nice R O B E nice legs

While I thought the sinks were pretty cool, Justin was the first to try on the hotel robe. Judging from his pictures, I think he likes it. It's never dull with four boys. I thought he had the women's one on, then realized both are the same. Nice soft woven cotton- it is quite nice.

This is Paris- must be in style. It is a little short for my tall boy.

It's another grey, rainy day. Nice weather for some down time. Reading, sleeping, gaming, movies and gearing up to venture to downtown in another day or two. I mentioned jumping on the Metro to them last night and they said, "No... not the Metro." Might take another couple days until we're ready to go for it again! We're definitely not in Kansas anymore.

m is for M E T R O

Wow- what a ride. What a long day. We are safe and sound in our hotel here in Paris. I'm pretty sure it's going to take me a couple days to get the courage up to jump back on the local transit system. It is not for the weak!

I don't know what I would have done without my big boys. I think more than anything today, I feel truly grateful for strong, smart sons to take care of their mom. In a huge, scary city with a million people- they stepped up to the plate, held it together and helped me through.

the ICE train- 315 km/hr- super fast 

We left our house yesterday afternoon and headed to the closest train station- no problem. The hour I spent straightening my hair was all for nothing as we hit a huge downpour getting out of the van. Nice start- I was soaked.

With more than a ton of luggage in tow, we made it on the first train. Jim warned me they wait for no one- to get on and off quickly and make sure not to leave anyone behind. How scary would that be?

We successfully got on and off that train, then on the second one for the hour and a half remaining to Paris. After the scuffle to find out seats, I realized she had all five of them spread out, but worse than that we were seated in the quiet car. Why in the world would she put us there? She knew I had small kids. Oh, well- at least we were on.

With two seats together, I sat there with the little guys- one sitting in the aisle. It worked. That was the easy part of the trip. Now to make it to the hotel. After getting specific instructions {since Jim just made this same trip last week} to get on the Metro, make one transfer, then shuttle from the hotel from the airport. The info chick decided to route us another way which would be much better and much faster. I bought tickets and we headed out.

After figuring out which metro to get on, we jumped on not without the doors closing on me. No pictures on the Metro- I was too stressed out. Thankfully, Ty got on first loaded down with two suitcases and a backpack. We had the little guys after Ty but in front of us, and Justin was able to push the door open so I could finish getting on. No joke, it was about a 10-second window for jumping on.

Unnerved, we took the ride and got off at the last stop- Pablo Picasso of all places. We then were told to jump on the bus. Bus 93 to be exact which was no where to be found. I did however find a nice woman {dressed in what looked like traditional modest Muslim clothing covered from head to toe with only her face showing} who helped me with her limited English, my mixed-up German/English and non-existent French. 

After approaching her, Caden asked, "Is she your friend?" Yep- she was now. After spending more than ten or fifteen minutes helping us, I tried to offer her some money which she refused. I then said, "Danke, no thank you..." then Danke again not remembering even how to thank her. {Justin reminded me I said Danke twice...} She graciously said, "You're welcome." Oh, I'm so confused.
She got us to the right bus stop, only to find out we had missed the first one and had a 45-minute wait. No problem- the boys were great. Caden had fun chasing the pigeons. We caught the bus, which felt like heaven after being on the transit. Nice padded seats, Rasta music- time to relax. Our stop was supposed to be a short two-minute walk to the hotel. After being let off, we realized it was more like twenty. I was surprised- no one complained. A proud mom moment for sure.

FINALLY... on the bus, the last leg of our trip... still smiling

Exhausted, we got to the hotel and waiting at the front door- my knight in shining armor.

This hotel is a Health and Wellness Center- I'm hoping to take in a little of the relaxing aura it presents. It's been a long week- I'm ready for some down time, then we'll hit Paris! Just being all together makes it all right again even if Jim has to work all day.

I'm loving the bathroom sinks and the jetted tub. Coleman and Caden can't wait to hit the pool this afternoon. Justin and Ty are in the weight room now.

We've let the boys know they can all take as long as they would like in the shower or bath as many times a day as they'd like. They better do it before we get back to Germany.

alles K L A R

I always think company is a great excuse to have the whole house clean. It forces me to get those little things done {dusting for one} that I always seem to put off. Plus, everything is clean at the same time which I love for the entire six minutes that it lasts.

