Girls Camp

I dropped Aubrey off in Wiesbaden for her first ever girls camp meeting. When the girls at church turn 12, they are then able to start girls camp. Aubrey has been anxiously waiting for this day for a good while now! :) They are working on camp certifications and gearing up to get things ready for the coming weeks before she's off on her first girls camp experience. Wow!! I'm just having the hardest time wrapping my head around the fact that my oldest is already old enough to be a 1st year! I hope she has so much fun...hiking, camping, learning and singing camp songs, making crafts, meeting and making friends, swimming!!! It doesn't feel that long ago that I myself was attending girls camp! What an amazing experience she's going to have - not only her first year but her first big camping adventure in Germany! She couldn't be more excited! :)

The Frankfurt 10K

{June 3, 2012}

I DID IT!!!! I survived the Frankfurt 10K run! ;) It was intense with the amount of rain we had to run in but thankfully it was still a fun experience! The week leading up to the race, I started to get a bit nervous and apprehensive. Especially since I hadn't been doing a whole lot of running the previous two weeks leading up to the race. The only time I ran in Garmisch was the day after we arrived and the air was much too hard for me to run again at it's higher elevation. It was nice to have a vacation and relax though! And then during the last week before the race, I ran a few 3 milers and that was it. I still figured that if I could run these distances, I could do 6 miles too. It would, without question, be a bit more tiring. (And it was!!!) The day we received our race packets, it felt more real than ever! I knew there was no time to turn around and back out now. It's so hard for me to believe that just 5 months ago, running wasn't even a thought. My how things have changed!!! :)

{Race shirt}

The morning of the race, I got up and randomly checked the weather. It looked questionable outside and I wanted to have an idea of what to prepare for and what to wear with my race shirt. There on the screen it showed that we were facing 100% chance of rain. Lovely! And thunderstorms were predicted right on time: when the race was to begin at 1pm! Go figure! This news did NOT help calm my nerves one bit but I just prepared mentally the best that I could and went along with it. I figured if they felt the need to cancel the race, then that's what would happen. But I wasn't going to make the decision to not go on with the race! This rain was NOT going to stop me! And like John always tells me when I want to go for a run and it's raining, "the rain isn't going to make you melt!" :)

After a hearty breakfast, I had John take a quick picture with me and the children. The very children that have helped me get to this race day to begin with. I owe a lot to these cuties - for Aubrey watching them many times after school so I could get a run in and their never failing support and encouragement! Just love these guys of mine!! We then headed straight over to our friend's house. They were so sweet in watching them for us while John and I ran. I don't know who was more excited to spend the few hours together - them or the kids! :) And if it weren't raining, they would have likely been downtown cheering us on. I have to say, with it raining, my excitement was starting to fade. I was sad that they couldn't be there!

Around 11:30am, John and I met up with a group of us Marines and Marine spouses that had signed up to run the race. We got our running chips strung onto our shoes and this is when the rain began. My first race ever was going to be interesting! I hadn't run in the rain and cold weather really at all, I was a bit sad my children wouldn't be at the finish line waiting for me and cheering me on and I was planning on taking my iPhone to the race with me so I could take photos. John didn't think it was going to be a good idea to do that with the heavy rain. And I knew he was partly right. But being the stubborn person that I am and still insisting on some photos....I found a quick and temporary fix: a ziplock bag! Just shoved the phone inside the bag and viola! Problem fixed! :)

{Off to the train station! Just 5 stops or so and we were there!}

And this pretty much summed up what the path for the race looked like...Rain and slick!

And more rain...

And some MORE rain!!!!

BMW was one of the main sponsors - I love how all the balloons were tied to the bikes.

Me before running my FIRST race ever!

To escape the rain, our group ran inside McDonalds and sat and talked until it was time to head to the starting line. Not only was it pouring down rain but it was getting really cold too. These next few pictures were taken before the race on the way to the port-a-potties and before the rain started to come down really hard. 

Here's the start and finish line. The 10K route started from here, ran through the city to another point, came back here and did another round finishing up here.

The white BMW drove around with the clock time on it. Before we ran, there was a 5K race going on.

SportScheck was the company that oversaw the race - lots of emergency personnel out to keep an eye on all of us runners.

Our group!

