The strength of those around me.

Just a little mom blurb from me.  This week I was drudgingly solo as Chris headed to Molsworth working on a rather large project out there.  On my way to Diane's I quickly snapped myself out of it.  Amy would be there who has the strength to endure a year long separation, she is packing her family for Michigan while her sole mate, Rick heads to Kazakhstan for his command.  Natalie is juggling her two young girls solo for the next three months as Steve is taking classes in the states.  Shannon prepped a wonderful salad and a birthday cake for her daughter solo as her husband deployed in March to Afganistan for a year.  That is just to name a few of the wonderful military families that endure separation as part of their chosen live and devotion to a career.  They do it and still continue on with their lives, raising their children, bringing food, coordinating events and exploring Europe - solo.  While we are no longer military, we are thankful to be surrounded by the strength of conviction of these truly wonderful families and hope they remain strong and blessed.  I am glad to be strengthened by them every day.

While I was solo - I was actually not terribly bothered as Shane woke up with a nightmare at 4:30 Thursday morning.  He is an amazing sleeper and never wakes up.  But I heard in crying for mama and I, bleared eyed walked downstairs to comfort him.  He curled back up in my arms and I enjoyed holding his 18 month old body that night.  It wasn't so fun when everyone woke up at 6:15 - but I promised myself to treasure this time with him.  I am fortunate.

A Royal Tea Lunch Bunch

In honor of the Royal Wedding, Melody planned a beautiful lunch bunch at a Tea house over looking downtown Stuttgart.  It turned out to be the most perfect afternoon for a beautiful ladies brunch out.  The Tea house was even hosting a wedding of their own that day so we were pampered with beautiful table decorations and cakes to gaulk at.  The famous (to us) cupcake store was supplying the cake and treats - yum yum!  Farrah even asked to snag one.  Not sure if the 'sweet' guy caught onto her tricks, but we left with our mouths watering for something sweet - I will have something baking in 5 minutes!

Like the 'wind blwon effect - just be thankful that none of our dresses got caught =) 

I want to super-impose Ms. Ashley in this photo (and open Ms. Lindseys beautiful eyes!).  She meet up with us today with her sweet 10 day old baby peter (who was an angel during our lunch!)  It was her first real outing and we are fortunate she spent it with us.  Although she missed the photo, she got out before the raindrops fell

Thanks ladies for a great day!

Easter Brunch Sunday and the brunch that continued.....

Nick snuck downstairs early in the morning and was thrilled to report that the Easter bunny visited last night.  He discovered his cute little basket on the table and eyed the eggs outside for hunting.

Sadly, before the hunting began, Nick was toying with his new sunglasses - actually they were Shane's - and broke them.  I was instantly crushed as I had searched all over for kids glasses and finally found some reasonable pairs and had them shipped through Amazon.  Nick learned a more difficult tale - although he broke Shane's sunglasses, Nick would now have to offer Shane his own pair in forgiveness.

Now, onto the leadbetter egg search

Shane was offering some direction

After our festivites we got gussied up and headed out to the Wisneski's for an Easter family brunch

Wayne and Diane hosting a beautiful and relaxing afternoon.  There was so much food.  We had enough for lunch, dinner and for everyone to come back again on Monday to eat the leftovers!!  Comfortable chatting was heard everywhere and no one wanted to leave.  The weather was perfect (even melted the chocolate surprises in the eggs a bit)  Funny note - as Nick collected up his eggs, he told me it was trying harder to find eggs for Tate since he couldn't be there.

Darion and Elise mapped out a little egg hunt for the munchkins and later we were even entertained by a sweet play directed by Ms. Vivian

Here is Shane demonstrating the true relaxation he feels at Ms. Diane's house.  Blake doesn't mind sharing the seat right now...  This is when we came back for leftovers on Monday (I really wasn't kidding about that!) so Shane is not in his Sunday best anymore...

Thanks for being part of our 'chosen' family

Little slugger and a biker??

This weekend was a chill sporting weekend.  Nick's first T-ball game (sport #3 if you are all counting)  He is part of the NY Mets (I am impressed with the rather professional uniforms!)  Nick loves the orange, but their coach is a HUGE Yankee's fan and our entire family loves the Redsoxs, so we hope this 'Mets' thing doesn't stick...  Here's our little slugger as the lead off batter.

They basically let everyone bat (no outs).  Once we run through the line up we switch teams.  Wonder at what age this all changes?

There were almost as many adults on the field as yound ones.  Here is Chris coaching Nick's base running.

Onto our other little one.  Shane would LOVE to be able to ride this bike!!  Almost, Almost!!

Later that afternoon - Nick got a hold of the camera.  It was interesting viewing life through his eyes.  He took about 100 photos, stairs, Shane, Dad's legs, Mom, bed, himself.  These are two of my favorites.

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Yup, that makes 3!!

