So it’s been almost a year since I first arrived in Germany. In some ways we feel like we’ve been here forever, but in other ways it feels like it’s only been a month. That got me thinking about the things that have changed and those that haven’t.
Things that haven’t changed: Dogs’ housebreaking, Terrel’s inability to put up the toilet seat, my distaste for laundry, my cooking skills, mysterious spots that appear on clothes from the washer (Oil from Terrel’s forgotten chap sticks and greasy coveralls), no screens for our windows, no cover over the porch to keep birds away, our inability to eat fruits and vegetable before they spoil, our happily ever after.
Things that have changed: Two dogs instead of One, Broken sink, two solid paychecks, several debts completely paid off, two cars (one temporarily broken), destruction of house by dogs, adjustment to military life, increased happiness with our life and home, we’re ready to start our family.
Recently there has been a lot going on, but it’s still far less busy than during the school year. We have plenty of time to relax and enjoy our house and the dogs. We’re discovering lots of great movies that we missed when we were busy and before the theatre reopened. We miss our families but hope that there are lots of visitors on their way!
52
I was trying to turn the candles to make it say 52... and got teased because I forgot to reverse it for the camera. Anyway, the joke was that Terrel is old!
The Birthday Ice Cream :)
He didn't want a cake. He thought that he'd get out of candles and singing.... he was so wrong.
Galaxy Erding
You can see us eating pizza at the bottom of the screen. Behind us is a smaller kid area, the lading area for several slides, and in the background you can almost make out pieces of 13 different slides!
Terrel Babysitting
Terrel's version of babysitting. To be fair, she did want to watch him play 'the monsters.' Kids and computers!
Camp David's Grill
This was what the outside of our tent looked
Air Force One Lounge
This was the eating area for our guests. Yes, we made this too.
Grills
The guys grilling at Volksfest
The Coal Pit
I'm so impressed with Terrel's skills! He built two of these from scraps of steel, an old metal drum, and his amazing welding skills. He was very impressed with his own welding skills. We'll be using this during the Volksfest.
Motor Pool
Terrel in the shop next to a truck he was working on. It's amazing how huge the vehicles are. Sometimes Terrel tries to explain a service and I just smile.
Alli's Visit
Alli and I as I drop her off at the airport.
Wahalla
Alli and I at Wahalla, high above Regenberg. The architecture and view is fantastic.
Home Improvements
In addition to our inside improvements, we finally filled our planters. This is the new view from our porch. :)
The Alps!
Garmisch
Terrel's Award
Terrel walked in the door with his newest award. The Army Achievement Award. I got a picture so we could share it with you!
Maverick 1/1
Happy New Year from Maverick. He is getting huge. It's getting harder and harder to pick him up. He's almost 20 pounds now.
Terrel in Uniform
I almost had to hold him down but I got a picture of Terrel in his Class A's. He wouldn't face forward because this was after his ribbon when missing. But still a pretty good picture, but I'm biased.
After the Ball
This is a new favorite picture of mine. This is Terrel and I after the ball when we're getting ready to change and relax.
Great Picture
I don't know why I took this picture but I'm glad I did. It's a great one of Terrel. I think he's trying to be goofy, but it came out nicely.
In Nurnberg
Us standing in front of a large golden sculpture. There is a brass ring attached to the gate that is supposed to bring you luck/grant a wish if you turn it.
The Tree
Maverick sitting in front of our decorated Tree. He managed not to eat the tree, decorations or skirt. (We are still recovering from shock).
Inside the Nurnberg Castle
This is the chapel inside the castle. There are statues and carvings of saints and the last supper around the walls. In front is a life size Jesus on the cross. To his right is a statue of his mother with him as an infant.
Our First Christmas Tree
This would have been our Christmas card if we had taken it three weeks earlier. It was taken right after we set-up and plugged in our tree.
Narration
Terrel narrated our drive to get the new car. It got to the piont that we were both cracking up and he made no sense. It was a great time.
New Car #1
This is our Seat. Terrel refers to it as a Mexican Volkswagn because it's made in Mexico but has a volkswagon frame and engine. He drives it most of the time because it's better on gas. He also gets to park it outside instead of the garage since he leaves first. Here he cleans it off after the first snow.
