Greetings from Germany!

WOOHOO! We made it!  And such an adventure it has been so far.

Our flight left relatively on time (and by relatively, I mean an hour later than scheduled).  But our pilot said that they gave us the wrong estimated arrival time anyway, and we would get in about 15 minutes later than the original time.  Not sure how all that works, but hey...we got here in good time.

This flight was the longest I had been on...and let me tell you, it was LONG.  Techincally only a little over 8 hours...I've roadtripped longer than that.  But the circumstances around the flight were different than a road trip.  For one, the seat wasn't particularly comfortable.  Normally I have leg problems on planes, where my circulation gets cut off and my legs are SO uncomfortable.  So I got some compression stockings and a foot-rest, and so my legs were GOLDEN.  It was my rear that was so uncomfortable.  Maybe it's the extra belly weight.  Maybe it was that my legs felt so great, something else HAD to hurt.  But it made sitting a little difficult.  Which makes an 8 hour flight a little difficult.  But I did manage to sleep for a few hours.  And got up to walk up and down the plane every hour or two, which helped.

We arrived and made it through customs really quickly.  At this point we were both pretty exhausted.  It was 4 am our time...but 11:30 am in Germany...so we had to stay up til bedtime.

You know those experiences with logistics where it can just go really wrong and frustrating and totally start a trip out on the wrong foot?  we had the opposite experience...with our rental car place. At first we were nervous, because they didn't have the car we had put as a preference when we made the reservation.  But good old George made things happen for us.  He found us a much nicer car, with a minimum upgrade fee..but it was diesel (way cheaper to fill) and automatic (I can't drive stick)...and it was a 2015 Mercedes...so thats always nice =)  George gave us all kind of advice, but did it from a genuinely helpful way, not a guy trying to make a sell or condescending with our lack of knowledge.  Then he told Ben that he was lucky to have such a lovely lady as me... so he basically was great =)

Then we made the drive to Tasha and Bjorn's house about 1.5 hours from the Frankfurt Airport.  We ate a late lunch, hung out and enjoyed time with them.  We took a tour of their new house they are working on and sat around and chatted until we went to bed around 9.  I was amazed we made it that long.  I actually got my third or fourth wind sometime in the afternoon when I took a shower.

We slept a good 10-ish hours and woke up ready for the day.  We aren't completely recovered, but well on our way.  Today we are just hanging out.  Went to Bjorn's parents' house and visited with his mom for a while.  It is a gorgeous day and we are enjoying the down time before we leave on our adventure in France tomorrow!

Here are a few pictures so far:

This isn't actually Europe, but it was the day we left, so it kind of counts.  My cousins came through MN...and it was so good to see them!  I miss them. 

AHH! it's happening!  Anyone else find it weird to see "Mrs" by their name? I mean I know I've been a Mrs for 2 years, but it makes me feel old...

I figured, might as well share my view for 8 hours of my day...

This selfie was taken before we took off.  Look how excited and fresh we look!

This was when we were getting ready to land.  "Wilted" is the word that comes to mind.  

Our suave Mercedes

Such a pleasant drive!  

It was a gorgeous day and really beautiful countryside! 

So good to spend time with this sweet friend!  I love how we can pick up where we left off! 

In their garden at their new house, they had these mini strawberries which were SO delicious.  They tasted like strawberry candy.  So "artificial strawberry flavor" actually exists 

This is Tasha and Bjorn's beautiful baby, Alana.  She is a sweetie, and always full of cheesy grins! 

Well that is the update for now! Hopefully I'll check in from France next!!  

Au Revoir!

New Attitude

I know I said the next time I posted, we would be in Europe.  and yet here I am.

Today started out okay. In fact, it started out great! I didn't have to be to work until 11:30, which means I got to sleep in, make a delicious smoothie, check things off our list of pre-trip preparations and have a good conversation with the neighbor.  And then I got in the car to drive to work, totally unaware of what was lying underneath the surface.

I put my music on shuffle (which I rarely do-It means skipping all the songs I don't want to hear for the one random one that sounds good).  No song was really jiving with me...and then I got to a classic.  As the familiar notes started, I got that layer of warmth that sort of settles over you when you  encounter something nostalgic.

Immediately I was taken back to many moments in my childhood that were marked and shaped by this song.  This song reminded me of countless conversations about morality, life choices, and opened  my eyes to the sadness and brokenness of this world, outside my little bubble.  This song is associated with my knowledge of many terms that would not have otherwise popped up in my relatively sheltered life.  And in some way, this song is an Ebenezer of sorts, a monument for that time when my heart really was tugged to help people who were hurting.

