Lake Titisee

Well here is 3 more for you. 

1.  We left the house Friday night around 6PM.  Its only a 1.5 hour drive, so getting there at 7:30 is perfect.  20 minutes into the drive MAJOR STAU.  Seriously, I want to ask every German why they bother driving this way when they can clearnly here the traffic report!

2.  We arrived at 9:30 - (note expected arrival 7:30).  Now its dark and our GPS says 'you have arrived at your destination' looking left and right there was clearly NOTHING to be sleeping in.  So we drove to the camp ground, asked a few quick questions, called the noted phone number (no answer) drove around some more with Nick asking - can i watch another movie??  On the third time, we finally connected with the Apartment owner.  She met us at her house and took us to our apartment/house (needless to say, we went ahead based on her directions and ran into a cow farm....  Just a little back tracking to find her again...) 

3.  Upon arrival at the apartment, Chris and I were so determinded to empty the car that we totally forgot about our tiniest bladder.  Little Nicholas did not make it to the potty in time.  That is just crushing for him as he HATES accidents.  So guess we all needed a bath to relax - yes, that was the third and final.The house was BEAUTIFUL and had EVERYTHING we could ever need.  A coffee maker, bread maker, dishwasher....  The list goes on.  But most importantly it had the sweetest little Elephant crib for our man Shane.  It was hand made years ago for the two girls that the owner had.  Beautiful!

Saturday morning we were up and ready to investigate Lake Titisee.  It was a simple walk from our home and Nick was thrilled to have his bike. 

We also found another method of inducing sleep for Shane - the walk....

I really have no idea why the ducks aren't coming over here....

The back pack even acts as an activity saucer!  Perfect.  My other reason for posting this, 30 minutes after taking this photo, we lost the hat!  Yes, that makes 3 in the 'lost' department.  My phone, the puky bike carrying strap and now the hat.  I will admit to being a little flighty and often miss things.  But gosh, these folks snatch it up like candy!  All weekend I walked around looking for whoever grabbed the hat and put it on!  Its so cute and I totally miss it.  But yes, we have others...

Next event was the boat pedaling.  Nick was the Captian and I was the crew.  I got quite the workout and Nick loved being in charge.

The lake is part of the black forest.  All the Brothers Grimm Fairy tales were said to be based in areas within the black forest. 

Chris titles this photo as 'parenting is hard work!'

I title this one as serenity

We opted to take the longer hike back that night.  I love these trees.  Much of the senery we saw was a reminder of Maine and Tahoe together.

Here are some quick photos of our acomodations.  This is the playground right outside our house.  I didn't capture it in the picture, but they had a tramopline!

Here is the home we stayed in.  We were on the Lower left portion.  The home was broken into 4 rather large apartments.

We drove up behind the apartments and this is what we found....  Hmmmmm, permanent campers?  Deakon, want to list this helicopter?  Wonder when was the last time it took flight...

Just leaving you with a cute photo of the Leadbetters.  Great little weekend.

I guess I was getting too confident

Ever have that feeling when things are 'some what' under control.  You can tackle the average mission.  Then, somehow life decides to toss you another struggle to set you out of your comfort level..... 

Just the other day I was talking to Diane about the two things I need with me at any time to make any situation better.  My reply - my Iphone and my water bottle (that chelcy keeps me supplied with as you can only get it at the HEB - I have had the same two for over a year) 

Well you guessed it.  My Iphone is MIA.  Yup, I am quite convinced I left it at the local park.  I have called it over 1 million times.  I just came back from riding to the park in the dark on my husband's bike (that I cleaned for him today - and no, I cannot touch the pedals while sitting on the seat so yes it was uncomfortable)  The phone is no longer ringing through so I am assuming someone found it, picked it up and is loving some Iphone interaction - maybe some good tunes, maybe a little identity theift - who knows.  But I should have seen it coming.

This morning after dropping Nick at kindergarden, Shane and I drove to our gym.  HUGE sign out front saying closed for cleaning from 19 April - 23 April (seriously, there is NO way I could have missed that last week)  I swear they put it up today.  Since when do they need an entire week to clean a gym and pool?  The workers were rocking out to brittany spears as they were cleaning - guess that is good motivation for the next 5 days.