Last night, I was vacuuming at 1:30 {in the morning}. Crazy, I know- I wasn't happy about it at all. After a crazy busy week, no husband, planning for vacation, school letting out, moving my friend, starting to pack, four boys and a dog-  Rosa {our soon to be landlord of the past} rings the doorbell at 5:30pm.

It was bad enough Coleman opened the door as I'm screaming, "Don't open the door," only to let Lady out. She's not the dog who bolts out the door- she just barks and barks when it's someone she doesn't know or like. You would think she knows Rosa by now- seven months of seeing her practically every day and she still has to bark like an attack dog. Either she's dumb as a doornail or maybe she knows something about the Russians that we just suspect. Maybe a little of both.

So, the knock on the door was to let me know she had a showing set up for our house at 11:00 this morning. Seriously- it's Friday night? After telling me anything, she always likes to add the phrase, "Alles Klar?" All is clear? What if I didn't understand German- I always wonder this as they've made no attempt to learn a single word in English. Renting to Americans you would think they would make a little effort.

Oh well, I got it- let her know I understood. Then, the panic attack kicked in with every room a complete disaster, four dirty toilets, laundry waiting to be put away and suitcases along with everything else spread randomly throughout the house. It's one of my life-long goals to keep my house clean enough that at any given moment anyone could drop in and I wouldn't have to scurry to pick up things. I'd just love to be that on top of things all the time!

We survived and have a clean house top to bottom {minus the oven and showers- I hate those jobs}. I'm grateful now, because I would have been cleaning tonight- all night or perhaps even tomorrow. Maybe, I should thank Rosa. Or, not. I did let the prospective renters know if they'd like to come back later and talk or ask me any other questions, I'd be happy help them. Ornery? Maybe a little bit.

Instead, tonight I get to think about vacation in Paris in less than 24 hours and getting to see my husband after a long week apart. I miss him terribly and can't wait to see him. No cooking or cleaning for ten days- I'm a little excited about that, too.

Undivided attention and time with my boys to connect and make some amazing memories. Ahh... let summer break begin! I should have some pictures to come this week...

Look what I just bought with some saved birthday money. I can't wait to use it- it's a tripod that supposedly hooks to anything- a pole, uneven surface and just about anywhere else. I do plan on taking some pictures this week, maybe I'll even get in a few of them!

N O T I C E has been given

I gave notice. What a feeling of relief and peace to have that hard task behind me. I assumed they'd be mad, then a friend asked me, "You really think they'll be mad? How can they be mad?" Well, it's not hard to rent a place here since there is a huge shortage of houses. It's a newer, fairly nice house- we just don't like it. Maybe they wouldn't be mad afterall. But, I think they're mad.

Sunday evening, I finally caught them both in the backyard so I headed out to get the signature on my termination notice. Rosa saw me coming and smiled, then when I handed her the paper she said, "Nein, Nein, Nein...Oh, Schade, Schade..." I initially thought Schade meant shame. I looked it up- the translation is pity. I explained myself as best I could. Mostly, I was happy to check this task off my never-ending to-do list.  Johannes gave me a look that could burn a hole through me then said, "No problem." She put her hand on my shoulder as I left and with her head hung low said "oh, Sheila- schade" a few more times. Maybe they thought they were good to us.

I can't figure out if they're really sad to see us leave. We really are good tenants in spite of having a dog and four kids. Or, are they just upset they have to go through the work of starting over with someone new? I'll likely never know.

Tonight, Johannes is mowing. Up until now he's always mowed our area and the other two in addition to his yard. I just noticed he mowed the other two, but not ours. Is it because Jim weed wacked a week ago and it's not that long? Or, is there another reason? Again, I'll never know.

E is for Eiffel T O W E R

This is one of the books we've been reading for bedtime this week. One of the several books I found at the library for a quick education on France- another country I know next to nothing about.

Very informative, beautiful pictures- I want to own every one in the set, then go visit every city, every monument and every park listed.  Each page has beautiful art, a short poem and additional text including background on the place, person or idea highlighted. Love it.

I'm thinking the Italy one might be next on my list.

