(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 :)