I recently found a cleaning lady - Please understand how difficult that is!!  For some reason asking around for a cleaning lady has caused me anxiety.  German's live in modest houses.  They often share levels with families (meaning the grandparents live downstairs, Kids with their kids upstairs etc...)  They had houses down through generations.  Apartments are rather common and homeownership is not.  So, I already feel like the greedy American as we have the entire house (that you all need to visit).  Now of course its too big that I need someone to help me clean it!!  I always make sure to have Shane on my hip as I casually bring up the topic to someone I think might be on my wave length.  Well I finally found an awesome lady who told me she has had a cleaner for years and she wold be happy to get a number for me....  Well...... 

she was supposed to come Friday.  What does the average person do before the cleaning lady is due to arrive?  Yup, they DONT clean.  Where is my cleanng lady.....  Well, I called Friday evening when I was crushed that she didn't show (let me remind you, she doesn't speak english and I have no idea how much she charges....  She just lives in my town, came recommended and seemed like an effecient lady, in my10 minute meeting with her)  So those calls were very difficult and  hung up the phone not knowing if I was closer to getting her back or losing her - I think I was talking with her husband.  Come to find out today - she is stuck in Turkey. 

So now, if anyone asks me - do you know anyone affected by the Volcanic ash - I will invite them to my house.

Please don't call or text my Iphone as I and it are in morning....

Phew - thanks for letting me vent.  Now I am realizing all my music is downloaded, my contacts merged.  All I need to do is change ALL my passwords and spend a fortune on an unlocked Iphone that I will surely break in the next 30 days.  Sounds like a simple process.  Happy Shopping to me....

Sprouting Teeth!

Yup, Shane is working on them already.  The lower left is the first one to show itself.  There is another brewing on the upper right.  He isn't terribly phased, but gets a little irratable every so ofen - not sure if that is the teeth or other baby life...

Today Chris took the dudes (allowing me some study time) to enjoy a German Gourmet food convention.  The wine, beer, shnaps, cheese and mustard tables were of high emphasis and the boys slept in the stoller while he walked the aisles.  He came back raving about it!  He had what we term as a rather successful German day! 

Rothenburg on a Sunny German day

Today was a beautiful german day.  Sunny and still a little chilly - but perfect for a day's worth of exploring.  Chris was excited to get the family out of the house as he loves nothing more than having a beer in another city!

  We drove about 1.5 hours to Rothenburg.  Its a beautiful old walled city.  You can actually walk along the top of the wall for portions of it.  They built these walls to protect the city - now we need spyware to keep hackers out of our computers.  Oh, how the times have changed.

Can you see the two cute blond dudes in this window - yup, take out that magnifying glass.  Its Chris and Nick

These are the homes outside the walled city.

Enjoying that beer!  The city is such a tourist hot spot that  I am convinced I didn't hear German all day.  I heard French, English, Japanese, Russian- you name it! 

I love this photo as it emotionally reminds me of the Archway in Vilseck, yes, we will have to go back there someday - wonder what my old landlord will think!

The photos are a little outta order - but we popped our heads into the torture museum.  Here I thought the word museum was torture enough! (hahahaha)

I must admit - there was a moment today when we were sitting outside enjoying lunch.  Nick was running around, Shane was happy hanging with us.  Chris and I both had a beer and the sun was shining.  Sure, we could be home working on the yard, trying to make the pond not SO green, studying, working etc.  But isn't that everyday?  Will that task list ever end  No - so I am thankul that my husband finds the importance in taking time like this.  Hope you ejoyed some unscheduled time this weekend.

Finding the time to celebrate

Sometimes you really do need to make time to celebrate!

I purchased a bottle of Don Perion Champagne in 2001.  I was on a staff ride and we were going thrugh Nice France.  As I purcased it, I thought of how exciting it will be to finally pop the top, little did I know the pressure of making sure the celebration was worthy of the bottle. 