"Somehow the wires uncrossed, the tables were turned, never knew I had such a lesson to learn. I'm feeling good from my head to my shoes. Know where I'm going and I know what to do. I've tidied up my point of view, I've got a new attitude."

And right then and there I started tearing up.

I'm not sure if it was the nostalgia.  It could have been.  In that moment I really, really just wanted to go back. To be in the car with my mom, hashing through life issues.  I miss those moments.  It also could have been the realization that there are things I don't have a good attitude about and I really do need to tidy up my point of view.  It might have been because I am grateful for all the ways my attitude has been tweaked and changed over the years and I have had that moment of feeling good from my head to my shoes. 

Whatever it was, it was connected to some strong emotions.  And no matter when I listen to that song, it always seems to hit me at the right moment. 

For those of you in the dark about what I'm talking about...the song I'm referring to is "New Attitude" by Patti LaBelle. It is the theme song from a talk show hosted by one Dr. Laura Schlessinger.  That woman was firey, opinionated, both conservative and edgy, didn't pull punches...and full of some really amazing insight.  People would call her show with "moral dilemmas" ranging from family relationships, kid problems, marriage issues, work situations...you name it, it was talked about.  She wrote books titled "Bad Childhood, Good Life" and "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands."  (Actually I read that latter title when I was about 17...and learned a LOT about how to have a healthy relationship with my future husband.  And the former title has been something I refer to whenever I talk to someone who had a really bad and messed up childhood and is either not letting it weigh them down or is using it as an excuse to stay stuck.)

She was Jewish, but didn't have a religious agenda.  Interestingly, her advice and insight mostly lined up with what I believe and moral standards I believe God put in place.   

I'll admit I even used to pretend I was her and would have pretend callers who would ask me advice and I would use my oh-so-expansive bank of life experience and "answer" their questions.  

So I owe a thank you to Dr. Laura for being bold and telling people like it is.  I have used much of what she said to help when I have friends ask me advice.  

I owe a thank you to my mom for being willing to have the hard (and sometimes uncomfortable) talks with me about life and choices and morality.  She never missed a learning opportunity, and allowed me to explore what I thought about various topics, adding her wisdom and what the Bible says.  Her openness about certain "taboo" concepts was also helpful. I learned things like what "shacking up" meant, and why it isn't good.  She always answered my questions, no matter how uncomfortable it might have been.  

I also owe a shout-out to any of my friends who may have been in our car from 12-2 on any given day...because you probably got a dose of Dr. Laura, Jody-style too ;)  

Funny thing is, I called and told my mom about it, and she said, "Really? That song 'shaped your childhood'?"  I explained what I wrote here and it made sense to her.  At the time, it was just what we did... But she remembers those moments too...and she deserves to know how much they impacted me and how grateful I am! 

Anyway, those are just some thoughts I had and wanted to share.  I do recommend her books...as they do have some really great insights.  And look up the song too, it's a fun one...and the music video is pretty entertaining too =) 

Au Revoir! 

Next Chapter

And just like that, a significant season ends, and another new one begins.  I am officially done working for the elementary school...and actually I am done working full time, period. At least for the time being.  This summer I am nannying for the family I worked with last year.  But after that...I am officially a stay-at-home mom.

Oh wow, that sounds so weird to say/type.  Makes me feel like I'm officially grown up.  (as if paying taxes, phone bills, car insurance, getting married, 401Ks and moving across the country wasn't "grown up" enough).

This transition has brought a few emotions, as you might imagine.

Sadness:  It is always hard for me to face changes in my life...although I must admit it does get easier and easier as time passes and more changes come my way.  And the sadness of being done at work is focused again around relationships.  I was finally building some good ones and will miss seeing some of those faces daily.  Not to mention, I did have some great kiddos I worked with and some of them I will probably never see again.  But I have plans to get together with coworkers, and will keep trusting those kids into the capable hands of our Father.

Gratefulness:  I am so so thankful for the job I have had.  I loved it.  It fit me well, and I actually felt like I was impacting little lives, even if in some seemingly insignificant ways.  I am grateful I get to stay home with Bambino this fall.  I know not everyone gets that opportunity, and some are fine without it, but it is something I have always wanted to do.  That being said...

Trepidation:  I really have no idea what this fall will hold for us in so many different ways.  Obviously there will be some financial adjustments, as we are cutting out one whole income.  Sometimes that makes me nervous, just because it is new and unknown...and life gets expensive.  Winter is also not the season where I thrive, and the thought of newborn, staying home all day, and all those new and delightful hormone adjustments I hear about...well it kind of sounds overwhelming at times.  Thankfully I have a good support network, and a super encouraging husband and the grace of a totally understanding God on my side.  So my trepidation is followed by....

