A few updates

We're just about a week away from getting into our apartment! YAY! We're both really ready to get into OUR place.

The car is still being worked on... It needed a little part the guy didn't have so it's still in the shop. It took all day yesterday and hopefully we'll get it back today.

During our welcome to the base meeting a week ago I was able to meet the team leader from WIC here on base at the info fair break. It was only by the grace of God that we started talking.

I was talking to a woman who was there giving out information on employment for spouses on base. She asked what I did and I told her I was a nurse and so on. We got to talking and she said did you look at the Army Hospital's job postings, which I did and there aren't any open nursing positions at all. I was pretty down about it but knew if I was to having a nursing job over here, I'd have one. She gave me some advice on what jobs on base would be better for me to get into and recommended the child care center. That booth was right beside the employment's. She had heard me talking and said they would were in need of providers and with my experience, I would fit right in. I took her card and planned on checking it out until the woman at the WIC booth said she heard me talking and asked if I was a nurse. I told her my background and she said I should really drop my resume off at the WIC office, they needed another nurse. I got her email and sent her my resume. That was last week and I hadn't heard anything since. I was okay either way.

They called this morning and asked if I would like to come in for an interview this Thursday!! I'm pretty excited but I also know if it doesn't work out, there's a reason and it's really okay. Please pray that it goes well! I'll let you know how it goes!

The novel

Sorry this note is so long... brace yourself! We were having some issues with our internet. It's hard to believe we've been here over two weeks! I hope I can say that 2 years from now! It's been a busy past few days and the internet hasn't been on it's best behavior! Ben took the car to get inspected on Friday... it didn't pass. It's almost funny now. haha We have to get it inspected by the base in order to get plates put on it. We can only have temp plates 30 days. When we bought the car the car salesman said if it doesn't pass inspection, bring it back and I'll fix it. He had to of known we'd be back. The muffler needs replaced, a parking light, and something with the windshield wiper. We take it back Monday morning to get worked on.

I have the best husband in the entire world, for real. Yesterday, he got up early to go grab a wireless router at the mall. He just walked in the door and guess what he had for his wife and little one??? A decaf coffee and the big Cinnabon!!!! So wonderful, then I hollered at him for taking a bite of my cinnabon! hahaha

Anyways, now that we have working internet, I can catch up on emails and blog! We had a great weekend and it not over yet!!! Yesterday was the castle tour and medieval dinner, today was church and relaxing, and tomorrow Ben has off for the holiday! Okay, where to begin...

It started out as a cold rainy day yesterday. I kept thinking I'm glad we're not doing a walking city tour today! The leaves are turning so fast and are simply stunning! We hopped on the bus about 1130. We were set with our umbrella, maps, camera, coats, and snacks for me and the baby!! I stayed awake for a few minutes, I had never been on the Autobahn. It really wasn't too bad. The bus driver was an excellent English driver who did not feel the need for speed. It was raining so I think that slowed the people down a little bit. It didn't take long for both of us to feel the strong urge to take a nap! The bus driver had the bus nice and toasty-we were out like lights! It was about a 2 hour ride. I think it was only supposed to be about 1 1/2 but there was quite a bit of construction. I never thought I would say I miss PA traffic patterns in construction zones... but I do. A few minutes before we got into the sweet little town the tour guide for the trip came on and gave a little talk about the castle and town.

Driving down the steep hill into the town of Cochem was so beautiful. The rain had stopped and it was a little overcast but made for the best castle backdrop! You looked out the window and saw fields climbing up the steep hill side along the bank of the Mosul River. I think they were mostly vineyards. We got down into the town and it was exactly what you would think a small European castle town would be. The streets were incredibly narrow and, naturally being on an extra large tour buss,were under construction. We had to stop at times to let others go through first so we could go into the other lane. There were people on the patios of restaurants everywhere! There was also a market going on outside of the town square!

