a little R A C Q U E T B A L L ?

Jim has been studying like crazy.
He tests for his job next week.
We are also at the end of two very difficult classes.

Throw a little work in there and it hasn't been too much fun around our house.

We can't wait until it is over.

We're ready to play.
We're ready to travel.

We're really ready for Justin to come home so we can hit some Christmas markets.

Last weekend, we took Coleman and Caden to the gym for a little racquetball. They loved it and woke up begging to play every morning of their long weekend. Three days in a row and they still didn't get enough.

So much fun. We even wore the goggles. Aren't we cute? It's all about the memories.

our T H A N K S G I V I N G weekend

I had a little bit of a technical glitch hence my delay in posting.

While adding the below post this last weekend, I was told I had exceeded my photo limit. Imagine that. It's taken me a couple days to figure out what to do. Actually, I've been a little lost.

I almost bought more storage, then realized that they allow an unlimited number of photos as long as they are below a certain size. Whew. I can do that. Guess I better start paying attention to how big my photos are. For now, I will continue blogging.

Hopefully, they don't have a word limit. It wouldn't surprise me if I hit that maximum allowance next if they do. Yikes- that could cost big bucks.

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend {late}!

As much as we were missing Justin, it was a very nice Thanksgiving here in Germany.

As hard as it was for this first holiday without him, it was comforting to know he was with friends being well taken care for and fed a wonderful meal.

Ywo years ago, we were sneaking on base with our small car to eat Thanksgiving in the chow hall. As hard as we tried to keep our heads up, it was tough. Definitely not the Thanksgiving to remember.

This year, we shared the day and meal with our good friends Randy, Michelle and their son {a junior in high school} Ryan.

It was a calm, quiet day- exactly what we planned and needed.

Check out Michelle's beautiful Polish Pottery. I'm thinking we need to make a quick shopping trip to Poland. I'm loving it.

T W O years in GERMANY

Today marks the day we arrived in Germany- two years ago. If all goes as planned with our four-year assignment, we are at our half-way mark.

So much has changed but mostly our love for this country.

We knew we were in for an adventure, we just weren't sure what that would entail. We heard about people who would extend over here and others who didn't want to go back to the United States.

While we will be ready when our time comes to get back, I actually finally understand what they are feeling. Someone emailed me before we moved and said, "What's not to love about Germany."
Those words rang through my mind especially during the first six months we were here. I thought she was crazy. I can now honestly agree with her. Germany is wonderful.

This is a beautiful country.
The German people are wonderful.
We love the German food.

Here's what remains on the top tier of our list while living in Europe:
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dublin, Ireland
Rome, Italy
Prague
Amsterdam, Holland
Berlin, Germany
Switzerland
Normandy, France
Greece

We have a lot more to learn and so many places to go. Our goal is to check as much as we can off our list- we'll see how we do!

Come visit us- we would love to take you around!

C O C H E M castle

I love castles. My boys might not be as enthusiastic as their mama when it comes to castles, but I think I might have to get them to a few more.

Anyone and everyone who comes to visit, I have no problem taking you to a few of our favorites!

With our last couple days with Neal and Cheryl, we made a day trip to Cochem Castle and another to Trier.

Unfortunately, Jim was back at work, so we waited until the kids left for school and headed out on our day trip.

While we have been to Trier, I had not been to Cochem. It did not disappoint- we loved it.

The drive was supposed to be an hour or so. With the crazy GPS leading us, it ended up being closer to two hours.

A downpour on the way home made it that much more exciting.
Cochem is an astounding little city on the Moselle River.

The 1,000-year old castle is amazing. The view and city were even more impressive to me. In the heart of wine country, the vines were full and grapes were beautiful.

Walking around, it all felt postcard-perfect for pictures. The thought continually ran through my head of how absolutely beautiful it was in this region.  

We took the castle tour with a cute lady armed with a great sense of humor. It was one of the best tours I've taken in the few castles we have been to. Delightful!

