Second time's a charm

Usually it's third time's a charm...but I'll go with second this time around.  Last year we had only been in Germany 6 weeks and were off for our first official Euro ski break.  Isn't it crazy that the kids get a week off and they actually call it 'ski break'.  Well - what's a person to do with an invite like that, but to ski!  So we headed to the Alps.  I still have a hard time saying, 'I'm skiing the Alps' given the fact in Mr. Timm's 6th grade class at Herbert Hoover Elementary I had to think of the most exotic place to go in my life....and I wrote about Maine.  So as you can imagine actually skiing in Austria is still a lot to imagine and we feel extremely lucky.

Packing a family of 5 for any trip is a challenge - but then you add in all the ski gear - need I say more. By the time Tim got home from work on Friday you couldn't even walk in the front door.  Suitcases, LL Bean bags with zippers bulging, and of course my personal favorite part of skiing vacations.....games and all the fixins' for apres ski.  We had a bit of a strategy after last year's trek to Austria remembering most of the EU has ski break at the same time....most head to ski.....and there seems to one way up and one way back.  Our strategy was to wake up at 5:00 and hit the road.....and as I said before:  second time's a charm.  The traffic was spotty, but not like we experienced last year with the autobahn parking lot.  We were skiing with a group of about 40 including kiddos.....so some texts were exchanged along the route....and re-route....and excitement built as we climbed the windy roads to our hotel.  It's always fun driving these roads with a passenger who has a fear of heights (that would be me).  It is breath-taking and nerve-wracking at the same time.  The kids are always saying, "mom, you really don't want to look down right now, but look at that!!"  I also love Tim's comments on the fact he's amazed there are no guard rails......oh well, who needs those anyways on icy, hairpin turns?
For all the snow we got in December, it's amazing that there really wasn't much snow when we arrived....but that soon changed, as another couple of feet fell (or 60 cm - look how far I've come with the metric system in 15 months) the first two nights we were there.  I was well-informed that the hotel was going to be 1800 meters up....ski in / ski out and no town but get a load of the picture.....

It was amazing.....all nestled in the mountainside.  Tim was like a kid in a candy store...loving every minute of the fact he could ski in and out...and his wife wasn't going to be asking for any money as there was no where to shop.  It was incredibly beautiful to see the sun shining and a clear, blue sky.  I could swear that the mountains were covered with powdered sugar.
Once we unloaded and unpacked it was time for the moment we all dread as a family of 5.  Ski rental!!!!  Could Nike ever invent a comfortable lightweight 'air' ski boot?  Once you figure out the kids weight in kgs, height in km, and European shoe size (which is not the same as the UK or US), and you try to decipher what they're trying to ask you in the Austrian dialect of German......I was about ready for apres ski....and we haven't even skied yet.  The kids were troopers and got everything sorted....mom was the weakest link.  I can never get my heel in the ski boots - can anyone relate?  I will admit that this is the first trip that I can actually say I've mastered it. (just the getting ready part - not the skiing part)  The entire Schmidt clan could latch, lace, buckle, snap, zip, and ski on their own!  Another milestone accomplished!

Caleb mastered the poles...and the cutest outfit (no mom bias)

Noah skiing through the deep stuff

Hannah and Ashley -the teen skiers!

With our good friends Donna and Wes and family

As I look back at all the pictures I've decided that it's a good thing there is no 'snow security' because we all look like ninjas.  I went up to one guy in our group one afternoon and told him that his kids were covered and skiing like champs.  He replied, "thanks, and I have no idea who you are".  With the helmet, the ski, the neck wrap everyone looks the same. But I definitely stand out on the slopes - I'm the one taking the enormous side to sides.  The skiing was great even for a rookie like me. I had never experienced skiing through powder - so that was an adventure and softened the fall a bit. This year was especially nice for 'mom' as the whole family skies a heck of a lot better than me...but with a group this size there was always someone ready to ski with me.  I even got to do a few runs with the kids on their way to the blacks....Hannah had a group of teenagers to ski with which was a treat....and ski school for the boys is always a hoot.  Caleb spent the last day doing a slalom race and took 5th place.

I will say that the apres ski was one of the best parts of the vacation.....the adults met in one room and the kids entertained themselves with cards or scattagories.  Good wine, good conversation, good stories.  Skiing stories are a bit like rehashing 18 holes on the golf course (which I can never do)...but for some reason men can recite every mogul, bump, icy patch and remember every run number they skied throughout the day.  That was pretty easy for me as I pretty much stuck to 3 runs....all blue with no moguls, icy spots, or steep parts!  But I did make it to the top of the mountain and was part of the family pic this year!  Another milestone.....second time's a charm. 