Another sponsor for the race: some yummy tomatoes!!! We ate some after the run and they were so so good! (Along with the delicious apples and pretzels. If it hadn't been raining, I would have taken a photo for sure!)

So my nerves were all over the place before the race began. It wasn't really that I was nervous per say...I was just extremely excited for a race I had never run before. Especially six miles I had never run before! We left McDonalds about 20 minutes before the race was to start. Last minute bathroom breaks and getting to the lineup area to stretch and get ready. Oh how I wonder how this day would have been had it NOT been raining! I will say I was a bit concerned with the path we were scheduled to run on. It looked slippery and very wet! I made sure I wasn't standing at the front of the line. I'm not one that wants to hurry and go too fast at the start. They counted down from 10 in German and then we were OFF! Well, 30 seconds later we were actually moving and going somewhere! :) Before the race started, I had stuck my ziplocked phone into the back zipper pocket of my pants - but after running a short distance with it bouncing up and down and being uncomfortable, I ran a bit slower while trying to get it out of my pocket. That was interesting! So I have learned not to put anything heaver than a key or ID card in there ever again! :) 

I had heard before race day how fans cheering for you on the sideline can often times help keep you pumped up and moving - but we didn't have that experience this time. And I don't blame them for not being there! I wouldn't have been either if I wasn't scheduled to run. It was cold and terribly wet! And as the weather had been predicted, it didn't take long after we started the race for the rain to come down in buckets! I am not exaggerating! We were soaked from head to foot! Initially, I was glad I had slipped on a dry-fit shirt under the racing shirt. But I sort of regretted that decision when it was making me extra cold and wet!!! 

Running in that extreme amount of rain was challenging to say the least. I started to shiver, my breathing was not steady as I was breathing harder than normal to compensate for being cold and my feet were drenched with all the puddles I couldn't dodge! I remember John mentioning to me that his feet were squishing around in his shoes and I told him that being a true Oregonian, that he should be used to that sort of thing! Hahaha

When I signed up for this race, I also signed up John to run it with me. I of course had his full permission and consent in doing so but being a newbie in running, I felt better knowing he'd be there to run it with me. I mentioned to him that running the race with me didn't mean he actually had to RUN the race WITH me. But he insisted on running the race at my pace and by my side every step of the way! I felt happy and sad at the same time. Happy he wanted to be with me and encourage me and sad that he wouldn't be running it at his own and much faster pace! So with that said, I gave him many chances to change his mind if he really wanted to run ahead...that I really would have been fine. But he stuck by me the entire way! xo

Running with my phone in hand and not in my pocket made things go so much easier. (Especially when John ran with it!) I didn't have music to listen to which I normally do while running but I at least had John to talk to. And thankfully, I had a piece of gum to chew (thanks, Christi)! :) Things were going well and I was running past people at a comfortable speed. I think with it raining, I was actually running a little faster. Maybe to get done quicker? Maybe because I wasn't getting as warm? I honestly don't know. From time to time, John would ask me how I was doing. So sweet of him, I know. But after he kept asking and talking about the race, I had to ask him to change the subject so I could focus on something more pleasant. I don't think I hydrated myself very well before hand and was starting to get a side cramp. I was a little edgy but I kept quiet and made small talk. When we were close to the point of making our first turn to head back, John said, "I don't think it's raining hard enough, do you?" And not too much after he said that, it began to come down even HARDER! How that's even possible, I do not know! 

When we reached our halfway mark, I was starting to lose my energy. I was running still at a good pace and making good time according to how I felt and from what my watch was showing. My watch that didn't work the minute the race began because it didn't find a satellite in time. Thank goodness my running chip detected my overall time! :) Volunteers were holding out water cups and a half of a granola bar. I grabbed both. Drank the water quickly and disposed of the cup. And then tried eating the granola bar. I had gum and because of the rain, it wasn't staying in my hand and I didn't want to liter so I swallowed it. Yeah. I know. Gross. It reminded me why I don't do that. But eating that granola bar wasn't worth losing my piece of gym, let me tell you! And do you realize how hard it is to chew and run at the same time? Boy, that was another interesting experience. I ended up choking on my one bite of the granola bar. I didn't care at this point...I threw the bar on the ground over to the side so no one would trip on it. And it was then that I realized I had another 3 miles, while coughing and choking, without gum! 