On our walk back down to the car, we ducked out of the rain in a little cafe for a bowl of German goulasch soup.

I'm not a soup lover, but it was absolutely delicious. Don't forget the bread. Yum.

I'm ready to go back!

H I T S C H E R H O F farm festival

Germans love their fests.
We love German fests.

It seems if there is  an excuse to have a fest or celebration- they're on it! They know how to work hard, but they also know how to celebrate.

There are onion fests, chocolate fests, chestnut fests, chicken fests and any other variety you can imagine.

Finishing up our time with Uncle Neal and Aunt Cheryl here in September, we found a great farmer's pumpkin festival and decided to give it a try. 

What a fun day- definitely worth the forty-five minute trip and definitely worth going back next year!

Up in the hills in farm country of course, the drive was scenic- beautiful Germany.
Booths lined the farmer's area with craft and food vendors. It was a mini fair without all of the craziness that a fair attracts.

We tried the pumpkin bratwurst on white brotchen- a new variety of brat that was super good.

We also had to try the fried goat cheese on toast. It was delicious- how can you not love goat's cheese. Heavenly.

Close to the entrance was a man with antiques. We looked at a few items and decided to check back on our way out.

Jim found this kraut pot and immediately liked it.

It's common to find the light grey stoneware, but this was the first dark brown variety we have seen. By the time we were leaving, I was convinced we needed to get it.

Better yet, the old man was originally selling the big pot for 18 Euro {about $24} but offered us two pots {40 liter and a matching 30 liter} for just 20 Euro, just over $25 for both.

What a deal.

My favorite part of the transaction was talking to the man and listening as he explained how his mother used to make sauerkraut, putting the cabbage and salt in the big pot, then pushing it down with stones on top to hold it down.

So cool.

For us, they are the perfect containers to hold wood next to our fireplace.

I love how they are worn.
I love how they are stamped with the size on the side.

I love how now they are a forever reminder of our time in Germany.

Super heavy.
Very German.
I love them.

Even better, the man wrote down his name and address to visit him at home to see what other treasures he has in his garage.

Oh, it's a day trip in the making.
How do you pass an offer like that up?

Happy V E T E R A N S day

I am always reminded of what it really means being a military family when I go up to Landstuhl Hospital- the largest military hospital outside of the United States.

We have a small clinic here on Ramstein, but for specialty care and the ER we go up to the Army base fifteen minutes away.

With a couple appointments and a couple trips to the ER this month, I've spent a little time at Landstuhl.

It's a huge hospital. I've written about it before. I'm writing about it again.

Last week while leaving out the ER exit, the stretchers were lined up outside with medical staff eagerly awaiting the arrival of yet another bus load of wounded warriors. It's not unusual to see them lined up.
It is however difficult every single time being reminded of what is about to arrive straight from the war.

Germany specifically Landstuhl is the first stop for wounded soldiers coming from Iraq and Afghanistan. We see these wounded warriors on a routine basis.

There is nothing like being in the military.

Growing up with a dad who served first in the Army, then in the Air National Guard for years and years and years until he retired- I was exposed to the military. I am grateful for his service. Thanks, dad.

Marrying a man who chose a career in the Air Force, I now have a better understanding of what military service really means.

I am sure there are many who don't understand how important our military is and how hard our veterans work. Until the last few years, I had no idea.

I am sure there are those who might not agree with military members being able to retire after twenty years of service, or think the pay and benefits are possibly too high.

Those same people might also not understand there is no overtime pay in the military. Ever.
As members in the Air Force, the military owns you and can call you to work twenty-four hours a day.

When situations of conflict arise around the world, this happens. It doesn't matter if you have a vacation planned, or time off lined up.
If you are needed, you work.

Deployments are a way of life for many in the military. Due to the jobs that Jim has had- we have not experienced them.

Many families we know are without their husbands and fathers, or wives and mothers for usually a minimum of four months.

Many deployments are a year long. Army deployments are even longer. Those in the military die every single day serving our country.