Apres ski rosy cheeks

So all in all the whole group had a great week!  No major injuries.....no drama....just good old family fun!  We came a long ways in a week of skiing.  The ski boots never comfortable...but a little advil helped with the aches and pains.  As we turned in our equipment, (and could actually walk in regular shoes again), and loaded our stinky ski clothes in the car for the trek back to Germany we all came away with great memories of skiing in the Alps.  Since the second time was a charm we look forward to what the third time brings!

Now this certainly is a holiday!

Now when I usually think of a holiday I think of a special occasion.  But now that I have lived in Germany for over a year, holiday has taken on a whole new meaning.  You know what....Europeans have this holiday-thing down.  The kids get three weeks off for Christmas, and I love every minute of the European school schedule.  Now keep in mind we only get 6 weeks off for summer....so it all evens out in the end.  We booked our first ever......10 day.....crazy long....holiday to Tenerife.  I must admit a year ago I had no idea where Tenerife was or anything about it....so my German may not have improved but by golly my geography sure has!  All I knew about Tenerife was that is was one of the Canary Islands (who knew)....and I'll be the first to tell you there ain't any canaries to be found....but the Canaries are a group of islands southwest of Morocco that are owned by Spain.

As usual I packed the bags (except for Hannah - she does her own packing - and she is darn good at it...puts me to shame - she's forever whipping out some cute outfit - and all I have are mismatched shoes).  I had a flashback to my childhood as we stood in the airport check in line.  We had 20 inches of snow on the ground in Frankfurt...and darn it we were heading somewhere warm...who needs a coat, right?  Back in the old days (as my kids say) I was (and still am) the youngest of five kids. I can remember loading the car for our annual trek from Wisconsin to Florida for springbreak.  My dad would have his bermuda shorts on before we crossed into Illinois.  So flashback...as I looked around at the other customers standing in line heading for sunny Spain...they had on coats and hats...and we were sporting a lighweight fleece and flats. (no socks)  But as I noted before, not Hannah....she was appropriately dressed and toasty warm. Watch out Spain the Schmidt clan is a comin' your way.

As we got to the ticket counter it was a bit like a scene from 'Meet the Fockers'....when Ben Stiller got upgraded to first class, and everything seemed to going just right....we got upgraded - no questions asked (and we didn't even ask) - although we did stand out with our spring/summer attire and maybe he just felt a little sorry for us.  But in any event....we will take it!  Sold!  As we boarded the plane and got our family of 5 settled in, it was time to begin this magical thing Europeans call holiday...maybe a mimosa, or one of those nice warm towels...but all I could focus on at that very moment was the incredible amount of coughing, sneezing, wheezing and who knows what else circulating all around us - blowing right in my face - I can never reach the thing to turn it off......how in the world will we actually get off this flight without catching some crazy, exotic bug....and then landing in some island...ok..just sit back, relax and stop worrying.  Of course the rest of the family is settled in...it just takes 'mom' a bit longer. 
Our flight from Frankfurt to Madrid was quite easy - who can complain when you're sitting at the front of the plane.  As we got off the flight attendant said, "buenos dias" not 'guten tag'.....my holiday had begun.  Although as we walked to our next gate I did notice there were an awful lot of Ugg boots and parkas everywhere...hmm....it will get warmer after this next 3 hour flight, right? 
We weren't so lucky on the next leg of our journey - no upgrade - and as a matter of fact we were scattered all over the plane....and it was a full - filled to the brim - luggage jammed in overheads kind of flight.  As we took off the flight attendant started going over all the safety items in spanish, then german....and finally english.  Those are the moments when you feel a long, long ways from home.  The flight was uneventful, although we could see the beautiful sea below us and that got our adrenalin flowing. As we got off this leg of our journey I really didn't spot any parkas or Uggs...I think we're going to be ok.  Of course the kids are stripping off their fleeces and baring those wonderful pasty white arms.......Our Spanish holiday has begun.

