat and played like angels till Ben got back. We had something to eat and just relaxed.
We got our cat, checked into our room and took a 2.5 hr nap. When we woke up I needed a hot shower. Much, much, much to my disappointment- we had no hot water. I called the front desk and they said someone will be there shortly. After waiting 30mins the wilds needed some room to run so we ventured out to a playground, had a great German meal, went to the commissary, and then to a German grocery store for Cubbas goats milk. We came back a little before 8 and the kids were smoked. Got them ready for the tub, turned it on, and no COLD water. Then to make things even better, because the cold water wouldn't work- neither did the potty. I called the front desk and was told sorry, we don't have 24hr maintenance- to which I replied "how in the world does a hotel this size that's spread over 3 bases not have someone on call for an emergency?" He said he wasn't sure but he was also the only one at the desk. He was extremely irritated that I was demanding something be done about not having plumbing. At one point he said, it's only for a night mam. After hours of waiting for nothing to be done, a man from CE came at 2300 just to tell me he had no access to the building plans and didn't know where the valves where. I had put hot water in the tub a few hours earlier so I could at least scrub the grime off the wilds but it was about 2330 when they got to bed God love 'em. The kids thought it was the best peeing outside and praise God that's all they had to do. The next morning maintenance showed up at 1030 and fixed it right away. We got ready and went to the front desk to talk to a manager who was fantastic and was very efficient. We didn't have to pay for the night before and we're assured that the matter will be felt with and more training for the desk staff about matters such as plumbing emergencies.
We made a huge error next, Cubba was sleepy but since he had just woke up 2hrs prior we thought he'd nap in the car for just enough of a nap to get him through so we could get back to a decent bedtime. He didn't sleep in the car. We should have taken them back to the hotel for a long nap. We found out about that time a dear friend from WA, who we haven't seen in over 5yrs was in the same area as us. She was free for the rest of the day and was leaving in the morning. We were beyond excited!!!! We meet up with her, she'd some tears, played at the gardenshau and had a wonderful dinner. It was such a blessing being able to watch her love on my babies, and watch them hold her hands, so sweet! To think 5 years ago were chit chatting about cooking and now - itwas about our babies :) We were heading back to base around 1800 and Cubba fell asleep instantly in the car, before we were out of the parking lot :) Got them home and he woke up, wanted a bath, then was in bed sleeping by 1900-both of them. We'll, 3 hrs later they both were up, rip roaring and ready to go!! Ooh jet lag, you're so much better with kiddos. So we snuggled into the pull out couch and watched a movie and a half of another. 0130 and all of us were sleeping till our German friend woke us up at 1115.
I was hoping to attach some pictures to this post but they aren't all syncing :) Anyways- we're on week 2 of or vacation and still can't believe we're here and have another 2 weeks :)
With the enormous help from our Mommas and our sweet neighbor, we got the house packed up, cleaned,and passed inspection! We are not exaggerating when we say we couldn't have done it with out them. They cleaned, chased kiddos, bathed them, put them down to bed- everything!!
Our inspection was over at 1030 and at 1500 we were waiting to go through security to get on our plane to go to Germany.it worked out beautifully, we're so blessed and thankful! At first I wasn't so sure about having a two hour layover in Canada for refueling but it was the best. We checked the kids car seats so they were just sitting in seats and it just was not working. Judah was so mad that there was cargo right in front of him and he was not allowed on it. He spent the majority of 2.5 hrs angry. We got off in Canada and the terminal was empty, so the wilds cut loose and had a ball running and playing. It's a good thing we had lots of high protein snacks- there was not food there and it was getting late. Before we got off the plane we asked the crew if we could get their car seats and praise God they were right on top of the pile!!!
We got back in the plane and got their seats squared away and thing were 100% better. We reclined them the whole way and they slept the entire flight, even through the rough landing. Aud half woke a few times and cried a little bit but quickly fell back asleep. I guess it helped they were already sleep deprived thanks to the worst move of our military career and them not finishing packing us up till 2300 the night before. I can't talk about it yet, too fresh.
We got into Germany with the local time around 0930. We woke the kids and they did amazing. Ben went and got our rental car while the wilds and I hung out in the hotel lobby. A few other families were there so the kids sat and played like angels till Ben got back. We had something to eat and just relaxed.
We got our cat, checked into our room and took a 2.5 hr nap. When we woke up I needed a hot shower. Much, much, much to my disappointment- we had no hot water. I called the front desk and they said someone will be there shortly. After waiting 30mins the wilds needed some room to run so we ventured out to a playground, had a great German meal, went to the commissary, and then to a German grocery store for Cubbas goats milk. We came back a little before 8 and the kids were smoked. Got them ready for the tub, turned it on, and no COLD water. Then to make things even better, because the cold water wouldn't work- neither did the potty. I called the front desk and was told sorry, we don't have 24hr maintenance- to which I replied "how in the world does a hotel this size that's spread over 3 bases not have someone on call for an emergency?" He said he wasn't sure but he was also the only one at the desk. He was extremely irritated that I was demanding something be done about not having plumbing. At one point he said, it's only for a night mam. After hours of waiting for nothing to be done, a man from CE came at 2300 just to tell me he had no access to the building plans and didn't know where the valves where. I had put hot water in the tub a few hours earlier so I could at least scrub the grime off the wilds but it was about 2330 when they got to bed God love 'em. The kids thought it was the best peeing outside and praise God that's all they had to do. The next morning maintenance showed up at 1030 and fixed it right away. We got ready and went to the front desk to talk to a manager who was fantastic and was very efficient. We didn't have to pay for the night before and we're assured that the matter will be felt with and more training for the desk staff about matters such as plumbing emergencies.