The first snow
This is Terrel cleaning off the car after our first snow. We're not sure exactly how much snow we got, but it was enough to turn our town into a winter wonderland.
Trouble
So now that he's getting bigger, he's getting into bigger trouble. He's always nosing around for something. Usually, something he shouldn't have. In this case, he wants the treat on top of my hope chest. The chest is about 30 inches high... so the puppy has grown.
Tug of War
Maverick's favorite games are fetch and tug of war. Here Terrel shows off just how much of a hound we have. Once he finds something, he won't let go until you make him. This is by far his favorite game and our favorite way to tire him out.
Hercules and Maverick
Our Inseperable Pups
Christmas Market
Us and our friends at the Christmas Market.
Kinder Market
In the children's area of the Christmas market are lots of stands. On top of every stand are animated people. Each scene relates to the booth below. This picture was above a booth filled with sweets.
In Nurnberg 2
Standing in front of one of the bridges in Nurnberg. The city has several beautiful bridges and walkways along the river. It's colder around them, but extremely beautiful at night. Store and restaurants line both sides.
Christmas Ball 2008
Terrel and I in front of the tree at the Christmas Ball in Weiden.
Terrel's Toe
As you can see, Terrel is extremely upset over his temporary disability. :)
Terrel... or Opa?
Please notice the scary and striking similarity between Terrel and his grandfather!
Welcome To My Room
This is the view from my classroom door.
My Classroom
A larger view of my room.
Student Desks
My students are all in desk sets of 3-4 students.
Student Area
This is where students hang their bookbags in the morning. There are also 'behavior cards.' When they misbehave they flip their cards... from green, to blue, to yellow, to orange, then red. (Do not get to red)
Library
This is my student library. All the books are sorted by reading level.
Read Along Area
This is our non-fiction area. It is also where the students listen to books on tape and read along.
Computers and More
Look... what you see is what you get. The pillows are for students to use when we meet on the carpet or they read around the room. Under the flag is the lunch chart. Students put their name by their lunch choice. It's informative and math all in one.
Another Area
Our sink, the reading table, the art shelf, and so much more.
Decorative
Student work and organization. Number lines, sequencing, word family pictures, math activities... I'm a slave driver!
Closets
Every student has a cubby for their winter stuff. I love these hanging folders for the inside of the closet. I'm finally getting the organization done!
My Desk
So many resources and so much work. That is why I am always at work so late.
Neuschwanstein
Terrel and I at the famous Neuschwanstein Castle
Xbox 360
Terrel opening his Xbox ( a few days early). The wrapping was torn and he was too excited to wait.
House Pictures At Last
This is the view into our Dining Room from out front door. We also call this our "Main/Big Room." It is the only room in our house that does not have a slanted ceiling. From the doorway the kitchen and bathroom are on the right. Our living room is around the corner to your left. In front of you is a hallway that leads back to the master and guest bedrooms. The glass door leads to our balcony.
Main/Big Room
This is the view of the dining room from the oposite side (from the back hall).
Main/Big Room 3
This is what you would see on your left as you enter our house. You can also see into the living room.
Main/Big Room 4
This angle lets you see our christmas tree and hutch. To get a 360 degree view of the room just view the pictures in order as they move counter clockwise around the room.
Living Room 1
From the living room door into the room. This is where we watch tv, read, and play ( I mean work) on our computers.
Living Room 2
From the back wall to the front of the room. Please note the Xbox 360 (thank you Julie and Alan) and the new TV (thank you Mamaw and Papaw). The new afghan made by Oma wasn't on the couch then, but it is now and matches perfectly!
Living Room 3
The computer station is in this area. It's changed a bit since this picture because we bought a desk for my computer. Terrel's desk is usually occupied. :)
Kitchen
From the back corner by the dishwasher and sink, this is the view of my kitchen. Although there is a fair amount of space, the slanted ceilings make finding storage a challenge. Also, it becomes difficult to move around if there are four or five people in the kitchen. Note the size of the oven (about the size of a large microwave or mini-fridge). I love my metal shelf on the back wall. It displays all my shiny/colorful pots and fancy cooking tools. It's also really easy to grab them when I want them. Our fridge is slightly smaller than a traditional american fridge. Compare it to the size of the toaster its the left. The wooden shelf and cabinet on the right wall are our only pantry/storage in the kitchen.