John asked me if I was okay. I told him, "yes, I'm just choking!" And he laughed and said, "it's hard to run and eat at the same time, isn't it!" No sooner he took a bite of his own granola bar and started to choke as well. He now knew what he was talking about and we both chuckled as we ran. 

As I said, I hadn't prepared for this race as much as I would have liked. As I started running the second lap around, I let doubt creep in. I was starting to get fatigued and I began wondering "why on Earth did I sign up for this thing???" Tears started to fall down my cheeks but I was trying to fight them back. My breathing started to go out of whack as I was trying to hold back the tears AND the coldness from the rain was making me hyperventilate a little bit. My teeth were chattering and I was shivering from the rain. John noticed that I was starting to struggle with the run and coached me into focusing on my breathing and getting it balanced again. So I focused on that and then laughed about crying and being ridiculous - but part of laughing was because nobody could see that I was crying with all of the rain that was going on. John then said, "and nobody can see the snot running down my face!" Ha!!! Guess the rain had it's advantages! :)

We were heading back towards the finish line when I told John that I needed to slow down a little or....And he said, "or....what?" And I said, "stop!" He said, "stop, what?" And I said, "no....the word STOP!! I will STOP if we don't slow down!" So he started chanting, "Go Go Go!!!" And I said, "stop!" We both laughed. It was good he was keeping up the jokes and making me laugh so I could take my mind off the run for the time being. We then heard loud music up ahead so I knew the finish line was getting closer! I started running a little faster again knowing that the run was almost done and that really carried me to the finish line. And then we did it...moments later, we crossed the finish line and were greeted by our friends from our group!!! I was so happy I about cried again! :) Especially when I saw our time. I ran without having a goal other than to finish. Maybe deep down, my goal was also to finish before an hour. So I was really pleased with how I did. John crossed the finish line 1 second sooner than me....here's our stats:

Leslie

Placed: #81/305 women

#14 of age group/ W30

Time: 53:10 

(About 8 1/2 minute mile)

John

Placed: #424/603 men

#58 of age group/ M30

Time: 53:09

We made it!!!

I had such mixed emotions after crossing the finish line. 

Relief.

Happiness.
Emotional.

I completed a goal I set out to achieve! What a feeling that is! :)

At this moment, I'm not sure I'll sign up to run another race but I may consider it at one point so I can continue making running fun and something exciting! And to help a cause.

After greeted by friends and warm hugs and high fives, we immediately walked over and got in line for some drinks and food. And they didn't disappoint! While holding my phone, I had room to grab a water, a few cherry tomatoes and a pretzel. John grabbed, well, I actually lost count. 5 apples (1 he gave me and it was the best tasting apple I've ever had!), maybe 5 pretzels, a few waters....yeah, he was feeling pretty blah after that! :)

{Me + Christi! We rock!! - she finished #10 of our age group (4 before me)}

{Friends!}

{All of the guys}

{All of the ladies}

I'm so happy we did this! A few from our group were getting ready to move back to the States so it was one of our last fun times out together. So....we shall see what's next! I can already tell you I will never run a marathon. But a 1/2 marathon is doable. Anything less than a 1/2 will be fine by me! Today I'm not considering anything. But tomorrow's a new day so who knows! I really never thought I'd ever see the day that I would run. And enjoy it nonetheless! But I'm glad I started it at 32. I probably would have done really well starting in my 20's but averaging 8.5 minute miles right now is pretty good in my book! Running is definitely still happening though - race or no race! :)

Getting There

Confession: I used to not feel comfortable in my own skin. I didn't like how clothes fit me, how I looked in them and being in pictures. And I believe I have felt this way since Aubrey was a few years old - pretty much for the past 10 years!! I was working full time, taking college courses at night, super stressed out trying to make ends meet and eating out pretty much every day and not incorporating much physical activity to the mix. I know life was busy then and I made excuses that I was TOO busy to take care of myself. Life IS busy now too! Even more so with three added children! I have found since starting up regular exercise in January, that I'm watching what I'm eating and making better choices (it helps that we basically don't eat fast food anymore!), drinking more water, craving to get outside any chance I get, getting the kids out so they too can exercise, not snacking after dinner, eating smaller more frequent meals, watching portion control, sleeping better and longer. I'm still not close to being perfect at it though. It has been anything but easy. (Especially after hurting my right ankle and was out of running commission for a good few weeks.) I have to schedule in my workouts or they don't get done. And I find myself more often than not, wanting to exercise!! At first, this was a bit shocking to me. But I love it now! I'm even finding that I want to do things I never did before. Riding bikes, swimming, playing tennis, RUNNING!!! All because I'm more comfortable with how I feel and my increase in energy.