Other books listed include:

A is for America

M is for Maple {Canada}

B is for Bagpipes {Scotland}

C is for Ciao {Italy}

P is for Pinata {Mexico}

S is for Shamrock {Ireland}

D is for Down Under {Australia}

D is for Dancing Dragon {China}

I'm also reading this book which is equally as informative with so many ideas. With 68 different cool things to do in Paris, I could probably use this book alone and still never have time to see and do everything available.

For each landmark it gives a brief description, then also the address, phone number, Web site, hours and even the pricing.

I think it's crazy for so many places how they have the pricing. For example, to go to the Catacombes {highly recommended and on my list}, it is 3.50 Euro for ages 14-26, 7 Euro for adults 27 and up. I've never seen this before. Age 27 must be that magical number you're finally an adult.

Too bad they don't charge kids prices for meals up until age 26. Now that would save us some money.

Even better- I was reading about a place called Aquaboulevard. A year-round indoor-outdoor water park it sounds pretty cool.

As a side bar, I read:

"Note that baggy shorts-type bathing suits for men and boys are not allowed; brief-style swimwear is required."

I'm pretty sure my big boys would rather die than wear brief-style swimshorts to a public pool. Jim too for that matter. We are in Europe- do as the Europeans, right? Think I should surprise them... a day at the pool and new shorts? Oh, this could be fun.

we're M O V I N G

Last week, I felt strongly that I needed to do something with our kitchen. It's no secret this kitchen has frustrated me from day one. After the initial move in, I always hit a wall. I wish I could slowly be able to place things where they want to go and end up with a perfectly-organized home. I kind of start that way, then end up shoving stuff towards the end because I'm just tired of looking at it.

Well, last week I decided to go back through our kitchen and laundry room and organize. I ripped everything out and started over ending up quite content with what I had accomplished. I finally decided I wouldn't hate this kitchen any longer.

I also said last week for now we'll stay put. Well, we're moving.

I know it sounds crazy. Two huge moves in less than seven months. This one we get to do on our own making it even harder. That being said, I can't even describe the peace we already feel with our decision to leave Oberstaufenbach.

Just over a week ago, my friend was offered a house on base. Of course, they offer it to her the day she left to the states for the summer. With her husband deployed for a year, I let her know I'd help in any way I could. The thought even crossed my mind to let another friend look at her house as she's been wanting to downsize and move. While we really love the house, we didn't think too much about taking it over. Primarily, I knew they didn't want a dog there. Mostly, I didn't want the headache.

While giving the notice to her landlord last week, I had an immediate change of heart and knew this could possibly change our entire experience in Germany.

I've wanted to like our landlords now- I really have, but I don't. I don't think they're nice people and especially in the beginning they didn't treat us very well. Our deposit alone on this house was 3000 Euro- that's over $4300. More than anything, we are afraid the longer we are here, the more likely they'll find reasons to keep it. The trust is not there knowing they will argue for every cent {and she has}. The mold is a huge issue. The distance we travel to base {15-20 min each way} has worn on us especially with the price of gas making two or three trips some days.

I was completely taken back by the kindness shown in the first five minutes talking to the new landlords. She and her husband spoke to me at the door, then welcomed us {Caden and I} in to their home to sit down and talk. They even speak English. With no hesitation, they said it would be just fine for us to move in even having a dog. I left feeling excited and overwhelmed at the same time.

The house is five minutes from base- the location is prime. The village is beautiful- bakeries, a little store or two, even a restauraunt. The trails are amazing. The church bells ring all the time. It's a real village.  The house is beautiful with a real sink. A real sink. With a full basement for storage, it feels much larger than our house now with a much better layout. Our new neighbor is the Frau across the road.

Upon leaving, I called Jim and said it was a no-brainer, we're moving. I tried to explain to Jim how nice they were. I think in my obsessed state of mind, I said it at least ten times. Friday night, we stopped back by their home to go over a new contract. Again, they welcomed us in to sit at their table and visit. After more than an hour, we left elated. Jim understood what I was saying and felt the exact same way.

I walked away with my heart so full that someone would be so kind to us. I felt like crying and I have. They're different tears this time.