The bus driver dropped us off for our 2 1/2 hour's of free time before we toured the castle and had our dinner. The leader of the group took us through alleys that couldn't possibly have more shops, cafes, and restaurants carved into the sides. Theses aren't like alleys back home, they're about half the width. I was a little worried because I have a hard time with large crowds but it was okay. We made our way to the town square were we would meet to walk up to the castle. We thought we would back track through the madness we just walked through and make a big circle. We stopped into a bakery to grab a pretzel then to a street vendor selling sausages on fresh, homemade buns with spicy brown mustard. Ahh, my mouth just watered again! :)

I just cant get over how in every nook and cranny, there was some type of shop stuffed in there! About every 3-4 shops, there was a shoe store. All leather, mostly knee high boots! It was fun going in a trying to figure out what size I would be. I think 39 is my number! haha We walked through the market looking at all the different type of um... junk they were selling! haha It was like a big yard sale more than a market. There were also alot of beer gardens, naturally. We didn't stop at a beer garden, they were all outside on patios where people can smoke, it was a bit much. We wanted to sit down for a bit so we stopped at the sweetest cafe I have ever seen. On the outside in the display window where all the baked goodies they had- I was sold. We walked in and sat ourselves down in the velvet covered tea room. It had parlor chairs, lace curtains, and doilies. Not to mention how snug everything was!! It wasn't over the top, it was somewhere that I could sit for hours and just watch. we looked at the menu and tried, really tried to figure out something! haha I walked up to the counter to look at the cakes and sweet things. The woman spoke to me in German and I offered my broken hello, good afternoon. They really appreciate attempts at speaking their language and tend to help more if you at least try. She said you pick then I bring to you. haha So I picked out a huge piece of what I thought was chocolate cake and went and sat down. We figured out coffee and cream and ordered that as well. Our waitress brought the coffee in two china tea pots with matching cream, cups, and saucers. It was prefect! The coffee was amazing, simply amazing. The cake... haha wasn't what I thought it was. I just that's just what I get for having no idea and just pointing!! Here there was a type of plum liquor jelly under the bits of cake alternating with layers of real whipped cream. The hubby loved it! I ate the cream and the bits of cake without the plum. We loved it, every bit of it! We were like little kids sitting side by side laughing quietly to ourselves about getting what we deserve having no idea what we're ordering! The older couple across from us kept looking over and smiling. It's not assumed rude or uncommon for people to just stare at you... and they really do. It takes a little to get used to! We sat for awhile long taking our time with our coffees and plum cake.

I stayed up at the town square while my other half went down the river to grab some pictures. I needed to take a break and conserve my energy for the walk up to the castle. I loved sitting by the fountain, people watching. Right around 1600 bells started chiming and as though it was rehearsed the people started singing a German song. It was awesome! I was just standing there in awe! They went on for a few minutes! haha It was so much fun! Then the bells stopped and we all clapped! Quite a few people in the beer garden kept singing and singing. I don't think they heard the bells stop.

We met the group a few minutes later and walked to steep hill to the castle. It was a beautiful climb and wasn't the worst hill I've walked up. We made it to the top and the baby and I needed a drink! I saw a soda machine and went to grab us some water. Well, 10 minutes later I'm still trying to figure out how to work German coke machines. We both tried but couldn't figure out how to do it! I know, I know, how hard can a soda machine be- trust me it was hard! Don't worry there will be pictures to follow.

The tour of the castle was very neat! Both of us were a little let down that it was only one section of the castle but still enjoyed it. We have a ton of pictures to share! After our tour they took us into the castle's chapel for our dinner, which took about 3 hours! It was 5 courses long with no utensils. The first was veggies and dip. I ate pretty much the whole basket. Next was bread and sole. At home when your at a nice restaurants you usually get bread and butter right? Well in Germany you get awesome bread and lard with bits of meat in it. That's right, LARD. At first we thought it was cheese haha. They said it's meant to coat your stomach... and arteries. Next was the soup course. In the medieval times a knight was chosen to test the food to make sure it wasn't poisoned. Guess who the brave knight was? He did a great job! The soup was mainly a chicken broth with spices, peas, and little hunks of meat. After the soup came out the servants came out with two buckets of water and a towel around his neck. You dipped your hands in the water then wiped them off. Gotta love hand sanitizer.