It's a lot of concrete right smack in the middle of the Ocean

We spotted the taxi stand and waited for a taxi large enough for 5 people and their baggage.  These taxis are not made for families of 5, so just imagine something like a cross between a mini van and a station wagon pulling up.....the driver proceeded to flip up a jump seat in the way back....and who gets that seat you wonder?  Another flashback to my childhood....and being the youngest of 5...my reserved spot on our family treks was always the hump.  So amongst all the bags there sat Caleb...with basically just the top of his head and his eyes peaking through all the bags....youngest dudes don't ever get the best seat in our family.  Although I did feel a bit bad as this is the kid who gets carsick after a few minutes on the autobahn (but then who doesn't).  After a 10 hour travel day it was just about perfect timing for the clan to get the giggles....and it all stemmed from taxi driver.  This sweet, very petite Spanish man. "Look how big dad looks.  He looks like a giant", one of the kids said.  I'm sure that not all Spanish men are this small, but at this moment, in our taxi....it was most certainly the case.  Tim was sitting in the front seat next to our driver...and granted Tim is tall....but I'm not kidding when I say that I think our driver could have fit into Tim's shirt pocket....he could have been a pocket pal.  It just struck us as funny.....and once one domino falls.....they all go down.....where is that sangria when you need it!  Actually it wasn't too far off...as we walked into the hotel this wonderful Spanish man (also quite small) greeted us with punch and sangria......I am loving Spain!

The view from our balcony

Needless to say the weather was perfect.  It was sunny and bright every day.  I so miss the sun...this is just what the Doctor ordered.  We didn't need a fleece the entire time....and the sunsets at the end of day made it feel like groundhog day.....remarkable.  We were the only Americans at the hotel(and the only ones reading the Bush novel - which stirred some discussion one morning at breakfast). The Canary Islands are frequented by the British (English) and the German.  It was awesome hearing English and having an English menu everywhere you go - Big Bonus!
Because Tenerife is a volcanic island, the sand at the beaches is black.  Some of the resorts have brought in white sand, but the black sand was interesting and it is said that it has radioactive currents that help with healing arthritis....don't know what truth there is to that...but you never know it might come up one day when you're in need of silly trivia.

The water temperature only varies 3 degrees during the year.

The flowers were sparce - not nearly as beautiful as Hawaii or the Bahamas

We chartered a sailboat one day....and our Captain Frank guaranteed we'd see whales or money back.  I wasn't too sure....now dolphins, yes.....but whales?  We sailed out about 5 miles and sure enough...even though most in the fam were feeling a bit green.....we saw whales.  Pilot whales...that are only found in Japan, Hawaii and Tenerife.....and they feed on giant squid.  Who knew?  Another bit of trivia if you ever end up on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". 

It is pretty amazing to be on 'holiday' for 10 days.  And I've been converted...because a holiday is a special occasion in my book..... and this trip was certainly just that.  We are very lucky to be experiencing this...and we're soaking it all in. 

I was amazed as I looked around the pool and didn't see people on cell phones...but really relaxing.  I walked the pool deck one day and couldn't get over the number of people reading 'Girl with the dragon tattoo' in a million different languages.  I've gotten used to the topless women...it's a cultural thing and quite frankly I don't even notice anymore.  One thing that is quite universal whether it's a U.S. vacation or a European holiday is a simple game of Marco Polo......same in every language.  I loved my aqua yim (gym - but he pronounced it yim) instructor....and even though it was absolutely the most embarrassing, humiliating thing I could have done (according to my kids)....I thoroughly enjoyed it.  They really loved it when I waved to them across the pool....they about died.  I did notice by day 4 that the clan usually headed to the beach about 3:15.....just as Aqua Yim was beginning.  It was refreshing to see my husband relaxing....enjoying a bit of peace...and the kids enjoyed his undivided attention.  One thing I just have to mention is the New Year's Day parade.  It wasn't a Disney owned hotel, but Disney characters are universal....and to see a Spanish, nicely-tanned Mickey and Minnie was priceless. 

Overall I will take a 'holiday' any day.....and it is really the first time that by the end of the trip we didn't yearn for one more day.....it was time to go home.....it was back to routine and reality.  It was time to put on the layers....and the Uggs.  And that's ok with me!

525,600 minutes

 It's official.....525,600 minutes in Germany!  We've reached our 1 year anniversary! (and we're just getting the hang of it)

Let it snow.....

Outside my window.....

It is funny that one year ago today we experienced the 'blizzard of 09' in New York and our flight to Germany was delayed a day...and as I write this morning we are hunkered down with a snow day in Germany.  Ironic!
We are enjoying our first Christmas season in Germany filled with lots and lots of Gluhwein....it does have an acquired taste....but on a cold evening in Germany, walking through the myriad of village Christmas markets.....it warms the heart! (and the feet....depending on how many you have).  My in-laws were able to partake in a bit of holiday cheer...Germany style - and the verdict is still out on the gluhwein...but they did enjoy the cute little mugs and a couple made their way back in their suitcases.