Monday was our appointment with Dr. P our OBGYN. We are 16 weeks pregnant and able to find out if its a boy or girl. We didn't seize this opportunity with either Nick or Shane as the surprise was rather thrilling. However with #3 being our last little one, we thought it would be fun to enjoy the surprise at about the 1/2 way marker. Plus, I figured I was either going to have to stock up on little girl stuff or get used to the idea that I will be the only girl in the house (unless of course you count Pauli and Cayman).

As we went into the ultra sound room - (the entire family!) Dr. P was instructed that we were having a girl unless he was able to confirm otherwise...... He happily went to looking at all the sweet little baby parts. The hands, the fingers, measuring everything along the way confirming the October 2 due date. Than he caught our little baby in a cute position laying on its back. You could see two little circles for the knee caps and than in between those circles was.... another little circle.... hmmmm.. at that point Dr. P looked at us and said 'here is the part where I may not be able to confirm this is a little girl' He went onto other measurements =) We got to see the profile of the little one and that erased all doubt - it would be rather impossible to confirm a little girl when you see the profile! Chris and i were actually quite shocked that we never saw those little parts during either Shane's or Nick's ultra sound appointment - guess we were just blissfully ignorant!

So its 3 boys for the Leadbetters! We are happily getting used to the idea and keeping everything blue. He is a healthy little boy and Nick cannot wait for an addition to his soccer team. And I will get everything pink=)

I recently changed Cayman's name, figured I need to start using my girl names....  Meet - Carly!

The best travel buddies

Last weekend we enjoyed some family time with one of our favorite families (the McCulloughs) in one of the most beautiful spots in Germany (Garmisch).  They reserved a suite at Edleweiss Hotel (the american resort) so we could all stay together.  Not many families can stand staying with their own kids in a hotel - much less another families children - I am forever thankful for how we all just make it work (and made it enjoyable!)  The McCulloughs bunked in the loft portion (macy even enjoyed a night peacfully in the bathroom) While The Leadbetters bunked in the downstairs room together. 

Farrah coordinated for a babysitter on Saturday night and Brian reserved time at a wonderful restaraunt for Saturday night.  We even tested out some Indian food on Sunday. 

Here is my caveat - when we travel with the McCulloughs, I often forget to pull out my camera as Brian has a MUCH better camera and a more talented eye.  They are currently vacationing in England visiting his family - so stay posted as i will have more photos coming =)  Here are just a few.

On Saturday, we visited Neuschwanstein castle.  The McCulloughs toured the castle while our boys played on the beautiful grassy field below.

Anyone see the similiarities in these boys?  I love them all!!

Farrah, the munchkins and I opted for the horse drawn carriage ride on the way back down the hill - beautiful horses!

We had a wonderful weekend and thank the McCulloughs for including us as family.  I drifted off a bit during the drive home - and when I woke up I felt a familiar pit in my stomach.  It was the realization that weekends like this are truly numbered.   We are not strangers to moving on in life - but the idea of losing the McCulloughs and 5 other wonderful families is surely starting to take its toll. 

Every moment until than is a treasure!

Here are some more photos from the McCulloughs

Farrah's idea to bring swords up to the castle - kids loved it!!

The view on Sunday from our Indian restaraunt 

Here is the whole crew 

What a great family

Post card shots curtosey of Brian McCullough.  If only there was snow on that castle 

Chris always manages to find a beer =)  Another reason why I love him so much! 

Ture sword fighting 

The view from our hotel 

Farrah spotted this on her way home (rather close to their house)  I love how 'normal this is out here.  Yet another postcard photo - just of a different genre 

Beautiful weekend - thank you again!

School Pictures

I picked up Nick's First session of School photos - remember those days, the awful haircuts, the plastic combs they would pass out to everyone.  I remember hoping that I would smile just right and it always came out all wrong (but my mom continually kept them framed and handed them to relatives.....) 

Here's our first round - Shane, can you smile?  Seriously, will that piece of lay down?  Nick  - perfect!  (yes, Nick and Shane signed up for a special session together - Nick was pumped to have his brother there - who only looked at the camera guy with skeptisism....)

Hysterical pose (but when we came home that evening, Nick was trying to demonstrate the pose - now I get it) 

Really, no smile? 

Nick informed me that the Camera guy asked him not to smile...  I am hoping something was lost in translation - don't you want to just poke his bellie??

And the whole crew 

I picked these photos up today in total German style.  There was a packet, it had my name on it and I paid 35 Euro - DONE -

I didn't get to pick a pose from the 1 million photos taken.  I didn't get to say I want 10 8X10s, 52 wallets etc...  it was here are your photos take it or leave it.  This would surely be a great study on social economics - meaning, does the photo guy make more $$ on less time by just packing and sending or would they profit more by taking a bit more time and offering up a tad more customer service?

Either way - I have learned the Germans are not terribly flexible - I am thankfully becoming more flexible...

Now I am off to Ikea to pick out frames for their walls - some that will hang for the next 15 years!