After the soup was taken away they brought out our bibs that also served as our napkins. Our plates were cross cuts of tree trunks. Then the meat came out. Just imagine the size of the drumstick Fred Flintstone ate and it was about that size. Never in my life have I ever seen a turkey leg that big. I was really really trying not to think about the meat until they sat it in front of me. It was almost too much for both of us. After they brought the dirty water bucket around again and we went to the bathroom to wash our hands they brought out the best cheese, the sweetest grapes, and little oatmeal crackers.

All during dinner they had a man singing and playing. They also showed different ways people were punished for not eating enough, or not eating enough. At the end they had two guys knighted for the games they played. It was really neat. We had a great time and are looking forward to more castles!!

Dr.'s Appointment

This little one must be growing again, I'm ready for bed and it's only 7pm. The appointment went okay today. A little frustrating, but okay. We filled all the paper work out and met with the nurse who was wonderful. Because my cycles have always been irregularly irregular, my date are a little confusing. By the my last cycle, if we were to go by that, (which is not correct) I would be 21 weeks and 2 days. I know thats incorrect but it was all she would go on, even though I had the ultrasound on Aug 6 that dated me at 8 weeks. So, that would make be 17 weeks tomorrow! I finally get to see a doctor the 20th and then I'm having an ultrasound the 26th. It was the soonest they could get me in. If there one thing troops and soliders know how to do beside protecting our country, it's making babies.

The car is all taken car of for now! We have new shocks and won't have to go back to the car salesman again. We have to get it inspected again for on base with in the next 30 days but other than that we're set. Thanks for praying and thinking of us!

What a day... :)

Wait to you hear what I have to tell you!!! What a day! Today started very early for us, very early. For Ben, it was 3am early and for me, about 5am early. You see, our temporary housing is super close to the flight line and last night was a very busy night for the flight line. Now don't get me wrong, I love hearing planes and such but, not when it seems like the planes are in our room and I'm trying to sleep. Oh and Beretta heard a dog outside this morning that must have disturbed her peaceful slumber so she thought it was in her right to disturb everyone else's!

After we drug ourselves out of bed be went to our welcome meeting. It was very informational. I have a little better grasp on some things now. I'm also hoping that God was opening some doors for me too. On the way there, a guy Ben works with we telling me about how his wife had a hard time finding a job in her career field. I told him what I did and he pretty much said good luck. The hospital is currently not hiring any nurses, at all. His wife has a degree in lab work and is working in a shop at the mall. I was pretty bummed but wasn't going to let it get me too upset. About halfway through the meeting they had a little info fair with different agency's and programs to help us out. I thought well I better open up my options for employment at least for now. I'm really only looking for something that I can go part time to after the baby. I started talking to the woman who was in charge of employment. She was asking what I did and I said I'm a nurse...etc.. She asked if I checked out the hospital and I told her everything I found out. We talked a little more and she gave me some info about working on base. It amazes me how God works things out, it really does. Right beside the employment woman was the child care and WIC booths. They heard me talking about being a nurse and asked if I would please send them my resume!! I was like WOO HOO, of course I will! So please pray that if this is what I'm to do, things work out!

After our meeting Ben and I had a really nice lunch. I got to see the other side of base and found some good resources! We then left to go pick up our car, or at least we thought we were. Ahh I completely understand that we are the "silly Americans" trying to live in their country, but we're not idiots. We got there and the sales man was like oh well...I don't have the work done on it. To which Ben replied- you told me to pick it up today, the work would be finished. He said yes yes it will be done today-2 hours MAX. So Ben said okay, well be back in 2 hours to pick it up. We went to the base where we're going to live in 15 days and found our apartment building! I was sooo excited! It's a nice area, nothing but housing, but still very nice. It's a newer remolded apartment building. So we drove around saw it then went to the registration building to get the car squared away. We found out just how silly the car sales man thought we were. Thank God the woman just thought Ben was the nicest guy she dealt with all day and went out of her way to help us. Here the car sales man tried to get out of paying the tax he owed to the German government and pass it off on our form. God bless that woman at the desk.