Kitchen 2
Turning slightly to the right, you can see the main wall of the kitchen. This is my entire work space, unless I use the dining room table. There is a microwave, coffee pot, ad transformer on one counter. The rest have my spices, canisters, and various other things. What space that's left is my workspace. Eventually we'll have an island to make up for lack of coutners. In addition, I took these pictures while preparing Christmas Eve dinner, so you can see the ham on the stove, pumpkin breadson a counter, and the rest of my mess. (Yes, this is what it always looks like when I cook.)
Kitchen 3
Taken from the opposite wall (by fridge). This is the sink, dishwasher, and far wall. You can see the door that leads to the main room and the bright yellow color we chose. This room tends to feel small and has porr lighting. We chose a bright (maybe too bright) yellow to make it more cheery. The towels decorate for the season and help to cover up some of the yellow. Maverick says hi!
Bathroom 1
Our bathroom is very large and has a slanted ceiling which makes finding storage a bit difficult. Also, the toilets here have the tank in the wall. So you cannot use the types of shelves that fit behind the seat and over the tank. However, it is beautiful and spacious. In Germany you also have to open windows due to poor ventilation. This can make for a chilly exit from baths and showers.
Bathroom 2
Our entire bathroom is tile, with a built-in shelf and pretty pattern. Their is a sink directly behind me in this picture but a sink is just a sink. Look carefully and you can see the slanted celiing. It's hard to see in this picture but that tub is pretty deep and very wide. Perfect after a long day.
Back Hall
We painted this a crazy green color that we've adjusted to, but don't love. Pictures of friends and family decorate the wall on the left. The master bedroom is on the left and the guest bedroom is on the right. There are no pictures of the master bedroom because it was a bt messy after Christmas.
Guest Bedroom 1
View from the door. Excuse the mess on the bed.
Guest Bedroom 2
Moving counter clockwise around the room. This is taken from the otherside of the bed. It's a full, for anyone coming to visit. :)
Guest Room 3
From the back corner. This room doubles as storage for things that we use infrequently or need to be taken to the basement (eventually).
Training
We only got to shoot 2 shots each, but I was 2 for 2 at 900 meters (984 yds almost the length of 10 football fields). Pretty cool. Sorry I didn't get any pictures of me shooting the Barrett .50 Caliber sniper rifle. It looks a lot cooler, and kicks a little harder. Think of a double barrel Mossberg 12 ga., sawed off, and pulling both triggers at once... that's about how hard the .50 cal kicked. It was cool to shoot though. Just trying to keep everyone in the loop. Forward this around to anyone I missed.
Maverick's Bath
This is Maverick peeking out over the tub as I tried to give him a bath. He smelled so bad he had to be washed twice.
Maverick Attacks
This is Maverick climbing on Terrel after a long day of work. He loves to crawl all over us and try to lick our face or get us to play.
The Old BMW
This is the old BMW. It is still running but the current owner is putting a few hundred dollars in it so it will pass inspection. Not a bad deal for him since he got the car for free. Not a bad deal for us either since it costs 80 Euro to dump a car here.
Maverick over Time
So I realized how quickly Maverick is growing and decided to put a few pictures together. It's crazy how fast he's grown!
Fall is Here
Fall is here and the trees are already changing. Apples have been picked and the landscape is beautiful. This was the sunset as we drove back from Hohenfells.
Maverick
Our new puppy is getting bigger. He's almost doubled in size already!
Terrel at 24
Terrel on his birthday overlooking our backyard
Newest Addition
This is Maverick, the newest addition to our family
1 comment:
Maybe to you guys it seems like a short time, to me, the last year has seemed like an eternity. A year is a loooooong time for Mom to go without seeing her kids. But I am glad you are getting to see and experience all of this. A once in a lifetime opportunity!
Love ya!
Mom
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