I'm not sure I believe it's always necessary to taste the bitter in order to appreciate the sweet. I don't know if I would have thought they were so nice if we hadn't experienced what we did initially. I do know my gratitude is deep and my appreciation abundant. I feel as though we have been given a fresh start. I'm even excited to hang pictures.

off to P A R I S

He's off again... this time it's back to Paris for the Air Show. It will be three very busy weeks for him as he's anticipating long, long days.

This week, I finally broke down and bought train tickets so we could meet up and experience Paris as well. The boys and I are heading out next Sunday for a long overdue vacation.

For us {the boys and I}, I think Paris will be a little more exciting. While I feel extremely guilty for planning a trip now given our two-house-payment financial situation, it was an opportunity we just couldn't pass up. Paris is not cheap.

With a hotel suite paid for {including breakfast}, that's a huge expense we don't have to account for.  The hotel also has a nice weight room and swimming pool we plan to use daily.

I've started my research and told my German neighbor I had checked out ten books from the library to read up on this new huge city with so much to see and do.
She looked at me a little funny and said, "Ten books?" I laughed back and to throw her off a little I said, "Oh, maybe twenty." I'm sure she already thinks I'm crazy.

I told her I'm a little nervous and she said, "It's ok. Everyone speaks English." Good to know.

I plan to walk the legs off off of the boys while making it the trip of a lifetime. Jim and I might have to go back alone to catch the romantic side of Paris. It's only a two-hour trip on the fast train- pretty amazing.

With more than enough to do this week, I have my hands full this week. Memories to come.

wet C E M E N T

I've mentioned the Armed Forces Network {AFN} before. With a dish on our roof and box on our tv, it allows us to tap in to American television- probably seven or eight basic {very basic} channels. We mostly only have the tv on for UFC fight nights, Super Saturday cartoons {C & C}. Surprisingly, I haven't even missed tv as sucked in as I used to be to my favorite reality shows.

One of the side benefits of watching AFN is you get the commercials alongside the limited programming. We're not talking about McDonalds or Olive Garden or even Applebees. These charming spots are all about the military, made by the military.
Naturally. Super corny and low/no budget, they're mostly horrible- there's no other way to describe them. On the flip side, they are probably better than seeing Red Lobster or anything food related knowing those restaurants don't exist on this continent.

Last week, we saw this commercial showing a boy walking through an old man's cement. It's all about patience and I love it. A real commercial, I was shocked.

This morning, I did something I've never done IN MY LIFE and never thought I would do FOR AS LONG AS I AM ALIVE. Never say never, right? While stopping by a house on base following a woman I've never met, I actually stepped in wet cement. All on my own, I didn't even have a kid around me to blame.

What in the world was I thinking? I'm usually a little more head's up than that.

The workers had obviously just poured new concrete in the inside of an entryway to a stairwell apartment building. Maybe it was the inside that threw me off?! Concrete is supposed to be for sidewalks, right? They had a thin plank laid across the top to obviously walk on.

I started walking across, then felt it give, panicked and stuck my foot straight in the newly-poured, super wet concrete. No footprint here, it hadn't even set up enough yet. Yep, flip flop and all up past my ankle bone dripping in concrete. I stood there for a minute trying to figure out what to do.

The woman told me there was a hose outside. I'm sure she thought I was an idiot, but at least she helped me out. I hobbled out, sprayed off and tried to hurry as fast as I could to get out of there before these German workers returned from their lunch. I'm really trying to win their favor rather than ignite their tempers. Pretty sure I didn't succeed today. Caden sat in the van watching me the whole time. I'm sure he thought I was crazy- what a role reversal.

This commercial is just a little more meaningful now.

a little C U L T U R E

Crazy, busy week here. Things are movin' and shakin'. We should have some exciting news by next week. No, we're not moving on base but... we might be moving to a different house. Crossing our fingers and trying not to think of how much WORK might be directly in front of us. Feeling a little stressed and overwhelmed, I decided to write a little here since I have so much time on my hands.

Until our big enormous move this year, I never imagined living anywhere but the United States. Ever. While we enjoy traveling, I never had that internal drive to experience life in another country and culture. Now that we are here, I'm seeing the benefits and opportunities that the boys are especially gaining by living in Europe. Education in another culture- even attending American schools.