Contentment:  I really am happy and content in this stage of life.  Sure there are days I wish Bambino would just be here.  I wish I were living closer to my family.  I wish we owned our own home where we will put down roots.  But those don't always linger.  And even though they will always be in the back of my brain as things to look forward to, I am content in this season.  Pregnancy is going well...I am healthy and so is Bambino.  The summer is starting out well...and it IS the season where I thrive...so I am looking forward to that.

So all in all, life is good.  God is good.  New chapters are good.

On to the pictures =)

Ben brought home some beautiful flowers that were trials at his work (which means we don't have to pay for them) and he planted them all and set them up around the outside of the house.  Although I'm not a green-thumb, I sure do appreciate flowers around!

He also built these beautiful garden boxes!  They are made out of cedar (which prevents them from rotting) and he just sort of made them using his logical, creative mind!  

This is when they were first planted, so they look a bit sparse.  

It includes: peppers, peas, tomatoes, beans, cilantro, basil, cucumbers, ground cherries, beets and thyme!  

Progressed Belly Bump pic!  

I think I was 22 weeks (4.5 months)...just past the halfway mark! 

please excuse the wet, awkward looking hair...I choose the worst moments for pictures!  

This is Sierra. At the vet.  Looking cool as a cucumber.  Do not be fooled.  She hated it. Normally she never has a problem.  But for some reason she was so nervous.  Taking her temperature (done with a thermometer up the rear) about did her in.  The vet said that being by me was probably contributing to the anxiety so she suggested they take her to another room.  

A few minutes later I hear a lot of thumps, people struggling and a few growls.  

10-15 minutes pass and the vet comes back in and said that she is sorry but they had to use a muzzle and a "helping hand" because she growled when they tried to take her temperature.  Basically they held her down and made it happen.  Which I am totally fine with, whatever you gotta do.  But it made me chuckle a little.  She was all nervous telling me about it, I could tell she thought I might be mad.   But hey, the dog isn't to blame.  If someone tried to stick something up my butt that I was unfamiliar with, I would probably growl too.  Just saying.  

She got over it pretty quick too.  

I love these pictures.  This is a Kindergarten class I worked with at the end of the year at Field Day.  Look how cute they are lined up to do the three-legged race!!

...and this is what happens when they actually do the three-legged race!  

We have been having a lot of rain here (at least it is a lot in my book...I am from a desert after all).  But with the rain comes these beauties.  

Oh, and fyi, I am praying for rain in California...every time we get a downpour here, I pray you all get it there! 

Another baby bump picture!  And yes, the wide stance is pretty normal these days...and won't be going away any time soon, I imagine.  And yes, our bathroom tiles are really a strange color, but they ARE clean, I promise.  

We celebrated the first birthday of one sweet little girl last weekend!  This is Ben being the awesome kid-loving partier I know him to be.  Such a goon, but I love him. 

Here is Noelle digging into her cake.  She pretty much just wanted to eat the frosting.  

And then have a thumb suck afterwards.  

Ben introducing 4-square to the next generation.  

The kids I nanny for are members at the YMCA, and they have a beautiful pool.  We spend warm afternoons here...and it is quite peaceful and lovely! 

Meg and Maria came into town for a wedding that they were in.  We got to celebrate Maria's 6th birthday while they were here! 

Our quickly growing bounty!   That was last week, and already it is almost completely filled in with green today! 

it has been a little warm and humid the past few weeks and we don't have air conditioning.  The dog got smart and decided to forego her bed (the black spot in the left of the picture by the white curtain) and mainly sleeps on the hard wood floor. 

I got home from work and she went right over to corner to put herself in time-out.  She had gotten into a cupboard, only pulled out the baking soda, carried it carefully to the living room and set it down.  Didn't chew it, didn't spill it...At least she knows being in the cupboards is naughty!  

First Caprese with our basil.  Our tomatoes weren't quite ripe enough, so I had to buy those.  Still...nothing like fresh-picked basil. 

For Father's Day yesterday, we went to Harriet Island band shell to listen to the Minneapolis Philharmonic Orchestra and have a picnic.  This is one thing I love about Minnesota.  They sure know how to make summer splendid.  They do outdoor events really really well.  It was a lot of fun. 

Well that is it for now.  Next time you hear from me, I will be in...Europe!!  

I have decided to commit to writing a little something and posting a few pictures every few days, or as I get good wifi access.  This is not only for your benefit, but I was encouraged that it will help me remember pieces of the journey later on as well! 

So keep checking in!  

Au Revoir!  (Oooh, now I can actually use that piece of French for reals!)