{John + I: Christmas 2005}

Over the last 5 months, I have slowly built more self-confidence and feel better in my own skin. Sure, I'm not all the way where I want to be, but I'm celebrating how far I've gotten up to this point. It hasn't been easy! In the beginning, I was getting up at 5am to workout. With a baby and kids getting sick off and on...I changed my workouts to mid-day while Landon was napping or in the evening after the kids went to bed. Sometimes you've got to switch things around to make it work. Even then, some days are better than others - just like life in general. If I have a day I can't get leave the house and exercise (like if John is out of town or not able to be home), I do a workout DVD or exercises from "Skinny Ms. Fitness" online. And I should also mention that on the days I'm sick (which have been few since the beginning of the year) or I'm feeling off, I listen to my body and lay low for a day or two.

A few months ago, my friend and I even started walking 4 days a week after our husbands got home from work - which added up to 10 miles of walking per week. She's moving soon so I'm now walking alone and sometimes even pushing the boys in the double stroller to get it done! And running on top of that is another 10-15 miles. A total of 20-25 miles a week of walking and running as well as weight training and eating more healthy has gotten me to where I am currently and I'm still going strong! I have more energy to get things done throughout the day and I'm able to do more things with my children. It's beyond exciting!! I love it! :)

{Aubrey + I: Preschool graduation June 2005}

Back in 2005, I had my yearly health physical. The blood tests came back unusually high in the cholesterol department. I had then learned that it runs in the family. Before 2005, it was in the normal range. Now, we're talking the numbers were at 310 total cholesterol. Super high! They encouraged me to get on medication pronto! But I was hesitant. John and I were trying to get pregnant and I had done enough research on statin drugs to know that I didn't want to be on them during the child-bearing years. In other words, I was also being stubborn. And I have resisted taking them ever since. I had another test performed about 6 months after Andrew was born. Still high. And the fill in doctor (not my normal physician) tried scarring me into getting on them. Saying if I didn't take the medication, I'd be leaving my children at a young age without a mother. I felt that was totally wrong of them to try and scare me into it and being quite harsh about it. I also realized that it's easier (and necessary) for people to take these drugs instead of changing their lifestyle. Even changing your lifestyle won't guarantee lowering the numbers so I tried eating better. On again off again exercise. Fish oil capsules (which I still take). Still the numbers didn't get better. Then, last month at my yearly physical, I had my blood drawn to check my cholesterol again. They called me the next day and left a message. I thought for sure that meant they were too high and a push for drugs was coming my way again. I was nervous to find out! I called them back and they said the numbers were a bit high. The total cholesterol count came to 209. They're supposed to be under 200. WOOHOO!!! I got SO excited! I know still a tiny bit high but I've knocked down 100 points since eating better and exercising for the past 5 months! I probably shouldn't mention this, but I was so excited, I celebrated by eating some m&m's. Haha Hey....it HAD peanut butter in it! :) Even with knowing the numbers improved, I know that this is going to be something I'm going to have to work hard at maintaining and controlling for the rest of my life. I know not everyone is made up the same either but I strongly feel that if I can do it, anyone can!

BEFORE: I just had Landon 4 months before moving to Germany weighing in at 121 lbs. So I was still losing baby weight from my pregnancy when we got here. I know I wasn't huge but I felt bigger than I wanted to be. Pre-pregnancy weight since Jocelyn has been somewhere around 115 lbs. But for the first time in a LONG time, I wanted to get physically in shape for me! No one else could motivate me enough to do so. One day, the light switch came on and it's been on since! When we moved here, I was wearing size 8 pants. At the time I started exercising, I was wearing a size 6 and pre-pregnancy clothes were still a bit tight.