I just filled out the application to get Coleman into the German Partial Immersion Enrichment Program. It's a slim chance that he'll get in, but I'd be thrilled. Right now {first grade}, they pull them out weekly for Spanish and for German.

In the short time that we have been here, I'm amazed at how much vocabulary he has already learned and retained.
If he gets in the Immersion Program, he will learn Math, Science, Health and Social Studies all in German- 50% of the day. I can't image how much he'll be able to absorb with that much exposure. I get excited just thinking about it.

I'm also so impressed with how much of the German culture he is learning in his classroom. Last month, he went on a Volksmarch. Caden and I were able to join him. In Germany, it's one day each year that they have a walk- typically ten kilometers. For the elementary school, it was two miles. They got a pretzel at the end. Kind of cool.

Last week, he had his first field trip and was able to take the train to the Karlsruhe Zoo. The zoo is about 100 miles from our house, but being able to jump on the train, they were able to make it happen. They also got to go on a gondola ride at the zoo.
Not your typical zoo end-of-the-year field trip. Not a typical childhood for that matter.

Frau Mackenbach

We met a German woman this weekend- a woman I will never forget as long as I live.

She made a huge impression on me and likely has no idea. I keep thinking that I wish I had met her six months ago, as we first moved to Germany- my welcome to Germany might have been a little different, perhaps more positive. I'm grateful I met her now as I still have time here to not only get to know her better, but to learn more from her.

I have a friend who just left last week to spend the summer with her parents in the states. We ran over to her house to check on a few last-minute things. I had a handful of her plants {to water over the summer} and while sitting in our car waiting for Jim I noticed this German woman standing on her porch across the street. She just stood there- staring intently in my direction.

It was the normal German stare. It's very obvious they're looking at you- they don't hide it in any way. Quite blatent. Already, I think I've seen it a hundred times. The normal thoughts go through my head thinking we're being too loud, our car is too dirty, we have too many kids... and a few other things I assume as I see her fixated in our direction.

I realize it might look strange with us hauling things away from my friend's house, so I decided to go talk to her for a minute. Or, at least explain what was going on as best I could.

I started with the usual, "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" Always a good opening line letting her know I do know a little German, but if she'd speak English I'd be oh, so happy. She let me know she knew a little. Yeah- we're off to a good start. Opting to speak in my limited German, I let her know my friend was on vacation, so I was taking care of her plants for the summer. I was a little timid having just been mildly scolded by the German {strawberry stand} lady this weekend after not putting the strawberries in the bag correctly.

Much to my surprise, she was the most kind German woman I've met yet. I ended up talking to her for quite a while when Jim returned to the car and decided to check out what was going on. It's not unusual for me to talk to strangers, but Germans are a little different. They're usually a little short and to the point. To actually see me smiling and talking with this woman caught his interest and he came over to join in the conversation which lastest even longer.

Honestly, I was shocked myself to still be talking to her.

Our conversation was cut short as she was heading out somewhere, and her ride was {impatiently} waiting with frequent honks of his car horn. I told her we would come back and see her this week to finish talking. Sunday, we returned to Mackenbach and knocked on our new friends' door as promised. She has a part of her house that she could rent out but it needs a lot of work. We told her we would like to look at it knowing Jim could possibly help her fix it up. She said she needed a painter. When he said he paints she was practically blown away. Her eyes got huge and she responded, "You can paint?"

In walking through her house, we realized it is much too small and needs a ton of work. Her location is super close to the base, but for now we'll stay put. Even after establishing the fact that we couldn't move there, we had a hard time breaking away and leaving our new friend.

Seeing the tears in her eyes as she spoke, we quickly learned she is a very lonley lady. She told us she had surgery {thyroid, I think} which has been difficult leaving her in poor health. She also has troubles with her eye and the doctor wants to do surgery, but she can't bring herself to do it. This makes it very hard for her to see.

Often, she stands on her porch and can see colors {a blue shirt}, but doesn't see details- even if someone waves. I felt ashamed in assuming she was just another German woman staring and judging me.