While we were standing in line, I noticed this woman across the room. She look like she was at the end of her rope! She was on the phone with the States trying to get a problem worked out she had with her car they shipped over and was getting no where fast. She also had a screaming 2 year old, a newborn, and was getting no help. Her husband came over from what he was doing at the other window to take the newborn leaving her with the very unhappy little man. I felt so bad for her. She couldn't hear, her son was having a severe meltdown, and she was struggling with the issue of her car. So, I dug in my bag for anything that would distract him. I found a highlighter, some pens, and a note pad. I walked over to her praying she wouldn't think I was so weirdo and started talking softly to the little man. I made a big deal about his baseball shoes! He got real quiet and started warming up to me. I checked to make sure the highlighter was washable and gave it to him. The Mom looked up noticing he stopped screaming and kept mouthing thank you thank you thank you! haha I picked him up and sat on a chair and we colored. I felt so bad for her and her husband. He came back and kept thanking me too! Needless to say, he was so covered in yellow highlighter that he almost glowed haha! The parents said they could care less. I was pretty glad I could help them out.

We left and went back to the car lot to find... da da da daaaa... an unfinished car. Ben was like um, why isn't the car finished? The guy explained that he realized he needed to put 2 shocks on (which was good) and didn't have both so the part wasn't in yet so it would be another 2 hours. Ben reminded him that we needed the car today. We also told him about the little tax issues, which he promptly fixed. So we told him we would wait there until it was done. That got him moving faster. He said they had other cars to fix, we could take the car and come back tomorrow. We had him put it in writing that he owed us work and parts. He seemed pretty surprised at this but, did write it down and sign it. HA! SO, we go back again tomorrow after my doctors appointment.

We're both wore out pretty bad tonight. I'm sorry if somethings aren't spelled correctly or doesn't make a lot of sense... it's been a long day and I'm really not in the mood to go back and reread. haha sorry. Thanks for all your prayers! Good night!

I love Sundays

Before we left I was doing some reading on Germany and the culture. I was so surprised to find that in Germany, Sunday is a day to be taken seriously. There is a quiet time observed for a few hours each day but all day on Sundays. On Sundays the shops are closed, even some of their Internet sites and shut down for the day. We've noticed that it really is quieter on Sundays. I love how the Germans are serious about Sundays. It's very encouraging to see. Unfortunately, Beretta doesn't seem to think Sunday quiet time applies to her and her squeaky. She will chase after the squeaky until she lays down mid-stride or my favorite, hide it from us. The harder she plays, the better she sleeps!

Another traditional Sunday observance in the states, football, is a little more difficult to enjoy. In order to catch a live game in the evening, we'd have to stay up till at least 2am. Afternoon games back home would be like evening games here. We both like watching a good game of football but I guess we wouldn't qualify as die hards. We'll just have to watch is the next day after we hear the score. I remember when Ben was deployed and we talked after the game. He got up super early in the morning just to watch the game.

I took a nice long nap this afternoon! Some days I'm pretty much worthless if I don't catch a nap. I'm thinking it has something to do with the CRAZY dreams I've been having at night. I don't know if that come with pregnancy or just the type of cereal I eat before climbing in bed. Almost all of the crazy dreams have to do with me forgetting to feed the baby! haha Its so awful! I wake up and have to tell myself I don't have a baby to feed right now and that there is no way I would forget to feed the little one!

We have an exciting full week ahead! Ben goes in for the start his training tomorrow. We were supposed to pick up the car tomorrow but the dealer didn't get back to us for the VIN so now we have to wait until Tuesday. In order to register a vehicle here, must must have proof from the insurance company directly which takes no less than 24 hours. Back home we would just show our insurance card but we can't do that here. We're both ready to go exploring around base and see where our apartment is going to be. I can't wait to check out the library and the pool!! As long as we have the car for Wednesday, we'll be just fine. I have my doctors appointment on Wednesday. I'm so glad I could get in quickly but know I won't see a doctor this time. I have to go through the process from the beginning. All of the blood work, the meeting with the nurse educator (which I've already done twice), and then hopefully get scheduled to see a doctor. Oh well. Then Tuesday we have a meeting that's sort of the "Welcome to the base". I'm pretty excited I get to go with him!!