We made a huge error next, Cubba was sleepy but since he had just woke up 2hrs prior we thought he'd nap in the car for just enough of a nap to get him through so we could get back to a decent bedtime. He didn't sleep in the car. We should have taken them back to the hotel for a long nap. We found out about that time a dear friend from WA, who we haven't seen in over 5yrs was in the same area as us. She was free for the rest of the day and was leaving in the morning. We were beyond excited!!!! We meet up with her, she'd some tears, played at the gardenshau and had a wonderful dinner. It was such a blessing being able to watch her love on my babies, and watch them hold her hands, so sweet! To think 5 years ago were chit chatting about cooking and now - itwas about our babies :) We were heading back to base around 1800 and Cubba fell asleep instantly in the car, before we were out of the parking lot :) Got them home and he woke up, wanted a bath, then was in bed sleeping by 1900-both of them. We'll, 3 hrs later they both were up, rip roaring and ready to go!! Ooh jet lag, you're so much better with kiddos. So we snuggled into the pull out couch and watched a movie and a half of another. 0130 and all of us were sleeping till our German friend woke us up at 1115.
I was hoping to attach some pictures to this post but they aren't all syncing :) Anyways- we're on week 2 of or vacation and still can't believe we're here and have another 2 weeks :)
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Weekend in Baltimore Part I
While we're on the East Coast we're trying to cross off a few places we've wanted to check out. Since we're working on saving all the vacation time we can, we're just doing weekend trips or Saturday trips. This month(March..opps) we checked out Baltimore. We heard all this crazy stuff about their children's museum and the aquarium. Usually we wouldn't have those as a focus but, the kids are super into fish/sharks right now so it worked. Both places were nice, however I don't think there will be a return to either of those places. On our way home we stopped at Fort McHenry (the birthplace of the nation anthem) and that is where we would go back to and spend a morning or afternoon.
I thought it was so funny that right outside of the museum, there was a beer garden(on the right side of the picture below), how fitting :)
Judah was so excited to see Elmo, but wasn't so sure about standing beside him
The boy was made to bounce.
The next two pictures are the 3 story jungle gym thing in the center of the museum. At first it was great, then Aud went down the slide and didn't wait for me to get down there before she took off again. I had eyes on her the whole time but couldn't get to her. The security was great but the thought of it and the masses of kids just about put me over the edge... we left right after.
I promise this was just water.
Where we had dinner- very yummy and top notch service!
The aquarium
After all day walking- this is how we finished up checking the Inner Harbor Out. The kids did some awesome and loved the trip. Aud still talks about it and wants to go back.
One wore out wildwoman.
Easter Weekend
I slacked. These are the only pictures I have of Easter Weekend.
The cooler was packed, waiting by the door for Ben to take out to the car and when I come around the corner- this is what I see. I guess they were thirsty and saw the cooler sitting right there. I promise you Ben and I do not drink from the carton. We don't drink cows milk and drinking almond milk from the carton makes me want to gag. And I won't even go there with goats milk.
Milk mustaches!
Audrey and Ben love to go fishing together. It's what they do on their special dates... that and get cupcakes or doughnuts. My Dad took us to a friend of his that was so sweet to let them fish in the pond. She did awesome bringing in the huge catfish!
First time seeing a catfish up close... then it moved and she screamed! hahaha
I love the hands on her face!
The night before Easter and look who hopped in the window! :) The kids LOVED following the Easter Bunny's tracks and were over the top excited to see their baskets in the morning.
Easter Baskets full of soccer balls, tooth brushes (I know), books, and the movie Frozen.
The Easter Bunny even hid Oma and Poppa's Easter Baskets to the wilds! It was full of Chex mis, M&M's, and a coloring pad.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Judah's 22 Months!
OOPS- found this draft... I didn't finish it but here are some 22 month pictures of the wild man.
In just a few more months 'Cubba boy will be 2!!! Here's the happenings of last month in the life of Judah :)
Lil' bugger face!
Running up to me in motion of throwing his ball... :)
Our German balance bike passed on down to Judahcub! He LOVES it and is really good at it!
Like my Aunt said, "He's choosing to do it the creative way"
I think this picture is the best. haha I think Judah is really just hollerin' for the TOOL but it looks like he's playing the supervisor role here.
Seems to be a good place to lay.
Snuggling for .3 seconds the on to...
...climbing and wrestle mania.
It fits!
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