This week, I taught in a kindergarten class with a little boy with not only his father deployed but his mother deployed as well. He's not the only one. For many, many military children- this is normal.

I don't think there is another job in the world that takes you involuntarily away from your family for months or even a year at a time.

Military members move a lot. Usually every three to four years. I am learning this is not only difficult, but has also been a blessing in our life.

Yes, Jim chose the military life for our family. We are blessed as a family and it has provided well. I hope it has provided our boys with a broader understanding and appreciation for our veterans as well.

It has also given me not only a greater understanding but a whole new appreciation for those who had and those who continue to serve us. Thank you honey, for your service.

Happy Veteran's Day.

two C O R D S

We are ready for winter!

Using my limited German skills, I finally got up enough courage to talk to our village wood man. I was nervous last year as well.

He speaks no English.

This is good- it forces me to dig vocabulary out of my head.
I understand most of what he says. I know I miss a lot as well.
I dream in German for the next few days after being forced to speak it.

I need to speak it more.

Jim and I stacked it all in neat rows down in the basement. It's nice, dry wood that burns super hot.

Along with Christmas markets, it's the best part of our German winter.

We all love it.

a S L O W E R pace

It's been busy lately.

I think I might possibly have overused this short sentence in the last couple of years. As I look back on the last couple of months, we truly have been running all over the place.

It has been too busy.
I'm tired of busyness.

Caden has had soccer- that has been two nights each week.

Coleman has had swimming lessons one night and baseball one day each week.

Ty has had football every single night with games on Saturdays.

Even being seventeen, he doesn't drive which means picking him up every single day.

Jim is plugging along on his Master's Degree with two intense classes this semester.
They have required a lot of time. Too much time.

I've been the fall coordinator for our Imbiss {German word for our high school concession stand} which has been a big job on Saturday home games.

I started working three weeks ago as a substitute teacher at the elementary school.

and...

As a captain's mom I was in charge planning and executing our huge end-of-the season football banquet.

I tried to delegate to the other moms, but for some reason, I still ended up taking on the bulk of it.

I did it for Ty and for no other reason.

The banquet was last night.

We had 214 guests.
It turned out really nice.

Twenty {20} seniors which means 20 senior gifts.
Seventeen {17} coaches and supporting staff gifts.

Decorations.

Coordinating the location/menu/time/publicity.

I'm exhausted.

One of the academic coaches who I adore came up to me and said I need to stick around next year to help. Then she joked that they could hire me as the party planner. I laughed.

NO way.
The tradition is for captains to get up, present gifts and give quick speeches.

Last year, Justin was among the shy boys who didn't want to talk. It was painful.

This year, Ty was maybe too comfortable in front of the crowd. He did a great job and had no problem talking.

He also got an academic award {which he should have} but, we're proud of him. 
Today, I'm very happy.

Soccer is over.
Football is over.
Imbiss volunteering is over.
Coleman will finish this session of swimming up in a couple weeks. We intentionally did not sign the little guys up for basketball so we could take the winter off.

One day of baseball- I can handle it.

I'm excited to cook more. I'm excited to have a hot fire in the fireplace ready when the boys come home from school and Jim comes home from work since we won't have to go anywhere.

I'm excited for a slower pace.

Super SIX link

It's pouring rain.
P o u r i n g.

It's also Super Six Saturday here in Germany with the European Championship football game tonight. Although Ty will be on the sidelines watching with his fractured clavicle, we will be in the stands cheering for our Royals.

Here's the link to watch live and see a little of Germany:
http://afneurope.net/

Game time is scheduled for 5pm here in Germany. Because we had our time change last weekend, we are now six hours ahead of Central Standard Time (Kansas time).

They never seem to run on time- I would expect it to be at least an hour late, maybe later.

Go Royals!

B U S Y

It's the busiest week of the fall for me. Tomorrow is the European Championship football game. Monday night is our banquet.

It's huge.

We have 208 confirmed guests.
That's a party. I better get back to work.