Since I purchased the bottle, the following events have occured.....  Keep in mind, these are the big ones -

Bought a house in Febraury 2003
Got married in July 2003
Chris returned from Iraq after 15 months deployed February 2005
Built a house in 2006
Nick was born November 2006
Moved to Germany 2009
Shane was born October 2009

That bottle moved from Germany, Missouri, Texas, Texas, and BACK to Germany.  What was I afraid of?  They will make more champagnefor further celebrations!

Seriously, we never stopped to celebrate?  Well we finally put it in the fridge to chill and cracked it open Thursday night.  We even thought of waiting until after the munchkins were in bed - but than do we really need to wait one more second?? 

Cheers!

Its been a great ride - hope this encourages you to pop the top on a long over due nice bottle of something!

It Happens in 3s.

A note in prayer as it does happen in 3s. 

I spoke with Chelcy friday morning upon learning her Aunt experienced a massive stroke that previous evening.  All the emotions of life's fagility were fresh with her and her family.  Within an hour, I received an email from my mother saying my grandmother had a storke as well.  She was in the beauty salon having her hair and nails done.  They wondered what was taking her so long in the bathroom....  Her sweet hair dresser went in and found her.  They rushed her to the hospital where she is recovering and my mom is with her right now.  Later that day I spoke with Chelcy to find that her Aunt had passed.  As we discussed what the 3rd would be Chelcy noted that one of our close friends discovered her father has prostate cancer.  Thankfully discovered early - so hopefully will be treatable.

Just take this time to be thankful for your health and your family's because life is to be cherished.

chillin with Shane

We mounted a fancy glass 'to do' list our entry way - it has rules - You can only put something on the other person's list if you have crossed something off yours.  Just a little nugget for family taskings....

This weekend Chris REALLY wanted to travel.  But - note above - our to do lists were filled with little things as part of Spring cleaning and planting... in addition, Diane and I signed our families up for the 5K on Patch - so as not to waste money and in the name of exercise, we went.  The boys ran for an hour before the race and than were tasked with the double joggers for race time.  Diane and I were not interested in hearing them complain about not getting a god work out!.

Later that day we headed to downtown stutgart (using public transportation) in search of Lederhosen for Chris & Wayne and Drindle dresses for Diane & I.  Spring fest (the Ocktober fest of Suttgart) is right around the corner and after being here a year, its time to fit in.  Thanks to the Schucks, Shane and Nicholas are already all set! photos to come for sure!  As the story goes, we found the perfect outfits, but wanted to make sure they were the best, so during our additional search, the perfect store closed.  Have I mentioned before that Germans are not all about making the sale!?  We had a wonderful dinner outside at the Pauliner (froze our little fingers off) and headed home via train and bus.  Both boys fell asleep in the stroller - oh how I love the Phil and Ted - let me count the ways

Here's my little Shaney Roo - giving you guys a shout out.  He still amazes me that he is such a happy dude.

Chris captured this one and is convinced it should be recorded to put the rest of us to sleep - its Shane snoring in the stroller and quite theraputic.

Sad god byes - and - Seriously - a biker!

Yes, Macy - saying goodbye is often very sad - especially when you see the love in Shane's eyes. Yes, he wore that shirt for you - since even though for many months, your hair was no where to speak of, he loved you still.....
Thankfully this separation is only for 3 months - but in baby time that is LONG. heck Macy might be walking when we see her again and hopefully Shane will be crawling fast enough to keep up. We will so miss Farrah, Brian, Tate and Macy. Tomorrow they will hopefully hop a Space A flight to the east coast where they will begin their 10+ week stint in the states.



Yes, Macy, that means some serious Target shopping. Enjoy! We will miss you!

As part of Farrah leaving, I asked if we could borrow Tate's bike. I wanted to test my run bike theory. Nick seems to have amazing balance and his legs are getting longer - so maybe we will give a shot at the pedal bike. All the german moms say they started at 3.5/4 years old and that is where Nick is. Plus he LOVES bikes.

He spotted it stashed in the garage and had to try it. After 5 minutes with the training wheels on he said - 'take these things off' so we did. I could feel his balance as I held the back, but he needed help starting and stopping....