She also told of when she was younger and used to run around helping everyone else. Her mother often called her asking her to come over to visit. She was always too busy- too much to do. Now, her mother is dead. Now, she realizes she's in that same position- old, sick and lonely needing help and being on her own. This more than anything else she said made a huge impression on me. Life is short.

Why is it so easy to get caught up in things that don't really matter while forgetting the huge {IMPORTANT} things that do matter? Why is it so easy to judge before even knowing someone? I'm so guilty of this. I think I needed a reality check and I got it.

For now, we've decided she's our new project. Compassion for others has always been on the top of things I most want my boys to learn. Whether dropping things off for her, helping with small projects she has or just taking the time to visit we will not be forgetting her.

S T R A W B E R R I E S

Look what we found this weekend! Juicy, red, sweet, ripe, delicious strawberries at a little patch right off the road. As we showed up, we saw a couple leave with a huge beautiful glass bowl filled to the rim.

I was a little concerned that we were supposed to bring our own basket or bag, so I ran to the car and found a plastic bag in the trunk. The {older} non-English speaking German woman gave us cardboard containers to collect them in, but I still thought she would want them back as soon as we paid and checked out.

She weighed them, Jim paid {surprisingly cheap}, and I went to dump them {gently} into my plastic bag.

She quickly stopped me with a slightly-raised voice letting me know I was obviously doing it wrong. I'm not quite sure what words she was using... but, I know I frustrated her. I quickly put the berries back in the containers, and she helped me put both in the bag. Guess she didn't need her cardboard back after all. Over here, you never know- they save and use everything, or charge you for it.

Perfectly manicured rows without a weed in sight- I wouldn't expect anything less over here. Delicious straight out of the ground, we ate half of them on the way home. Yummy!

slow M O V I N G

Oh, happy Friday! I'm super excited for the weekend to relax as a family!
I thought I'd check out the wait list {and our current position} for base housing today. They have an Excel document that they update twice a month that's pretty easy to access. I haven't pulled it up for a while. I've tried to put it out of my mind in an attempt to avoid obsession with moving on base and instead focused on being content with where we are living now.  Trying.

Well, we moved up alright. All the way up to number eighty-eight {88}. February 1st, we were number ninety-five {95}. That's a whole seven slots {in four months} closer to living on base. Wow- at this rate, is that another 44 months?

Instead of holding out and drooling at the possibility of ever landing in that number one spot, I think I'll just plan on spending the duration of our time here on Hauptstrasse. Then, if it happens- I'll be surprised. Does that ever work?

baby A R T I C H O K E S

Artichokes. We love these things! Well, Jim likes them ok. The boys and I LOVE them. Caden can demolish one in no time flat. Last week on our grocery shop date to France, we found baby artichokes. Anything baby is hard for me to resist- they're just so tiny and sweet. I really probably would have had a bunch more of my own if only I didn't have to go through pregnancies. 

I get a little crazy; the boys just roll their eyes and humor me. Looking back now, Jim's probably more grateful for the morning sickness than anything- ten kids was never an option for him! Luckily, he didn't even have to talk me out of more, I was done.

Looking for inspiration on how to cook these little guys, I realized {again} there is a Web site for just about anything and everything you can imagine- including artichokes. 
I also learned that right now is the season for these pokey gems. I think I could serve them every other day and we wouldn't ever get tired of them. They're as much fun to unwrap as they are delicious to eat. Yum!
For ours, I boiled them {our ususal prepration method}, sliced them in half, then Jim threw them on the grill with a little olive oil and course salt.

Served with our salmon and zucchini that he grilled to perfection, it was delicious.

Delicious and healthy.

Who says you need a big backyard with peace and quiet in order to grill? Works just fine to pull the grill out of our one-car garage onto our driveway and grill while watching the cars race through our village.  Again, reminder to us... it's all temporary.

sie F A H R E N sign

Happy J U N E!

I'm pretty excited. Look what just went up across the street from our house.

Sie fahren translates to:
You're driving...
I'd add... {TOO FAST}!

We are on the main street going through our village and cars
S  P  E  E  D
through. During rush hours, I won't even let Coleman and Caden ride their bikes out there as crazy and fast as the cars are moving.

Already, they're slowing down and it has yet to be activated.

I think I'm going to ask them to leave it there permanently. First, I'll have to look up that word.