Wiesbaden Market and some hot gluhwein

Frankfurt Christmas Market

Good friends enjoying a local market

Prague Christmas Market

One of my favorite treasures: Riquwihr, France

A local peering out over the market in the Alsace Region

Strausburg, France

Speaking of suitcases....living here for a year I have had the honor of many visitors (I am so thankful)...and with visitors come suitcases packed to the brim bearing good old American treats.  I'm fairly certain that the TSA doesn't even bother to look through the bags anymore.....can you really make something crazy from fruit-rollups or pop-tarts?  We celebrate when things arrive from the U.S. - they all sit out on the counter in the kitchen. We admire them (and all their additives) before devouring them in a week or two.....who knew that stove top stuffing would taste so much better in Germany.....but what a treat!   You really do miss things.....not only foods....but things like XM radio - you are hard pressed to find many Christmas songs played on the radio.  Starbucks drive-thrus - and not to mention Germany doesn't have peppermint mochas....I found them in London and Prague...but not Germany!  Oh well....I'm adjusting and found a new favorite...white mochas!
Amazon.de has become bookmarked on my computer these days.....and I've improved a bit with my German so not quite as much frustration as last year when I was trying to navigate the site to find a crockpot.....thank you to my very resourceful sister-in-law who had it delivered right to my doorstep. On a weekly basis we receive things in the mail from the German authorities....we have figured out how to translate the speeding tickets.....and parking fines....but some other things we do our best to translate using our other frequently visited bookmarked site: Google Translate.....but most make their way to Tim's Admin......we are ever so appreciative!

It's a blue day!

Not our bins...ours are always overflowing

We have developed this little system....actually I should say a big system of recyling in Germany.  Germans have rules...and garbage is no exception.  Last year when I moved in, my relocation specialist gave me a copy of an Abgallkalender.  I remember looking at it and not understanding a word...but could figure out the color codes.  I have 3 different colored bins in my driveway.....and yellow sacks as well....certain things go in certain bins....and I think 525,600 minutes later I may have this system down.  Paper gets picked up once a month...so that is a challenge and usually is overflowing.  Most of my neighbors set out 1 gelb (yellow) sack every other week....but the Schmidt family continues to lead the 'weg' with at least 3 or more at a time.  I can't tell you how many times I've walked to the local Rathaus (city hall) requesting more yellow bags....I'm sure I'm on a 'wanted' list somewhere in town.  It has become a part of our breakfast ritual...."kids, what color is today"......."oh, it's a black day" so I roll my black can to the base of the driveway...which if you knew me in Connecticut was about 1/2 mile....and here it's about 10 steps!  I am proud to call myself a diligent recycler.....my good friends in the U.S. would be so proud!  I will have to snap a picture one day of the bins as they line the 'weg'.  The only ones that are overflowing are "Schmidt - party of 5".  We have acquainted ourselves with the local dump....and every Saturday we make our way to get rid of our rubbish (love that word) and sometimes they don't even charge us the 2 euro.....we are certainly known at the dump!  I think I may just bake them some Christmas cookies to show our appreciation!  If it weren't for that weekly trip to the dump....we would have our garage filled with rubbish....yuck!
I have also figured out the bottle recyling system....it's just part of my routine.  Every time I have a visitor and 'they shadow me for a day' it usually includes a little walk to the spot where I throw my wine bottles....and we seem to have quite a few of those floating around.  I do abide by those good old German rules....can't throw them in during quiet hours....and don't take them on Sunday (it's quiet all day on Sunday)...but I got it down.  I also love the getranke mart (drink mart)....I just load the back of my car with the used bottles.....head to the local mart...they load, unload - it's one thing that I consider easy here in Germany.

Now that I can reflect on the last year....I have definitely figured some things out.  I have a long ways to go....but it's getting easier.  One thing that is always easy....having visitors!  We absolutely love our company!  I have been blessed with many this year...and look forward to many more.  Having my mom and dad visit was certainly a highlight....now as we talk on the phone they can picture exactly where I am...or what I'm doing.  My in-laws have made three trips to Germany in the year....and we are so lucky that they are willing to travel the distance to see us.  Several good friends from the U.S. visited this year....and just to have them live a little Germany with me; I'll forever treasure.

Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad in Eltville, Germany

A family affair...watching the Packers on the good old slingbox

Our first visitors......we love you Schmidt family and can't wait for Italy

Laura and I in Rudesheim, Germany

Chairlift over the Riesling Vineyards

Cheryl and I taking on France

The two grandpas! (Happy to be watching the Packers all the way in Germany)

Bon Apetit!

What a treat to have Colleen with us!

Brendan and Colleen visiting Kronberg, Germany

The kids have done a fantastic job with the transition and have grown in so many ways.  They are more accepting of cultural differences....and have experienced things that have allowed them out of their box.  They have friends from places I've never heard of...  As I've said before we are forever changed from this experience.  We are continuing to take advantage of the European holidays...and travel places I never dreamed I'd experience.  We have developed good friendships.  Most are like-minded, so when you really need something - they've all been there...done that....so we have support when we need it.  We've adjusted to our 'new normal' over the last year and look forward to what's to come!  We'll keep you updated!

 

Forever Changed

As I sit here looking out in the garden covered with leaves I think back 11 months and how life has changed.  11 months ago we were visiting Germany with the kids, trying to finalize school and housing issues.  Not realizing how far we will come over the next year.  The anticipation of the unknown.....the anxiety, the excitement, the sadness of leaving family and friends.  My sister told me before I left....."You will be forever changed"....and that is true for all of us. 

We just came back from a trip to London.  Hannah was able to travel with the cross country team and we decided to take the clan to cheer them on.  As we landed in London and walked through the airport, I had one of those Oprah 'aha moments'.  "Mom, they are all talking in English," Caleb said to me.  I could read the signs...no Google Translate App needed!  At that moment I realized just how different it is to live in a country that speaks a different language.  Now I can get by (sometimes) and have 'get better at the language' high on my New Year's Resolution list.  It is truly the one thing I miss the most.  It may sound crazy, but anxiety levels increase when you're lost in translation!  Just being in an English-speaking country - even if just for two days was wonderful!

Forever changed....that is my motto for this entry.  It's hard to really realize on a day to day basis how much we all have changed.....because we have adjusted (for the most part) to our new normal.  I'm still a busy mom of three running this way and that way on a daily basis....I still clean the house...and have to get those darn highlights in my hair every so often....so that hasn't changed....but so much in my day to day life has!  It has been fun for our family to have visitors (we are truly blessed) and for them to experience a day in the life of 'me'.  They have been able to see just how frustrating some days can be...not being efficient - or they can be with me as I back into a parked car....and see a local lady walking by making sure that I'm compliant and write everything down.....  There doesn't seem to be a week that goes by without some local giving me a look of disgust....and I'm still puzzled why some Germans walk by our house and glance - no actually I will say stare at something....now granted it could be the basketball hoop or soccer goal in the yard....or maybe they just simply marvel at how the heck we get in and out of our steep driveway each day.....but it always puzzles me what they're so interested in.  I have several German friends and I enjoy talking with them about the differences...they are fascinating people...and I've learned that most German homes have a wall of books.....they love reading and learning.  I do find most German tend to be rule followers....the crosswalk can be clear for miles and not a car in site...but they will wait for the little red man to turn green, and then cross the street.  Most Germans don't acknowledge you as you walk past them....why - who knows - it's just their culture.  If I was paid a euro for every time I said that, I'd be a rich, rich woman.  They do greet you every time you walk into a waiting room in the doctor's office...it's the craziest thing.  The other day I walked into the office and was greeted by all 4 people in the waiting room....and then the funniest was when the receptionist called ' Frau Schmidt bitte'...of course I got up and along with two others in the waiting room....yes - there were three Schmidt's in the waiting room - I am definitely among my peeps! 

There are a lot of gray days in Germany and when the sun peeks through the Taunus Hills...watch out dispositions change.....You might actually get a glance as you meet someone in the street.  Sun is always good for the soul no matter where you are in the world.  I even saw a couple of people laughing out loud (really loud) at a little cafe the other day....and that rarely happens.  I find most people to be reserved and quiet...not loud and boisterous.....Noah always tells me he loves the peacefulness of Germany.