Saturday is going to be an even bigger day, Ben and I are going on a castle tour then a medieval dinner! We were debating between a few options, and decided on the tour and dinner. There are a few different company's that offer guided tours and packages. We thought it would be a good idea to go with a tour since we're not too sure of our way around. It doesn't take Ben long at all to get his sense of direction! Me, well, I have no sense of direction. I try my hardest though! I'll get there some day!

Beautiful Fall Day

Today was absolutely beautiful here. The air was crisp and cool while the sun stayed out all day! It really felt like fall today. The leaves aren't really changing yet but they're starting too. Hopefully it will look a little bit like PA in the fall with all the colors.

We thought it would be a good idea to take a walk to the grocery store since it was so nice outside. I'm pretty sure the was the same idea as everyone else, there wasn't a spare cart to be found. Both of us were seriously thinking about turning right back around and head home. But, we both have developed an addiction to cereal and leaving without milk was not an option! The line for the regular check out wrapped around the store back to the dairy isle. If I had to guess how many carts where backed up for the like I'd have to about 60+. Then the self checkout was at least 30. I was in awe! haha I guess that's what happens after pay day.

We came back and had a good time playing ball with Beretta. She's been sleeping since, which is just fine with me! She's adjusted just fine. We're really trying to put weight on her. Right now the little piglet is up to eatting three, 3 cup meals a day, with some extra snacks here and there!

I've found that the more places we go, the smaller the world! We were walking yesterday and a man and his son were walking by. The little boy was all decked out in Penn State gear and Ben had on his Penn State hat. The guy stopped right away and started talking to us. He had just flown in that morning and was from Lewisburg. It was really nice talking to him. He was really excited to run into people that knew where that was. Also Ben had working with one of his guys a few times.

I really can't believe that we're here. Sometimes it hits me that we're all the way across the ocean, but then it goes away. I wonder how long it will be until it really sinks in for good that we're here. I'm trying not to get antsy about moving into our apartment but its getting a little hard. We're both ready to be settled for awhile! Or at least until the little one comes!

It hasn't been real exciting lately but I'll try to keep up the post's every day or other day. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

16 weeks along, 20 days away, 1 week in and a 1995 BMW

Today I'm 16 weeks along!! I can't believe how fast time goes! I know, what am I going to say when we have this little one? I think time flys now, silly me! I've been feeling okay. I think the little one new today was his/her 16 week benchmark because I was extremely worn out. I'm still having the hardest time eating any type of meat except bacon (go figure). Meat, mainly beef, just makes me gag. I'm really trying to make sure I pack enough protein into my diet with peanut butter, dairy products, eggs, and the carnation breakfast drink along with my breakfast. At dinner tonight I was able to eat more than I ever have at a sitting since I've been pregnant. I was pretty excited about it! Ben couldn't believe we didn't have any leftovers!

Today is also 20 days from when we can move into our apartment and get a routine started. We really haven't had one since... wow I can't remember when. I'm so excited!!! Ben set everything up so that the movers are coming that day and unpacking all of goodies that have been in crates since July 13! The are we're going to be in is mainly just housing so hopefully we'll meet people pretty fast.

We bought a car today!!!! Praise God we found one! It's a 1995 BMW 316i 5 speed, blueish gray. We will put pictures when we get it on Monday. We wanted to get Ben a work car/ little beater that will get us around base, then look for a better family car in a little bit. It's in great shape! Ben and I were laughing, it's going to be the only time we'll own a BMW!

We've almost been here a week, hard to believe that! While it looks so much like PA, its so different here. Like, we still haven't figured out the potty's, and I can't tell the difference between a door bell and a light switch. haha In our temporary apartment building there are light switches outside each door that look the exact same. I was standing outside the first apartment door just pressing the daylights out of the door bell and Ben's just laughing saying "Jaimie, jaimie thats not it" haha Then I had to explain to the man why I wouldn't stop pressing his door bell. I guess I can't win them all!