Here are a few pictures of things that happened in September and October.
During the Spring/Summer, we thought we were moving back to America. It was a really fast thing that turned into nothing. But before we found out if fell through, I was working hard to get things in order for a quick move. But, at the same time, I was working hard to get things in order here, just in case it didn't work out. And I am so glad I did that.
When that happened, I told Gardner I deserved a trip back to America. I had earned it with all that just happened. I have to say, my heart was broken that we were not moving back. I was really looking forward to it. But hey, I got a trip out of the ordeal.
So in September I flew out to America. I flew to Wisconsin to meet a group of Scrapbooking Friends. We come from all over America (and me from Germany) and meet up in Wisconsin to Scrapbook, laugh, hang out and just enjoy being with each other.
But I had a secret. I bought my ticket the end of May and flew in September. And during that time, I did not tell my family I was coming. I decided it would be really fun to Surprise my mom. Time passed and I decided I needed to let Coleen, my youngest sister, in on the secret. And I did so. We planned a family dinner, which was supposed to be a surprise to everyone at that dinner, when I arrived. I was only to be in Salt Lake for three days. Three days is not very long at all.
Well, as it got closer, I decided I needed to tell my siblings who would be coming to dinner with us about the trip. I had a fear that their lives would be too busy and they wouldn't come. But if they knew I would be there, then they would show up. I was right. I made phone calls and made them promise not to tell anyone. Not even to discuss it with other siblings. I couldn't take a chance of it slipping at all.
I flew in Sunday and got in around 10pm at night. Coleen picked me up from the airport and drove me to my parents house. She and her husband are living there, so it made it practical. I got out of the car to get my suitcase and I saw my dad looking out the window. I thought I was busted. I thought he saw me. But he didn't. WHEW.
Coleen went into the house while I continued to get my stuff out of the car. I gave her a pack of my moms favorite candy bars from Germany. And she took it into my parents room. I could hear the conversation. And my mom asked what was behind Coleen's back. She shows her. And my mom asks, "Where did that come from?" And Coleen responded, "Where do you think it came from?" Then my mom asks, "Who sent that to you?" I guess Coleen has access to great chocolate from someone else besides me.
Anyway, at this point I literally ran in her room, jumped on her bed and said, "From me, of course!" I don't think I have ever seen my mom's jaw dropped for so long. She kept asking what I was doing there. It was seriously PRICELESS! I loved it. And I doubt I will be able to do something like that again. Plus, it wouldn't have the same effect the second time around.
While I was in Utah, The first night I went to dinner with the family. The second night, I went to dinner with a few friends from High School. The third night, I went to dinner with two of my companions from my Mission. Afterwards, I went to the movies with Coleen and Matt and then two of my High School Friends joined us.
After being in Utah for a few days, I went back to Wisconsin to enjoy another scrap weekend with friends from Wisconsin. These were the girls I used to scrap with when I lived there.
I ate out every single meal, every single day for almost two weeks. I was sure I had gained 10 pounds. I was very excited to get home and find out it was only 2 pounds.
I also got real sick while in America. I spent one whole week there coughing. And then came home and coughed for another week. I had Bronchitas. Too many airplanes and too much air conditioner. I forgot what an air conditioner felt like. COLD.
I loved every minute of my time in America. And I plan on doing it again in September 2010. And if I am really lucky, and prices for airline tickets are good, I will be able to go out in March 2010 with Hannah during Easter Break.
Here are a few pictures I have from my time in Utah. All my friends have pictures of me from Wisconsin. I have to try and get them to send them my way.
OK, so it isn't our wedding anniversary or anything terribly exciting. But Ian's birthday always sparks many memories. Ian's birthday marks how long we have been in Germany.
We moved here to Germany on September 21, 2006. This comes just three weeks after Ian was born. Ian being born just marks the craziness that happened to get us out of the country.
We had plan tickets already bought. We had to get a birth Certificate, a Social Security number and A passport picture so that we could get Ian's passport rushed back to us in order to move. This was no easy task. I remember Ian being born at 1pm and Gardner leaving that very afternoon to start the process.
Three Years in Germany. It is weird. Because when we first talked about moving here, I thought it would be for 18 months. I've lived in Germany for 18 months before. I can do that. But talking it over with Gardner one night back in Wisconsin, all of a sudden, he told me three years. OK, it just doubled.
We moved here and decided five years. It was too much of a hassle to get us moved over here. So now we are going to be here five years. After doing all the financial math, we decided we will probably be here 7 years. Notice it has already more than doubled, again.
Well, one night, Gardner mentioned we might not ever move back. And I had to think about it. And honestly, if that was to happen, it isn't the worst thing that could happen to us. But I immediately put a price on that. I told him I get to go back to America every year if we stayed indefinately.
Well, the forever got changed back to seven years. And then seven years eventually got moved to five years. And here we sit at three years in Germany. And all I can say is, I have no idea how much longer we will be here. Could be three months, could be a year, could be three years. Who knows.
So today, I am starting my catch up on the blog.
Ian had his 3rd birthday on August 31st. We had fun celebrating a day early. Very bad luck here in Germany, to celebrate early. But Spencer was going to be on a class trip the next day. And we just could not celebrate with out him.
We had the Becker's come over for dinner after Church. Uwe and Ursula are like the Kids Grandparents here in Germany. The kids love them and they love the kids. It is so nice to know we have someone even when our families are so far away.
After dinner, Ian opened his presents. Of course, Legos were the in thing again this year. But to make it even better was Bob the Builder Legos.
I made an attempt at making a cake Ian would like. Without box mixes here, I went online looking for a cake recipe. And I have to say, taste wise, the cake was very good. I had a vision of what I wanted to do with the cake. But as you know, visions always look better in your mind. On the cake, it turned out ok. But definately not what I had planned.
I crunched up Oreo Cookies to make a road. And I bought some Hot Wheels Cars to put on the cake. Ian LOVED this so much. The moment he blew out the candles (and it did take him a few tries), he snatched the cars right off of it.
He celebrated his birthday at school the next day, which was actually his birthday. We took in Chocolate Chip Muffins. He got to make himself a birthday crown, with Emma's help of course. And he wore that crown all day long. It even had some streamers in the back hanging down. He still wears that crown, more than two months later.
Oh My Gosh! I am so shocked to see that the last entry to my blog was on August 20th. How can that be?
So many things I didn't share:
*Ian's 3rd Birthday
*My Trip To America
*Surprising My Mom, as she had no idea I was coming to America until I was standing in her bedroom.
*Herbst Ferien (Fall School Break)
And I am sure there is more. So be on the look out for pictures, stories and such in the next few days. I have to get caught up before next week. As next Tuesday Shantal turns 12, Wednesday is St Martin's and Saturday next week Shantal is having a birthday party. That is only the beginning of the business that comes with this time of year for our family.