I might be back to blogging next week.

F O O T B A L L sunday

Update: Bummer... another HCC loss with the final score of 24-31 Independence.

I found a VIDEO link for Justin's game: http://www.ihigh.com/independencecc/broadcast_257689.html?silverlight=1

 

It's the Super Six finals for Ramstein with another win yesterday- they remain unbeaten and headed to play Patch {that team I really don't like} next Saturday. We had snow yesterday and even bundled up were freezing.

As much as The Water Boy is one of Ty's favorite movies, he didn't think he'd be the actual water boy. He's doing ok, taking his new role on the sidelines in stride.

A visit to ortho this week along with new x-rays confirmed that his collarbone looks like it is healing well. In three weeks, he might be able to move and even lift light weight.

That makes him happy. For now, he still has pain any time he moves his arm or shoulder wrong.

I don't think next weekend will be much warmer here in Germany.

It's the final game of the season for the Scotties. They didn't make it to the play-offs. Justin was pretty bummed about that. There is next year.

Highland (1-5, 2-6) is playing at Independence (1-5, 3-5), Kick-off is at 2:00 Kansas time. It's a team they should be able to beat with a similar record. Ending the season at 3-6 overall sounds a tad better than 2-7.

I'm really hopeful for no injuries- a football mom's biggest worry. In last week's game, the Benedictine guy taken off in the ambulance broke his leg. Highland's LT hurt his knee and was taken off in the gator.

Especially with Ty's fractured clavicle injury this last week, I'm reminded of how rough sports are.
I'm also a little more nervous.

I'm not sure if we are going to be able to watch or see Justin's Highland game tonight, or not. It is their last game and his last game as a freshman- he's more than a little excited about that.

The Scotties are playing Independence and have a good chance of winning.

I emailed the Independence coach several days ago, called the athletic office and have searched their Web site for a link with no response or results.

On the Jayhawk conference Web site, they have a link posted for KKOY radio. That link is not working for me now. Might be because it only works once the game starts.

If you follow the link below it will take you to the Jayhawk conference.

http://www.kjccc.org/football/fbindex.html

On the left-hand side of the page is a list of links for each team in the conference. I am hopeful that this link for Independence Radio will work once game time rolls around.

Independence Hot 105.5FM - KKOY Radio

Kick-off is at 2pm CST time. I'll keep looking for a better link and will update if I can find one.

Go Scotties!

T R I C K on our 7-year old Caden

It was the best birthday, ever.

For me, at least.

We skipped the party and Caden didn't even seem to mind. Seriously, I'm about the worst birthday-party mom. They're just not enjoyable in the least for me.

I love making their favorite dinner. I love setting the table. I love seeing them a year older. I even love taking cupcakes to their classes. I don't love throwing parties with tons of screaming kids.

Maybe I'm just a bad party-planner and can't justify spending hundreds of dollars to take them somewhere cool.

Dinner for our little seven-year old was Hawaiian Haystacks (rice with chicken/gravy and toppings including cheese, mandarin oranges, chow mein noodles, celery, tomato) and artichokes. Fresh artichokes, not the kind out of a jar or in a dip.

Dessert: homemade cheesecake. He likes what he likes. I think that's been the same menu for him three years in a row.

He was happy. I was happy.

The only things he asked for were white football pants for away games, of course. He is a Highland Scottie, you know? And, he wanted a hill bike. Not a mountain bike, a hill bike.

We get these little Caden-isms every day. He's so funny, I just hope we don't forget them.

We had a couple friends over including Ty's girlfriend {aka Caden's girlfriend} for dinner, cake and gifts. After opening his birthday presents and cards and receiving money from grandparents and his aunt/uncle we joked with him that maybe now he would have enough for his hill bike.

Of course, we had already bought it and had it hidden in the laundry room. We told Caden to go feed Lady so he'd walk right into it.

He was surprised. Makes life fun.

It's huge, but he loves it. Crazy kid.