One of our biggest dilemmas that seems to occur quite often is the banking process......everything is online - when you book a vacation you transfer money from your account right into another persons....it's the craziest thing - we never see a bill.  The hardest part of the banking system is our EC card (debit card) - there are very few places in Germany that take credit cards - so we pay cash for everything - it's quite refreshing - but not so refreshing when your EC card doesn't work and you have a carriage full of groceries....and the attendant says, "sorry your card is empty"......oh no, no, no it's not empty...it just doesn't work all the time!  It's the craziest thing....you can only withdraw so much at a time...and when you exceed it - they freeze your card.....or better yet - when you try to cash an American check......I won't even go there!  Although there is something to be said for paying with cash - you just always have to remember to have it with you! (Haven't mastered that one yet)

One funny thing I've noticed about Germany is their obsession with hanging their coats on a coat rack or hook the minute they enter a restaurant.  Now maybe I shouldn't refer to it as an obsession that is a bit harsh...but they do like to hang their coats.  It's some sort of strange radar.....they find those hooks and they'll pile them one on top of the other...now it bothers me a bit as there does seem to be a lot of talk about lice......so I'm not loving the whole coat hook thing.  Tim and I were at a lovely restaurant a few weekends back.  It was perfect....no kids, no schedule...a bottle of wine and a great window seat in the corner of the restaurant.....but with a window seat comes coat hooks....and several of them.....we were actually howling at the end..as the coats were piled so high on top of each other that our little cozy table was becoming a bit claustrophobic.....It's just their culture and we'll embrace it! 

One thing you quickly learn living in Germany is how important spa days are to them.....we live in a part of Germany that has wonderful clean, fresh air....and many spas.  The spas are interesting...and we have found some to be totally swimsuit free - shall we say!  Now as an American.....wow that's not in our culture.  Tim and I recently were away and decided to let our American inhibitions go....and go for it!  Let's just say  - interesting and leave it at that.  It actually was wonderful....no one even notices and quite frankly it was kind of empowering!  It is funny at the pool....I've heard that they don't like leaving their swimsuits on after they swim is 'unhygienic' so they just take them off right there on the side of the pool and either put a dry one on.....or head to the locker room  - and you can't really get away from it there either - there's no separate boys and girls....men's and women's.  Oh well, when in Germany and heck there's probably a much lower incident of those darn infections you get from staying in your suit all day.

One thing I just can't get used to is not having air circulating in restaurants and stores......I now know why Europeans have somewhat of a reputation around smelling......everywhere you go it's stuffy! I can attest to the fact that German secret deodorant really doesn't work as well....it's missing something....so we always have that on the list when Tim travels to the U.S.  My good friend from the U.S. was here recently and we were dining in a restaurant in France.  It was quite a lovely evening....windows could be opened a crack and air would circulate a bit.  As we walked into the darling restaurant we could feel the air thicker and thicker as we got closer to our table.......'Voila' here is your table for the evening.....big score - right next to a window.  Men were in layers......sport coats, turtlenecks...women in cashmere - how could they stand it?  My friend and I looked at each other and figured opening the window a crack wouldn't be a big deal.....actually people might really love us for it - fresh air!  With that...we turned the latch and the lead paint cracked because clearly the window hadn't been opened in years....maybe ever.  The window swung open and we quickly tried to keep it open with something - just keeping it open a crack.  Well - the looks, the stares, the women bundling themselves up with scarves pretty much sent a message that we needed to keep it closed....so the stuffy - no air -circulating places get a big old.....so being forever-changed....no I still love my AC in the summer, my bedroom window cracked at night and a little air circulating from time to time.  I do have to admit that when I was back in U.S. over the summer I did actually freeze in one store the air was cranking so much....so maybe I'll get used to it over time.  

 We are gearing up for our first Thanksgiving in Germany....and it's not too easy finding a turkey and I just don't think schnitzel is going to cut it.  We are delighted to share our American tradition with some International friends....and they just can't wait for the canned pumpkin pie (had that sent to me from the U.S.)  Actually it's been quite interesting for the kids and all the different traditions they are being exposed to.....it's fantastic!  This experience has opened their eyes to a whole new world.....to people from places we couldn't even find on a map.  It's been amazing.

I continue to have my days where I really miss home....the 6 or 7 hour time difference is hard.  When I just want to pick up the phone and it's 2am in the states.  I miss my peppermint mochas at Starbucks..which I traditionally begin to order at Thanksgiving!  They have Starbucks here....but not peppermint mochas (I had a few in London which was a treat).  I do continue to laugh and cry......and explore new things.  Our family has truly become a unit....even with Tim's crazy travel and the kids busy schedules...there is something about this experience that has forever changed our family.  We rely on each other.....we pick each other up.....and our dinners out have become much longer.....and we are enjoying asking for the check when we want it....even if that's two hours later.....we are enjoying the time together. Even with all the cultural differences...we find the people to be quite accepting....their English is amazing, and we are making friendships that will last a lifetime.  Forever changed....yes....but more importantly truly blessed!