We headed off to the local paved park and gave it a shot and this is what we got!

Lance Armstrong WATCH OUT!

The Family Easter gathering

We wanted to post these while it was still easter (and while I was still soaking in the good food coma) Wonderful day together - thank you to Farrah and Brian for hosting =) The Argyle family - where is Shane's?

A successful hunt (see the video below)

The Wisneskis

The Price Family

The Dorsey's
The Coles

The Roberts The lovely ladies
The Kids table - can you believe Nick was the biggest eater?!

The gracious hosts!

Beautiful shot of the country side on the way home

This video is hysterical - especially the part where Nick and Tate are 'sneaking up' on the easter eggs!

The one year assessment

365+ days here in the Stuttgart Germany area and how do we feel about it?? (I am not counting the time in the apartment - althought I will not get that time back, its erased!)

I am currently reading a book called The Happiness Project. Its a month by month focus on just being happier - I love it and wish the author Gretchen was actually my friend. We try to get together monthly with my buddies here to chat about the month and as another wonderful excuse to share an afternoon together. I have tried to get my family in the states to join on - but maybe the pace of life there makes them put blinders on and drive forward - that being said, maybe I am getting better at life here.

This month the Happiness Project refers to a Happiness Fog. You see it all around, but when you try to further investigate it, the 'evidence' it not clear. The month focused on Parenthood which I have been trying to focus this past year as well. Being a stay at home mom has been a source of MANY days hearing Nick run around emptying every box of toys that he owns and Shane asking when his food is coming and me just trying to get life together and get out the door to kindergarden. On Monday of this past week I woke up, showered, brushed my teeth and was READY before ANYONE woke up - AMAZING and I felt great all day. As if I was ahead of the game. Well, Tuesday I woke up 5 minutes after Nick and felt as if I was chasing the 8 ball all day (no I never caught it) that was how the rest of my week continued.

I am living the theme of 'the years go by so fast, but the days are so long!' and trying to find the pleasure in each day. On Monday(yes, the same Monday where I was up early and ready), my cars gas guage was ON EMPTY. (note, gas stations are not open on Sunday) so I drove to the nearest Esso (going to a different gas station result in a $100 fill up as opposed to the $30 fill up, so yes, its worth the drive) I arrived to the station and it was PACKED. Cars were literally stacked in the street. of course I said to myself, crazy germans, if you were open on Sunday this wouldn't be a problem. But as I got closer, I noticed the note on ever pump said - NO DIESEL. Serously? Did Monday morning sneak up on your guys?? No Diesel?? So off I head to find ANOTHER Esso (yes, another 20 minutes on the road) thankfully I made it - but that my friends, is life in Germany. My diamond in the rough that day - I got to listen to Bobby Bones Podcasts for an extra 40 minutes and Shane got a longer nap!

My shining star when I think of the frustrations of Germany.....

they deliver beer - could they really be all bad??

So here's the age old question - 'when are you coming back?' to which I will aswer on the blog where EVERYONE can hear, we have NO idea. I am thankful that Chris enjoys the folks at MC Dean. He is challenged. He is clearly needed and there is plenty of work here right now. Also, his job affords me the ability to stay at home and pursue other interests (right now I am thinking about tackling a fitness instructor position - there I said it, now I have to do it right - 50+ certifications later, I will let you know... Test #1 is Friday 9 April, #2 is 29 April and yes, I should be studying as I write this!)

Chris has asked several times if I would like to work at MC Dean - of course working as husband and wife may not be our best decision (even though we make a killer team)- so it goes out to the rest of you! If you are the kind of person and family that wants this adventure - apply now! The offer is there!

I should also say that we will come home once all our friends and family finally come out here for their Eurpoean vacation!! Imagine that?!

Until than here's hoping Chelcy can atest that my phone calls that sound as if I will hurl myself off the nearest tall building or have removed all my hair in frustration are fewer and further between. Its been a struggle - but we are stronger for it! I must run, the beer delivery truck is here..........

Love you all!

Its official - we have lived here long enough for me to recover our breakfast chair backs - its about darn time - if you cannot already tell - I love Ikea, it just feels like home.