Justin's final football game of the season is Sunday this weekend, not Saturday, not Monday. They play Independence at Independence. I'll get the link up tomorrow.

Ty's Ramstein Royals start semi-final play today at home.
Super Six finals are next weekend for him. After they win today, of course.

F L O S S E N B U R G

Honest, it wasn't all seriousness during our week of travels in September.

As I look back at our pictures, I realized we did go from from the cemetery to a concentration camp.

We had to fit in some history along with the good food, castles and fests.

With Ty playing football at a base in Vilseck, Germany, we knew we were making the four-hour drive east.

It was the goal to find something close to the high school to make a side trip for sightseeing.

We had to find something, right?

We did. Of course, we did.
We found the Flossenburg Concentration Camp less than an hour from Ty's game.

It's right on the Czechoslovakia border.

We had intentions of crossing over into the Czech Republic and actually forgot as we left and went straight to Ty's game.

Oh, well- we'll be back.

With kick-off at 1pm and a four-hour drive ahead of us, we woke up at 4:30am and were on the road somewhere around 5am.

It was early, but so worth it. It was cold too. I had no business wearing flip-flops today.

I was never a good student when it came to history. I got a D in US history my sophomore year and had to repeat it.

I have never been good at memorization and dates do not stay in my head. I also get bored quite easily.

If I'm not interested in a book within the first few pages, I'm lost and my mind wanders- hence the D.

Real history is another story. Historical fiction is my favorite genre by far.

Especially since living in Germany, I love reading about WWII. Still can't tell you the dates of anything, but the stories are fascinating to me.

What a horrible time in history. Leaving these sites always creates the desire within to read and learn more about what happened back then.

I want to know the stories and the history. Give me real-live history and I can focus.

What better place to soak up some history lessons than living in Europe?

Hands-on is so much better. To see the striped clothing they wore, their name tags, worn-out shoes, passports and pictures is something you can never forget.

We wanted to make the stop at Dachau, but realized it was too far south for this day trip.

I was completely unaware of how many concentration camps there were spread all over Europe until we started looking them up and found Flossenburg.

It is huge.

Again, the feeling on the grounds is peaceful and reverent. The museums are filled with more information than we could take in during our short two-hour visit.

I wouldn't mind going to our next one sans kids- to read and soak in more.

They have headsets with audio of actual prisoner interviews. Coleman and Caden did listen to some of them. I wish I could have listened to more.

They also have video footage.

I took this straight from their Web site:
The first granite quarry was established there in 1875 and soon became the center of the village economy.

In the late 1930's the owner of the quarry -- also mayor of the village and a loyal Nazi -- persuaded Heinrich Himmler to establish a major camp at the site.

KL Flossenbürg was established in May 1938, and began as a relatively small facility originally intended for criminals, "asocial" persons, and Jews, but it grew to include political prisoners and foreign prisoners of war.

Between 1938, when the camp was established, and April 1945, more than 96,000 prisoners passed through Flossenbürg. About 30,000 eventually died there.

The torture and pain they endured is unbelievable.

Standing on the grounds where they lined up, seeing where they were cremated, and walking where they walked makes it a little more real.

I hope my boys remember some of these places we've been able to take them to.

Lorraine A M E R I C A N cemetery

It was another memorable day trip. Perfect weather, crisp fall colors starting to show and clear skies above.

With family visiting last month, I had my huge list of places to see. Some that we've seen that we don't mind visiting again.

There are others that we haven't seen that we want to check off our list. St. Avold and the US cemetery is one of those places I've really wanted to visit.

About an hour from our house across the border into France is the Lorraine American Cemetery and Monument.

It contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II in Europe, a total of 10,489.

The grounds are immaculate. We had a chance to see some workers meticulously hand-trimming the graves. It is a reverent, peaceful place.

We talked to the woman in the visitor's center for a while. She showed us online how to look up names on their site to search all Americans from war buried in Europe.

We couldn't help wondering if there were any relatives.

We could't help reflecting on what times were like back then.