AFTER: Five months after moving to Germany, in January 2012...I started to exercise 5 times a week. The first few months were extremely hard and I gave myself monthly goals and rewards to look forward to and to keep me moving. I only allowed myself to do weekly weigh-ins on each Saturday. I honestly focused more on how I felt than the actual numbers on the scale. By March, I was seeing results. By April, others were noticing. I feel so much happier and better about myself! I am now down to 107 lbs! That's a total of almost 15 lbs! I'm now wearing a size 4. I again don't care too much about the number and more so on how I feel. But I will say that I was pretty shocked when I ordered some shorts for the summer in size 4 and they were TOO BIG! I had to exchange them for a size 2. Never thought this was possible. As I mentioned, I haven't been this size and physically fit in a decade! Of course I had a lot of attempts from then until now but nothing consistent. I didn't have any confidence that my body would change. I didn't have any experience seeing that it would! So by blind faith, I kept working hard at it and little by little, the changes happened! I owe much of my success so far to my husband who started supporting me years and years ago and never gave up giving me encouragement and for the here and now; all the countless 30-60 minutes that I needed to get a workout in. I also have the Couch to 5K program to thank and I highly recommend it to anyone looking into starting to run. But I also give credit to my success to all those that have supported me - my parents, siblings, friends and extended family! Thank you!!! :) And for all those that want to make health changes in their own lives, know that I believe in you! Sometimes all you can do is take it one day at a time and giving it your all! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

I'm excited to see where the next 5 months takes me! In just a few days from now, I'll be running my first 10K run ever! Who would have thought?? I certainly never did!

Flying By

{On our drive to Wurzburg}

It dawned on me the other day how fast this past year has flown by so quickly; we're almost at our year mark living here in Germany and I'm becoming a little sad. Moving here, I cried when we left family and friends and the known as we went into the unknown. Slowly, day by day, things got better. I was very homesick but not because it's horrible here! It's quite the opposite actually! But it still isn't home so of course family and friends were (and are) missed. But as John and I were driving to Wurzburg on Sunday for Mother's Day, we were discussing how it has felt like we've only blinked and an almost year has flashed before us. How our 2 years left here is going to go by just as fast, especially while we try to cram in as much as we can see and do before we have to move back to the States. And I think talking about it all, made me sad! Just as I cried when moving here, I know without a doubt that I will cry when we move back home. Germany is a beautiful country; I'm enjoying taking it all in and seeing as much as I can. Knowing that this is a once in a lifetime experience makes it all the more reason to appreciate this opportunity! If I don't happen to see anymore than we already have, I won't be too heartbroken though; I have seen more than I ever thought or dreamed that I would!

{On our drive to Wurzburg}

In other news, I am just one busy mama around here with my four young-ins. I love being the mother to my little ones - they make me laugh, they make me cry, they make me want to pull my hair out, they make me happy. But most importantly, they make me proud to be their mother and I would never want it any other way! I'll take the good and the bad if only I can see their smiles, hold their hands, watch them peacefully sleep, hear them as they learn to read, see them enjoy the food I make them...the list goes on! It's all worth it to me.

Lately, we are busy....

*getting ready for our summer plans

*spring cleaning and organizing

*meal planning

*with a sometimes cranky and demanding baby

*running and walking 20-25 miles a week. Frankfurt 10K is in less than 3 weeks!!!!

*packing and planning for our trip this next week to Garmisch - relaxation HERE WE COME!

*reading lots and lots of books - everyone has one they are reading. John: The Crisis of Islam, Leslie: The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks (my favorite author, however, not my favorite read!), Aubrey: Catching Fire (book #2 from Hunger Games series), Jocelyn: The Princess and the Frog, Andrew: Curious George, Landon: Blue Hat Green Hat - okay, so we're reading to the boys but didn't want to leave them out! :)

*catching up on laundry (it never ends!)

*craving to get the grill out and bbq!

*going to the playground just about any chance we get

*on the last days of the school year...we have a count down!! Aubrey: 19 days, Jocelyn: 14 days

*starting new chore lists - we'll see if this one will work better! one can only hope!

*at work! Well, for John that is! Lots of late night hours at the office

*enjoying a break in-between semesters (again, this is for John! But it's enjoyed by all that he's not wrapped up in studies at the moment!)

*catching up on blogging

*watching a little one toddle all around the house getting into everything! - and loving it

*wishing we could ditch our home in Virginia (yeah, we'll be wishing that one for a long time to come!)

*enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather

*dreaming about John + I's vacation to Greece! THIS is getting me through the difficult and long days. Even though I'm nervous leaving my two little boys for a week who are still attached to their mama (the girls I know will be okay)....I'm super ready for some time off!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be prepared to see a lot more older posts in the coming weeks. I'm trying to catch up on events I do not want to forget. Like our trip to Oregon last summer, family vacation to Virginia Beach, our time with friends before moving to Germany, our Christmas with my brother and his family. You know...a long time ago stuff! :)

Exciting Things Ahead...

We have some very exciting trips and events coming up! We have soooo much to see too! Another two years here doesn't seem very long and I have a hunch that it's going to fly by faster than we'd like or expect it to so we are having fun squeezing in as much as we humanly can - with an appropriate amount of down time throughout of course. I am beyond ready for summer break to be here so we can have some fun! :) And in some ways, I feel that this summer is jammed packed with so much excitement, that summer seems over before it has even begun! It'll be fun though and I'm pretty certain we'll be plenty busy making a lot of fun memories!

{Andrew - Spring 2012}

In May, John and the other guys from his region are going to be away for a few days exploring Belleau Wood in France. He'll enjoy it, I'm sure! Someday, I look forward to us taking the kids to see this before we move. Such a neat memorial of fallen Marines. I'll be playing single mother for these few days, but nothing I haven't ever had to do before. I'm glad he has this opportunity to go. We'll be busy filling our time with a movie nights and games on the Wii and trips to the park. Maybe even some bike rides around the neighborhood.

Later this month, we'll be attending a week long trip with John and his region to Garmisch. If you go to THIS website for Edelweiss, you'll see a video at the bottom that shows the lodge and area. While he attends meetings during the day, I'll be entertaining the kids at the pool, exploring the area and local town and hiking around the Alps. We love nature so I have a feeling this is going to be fun! I'll probably hear a lot of complaining about a lot of walking around but I can deal with that! :) We went here for a few days back in October for our Anniversary so I'm super thrilled to be going back to spend some time outdoors with the wonderful spring weather! We have family events to look forward to in the evenings. We also extended our stay through the weekend after John is done with his meetings. We haven't mapped out what we're going to do yet but I think we are going to try to see some local things like the Salt Mines and Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Salzburg.

In June, the 3rd to be exact, John and I are running in the Frankfurt 10K. I'm pretty excited and nervous. Just a few more weeks of training! :)

After the kids get out of school, we are going down to Slovenia for about a week to visit with some friends of ours we met a few months ago. John met him from work and his family came and stayed with us one night while in route back to the States. They have three very cute kids. It's going to be a blast and I can not wait!! (I also get a new running buddy for a week and some girl time! :))

In July, Aubrey will be going to Young Women (church) camp for 4 days. We don't know the details yet, but she's very much looking forwarded to her first year at camp! Most of the girls from our Stake are German speaking but most also know English so I'm sure Aubrey will have a great time. I KNOW she will!! And if it gives her the chance to learn some German, even better!

One of my best friends, Sabine, that I met while living in Virginia, is from Germany and is flying out here to visit her family. LUCKY US!!!! :) I can't wait to see her again! It will mark one year since I last saw her! How much I miss my Virginina friends and wish to see them all again! Hopefully one day! (It goes without saying, I miss my Oregon friends and family too!)

It's not yet confirmed, but another one of my best friends, Ally, might be coming out here with her husband to visit. I haven't seen her since Aubrey was ONE and since the time we were all living in Pensacola, Florida. Whenever they make it out this way, it will be a great and long overdue reunion!! :)

Ah! August! A month I've been waiting impatiently for! :) We are flying out our family friend, Megan (who happens to also be the daughter of another one of my best friends) to come stay with the kids while John and I finally have the chance to go on our own vacation...alone...to GREECE!!!!! A WHOLE WEEK! It's a dream come true and still seems so unreal to me. It probably won't feel real until we get there! As I've mentioned before, it's part of my reward to keeping my 6 month long commitment to exercise. But it's also because John and I never went on a honeymoon or have even gone on a trip alone together, for that matter. Can you believe that!?!? Quite frankly, we desperately need the break! With me home taking care of our children and in between John's full-to-the-brim job all the while taking his Masters...the vacation is not only long overdue but highly welcomed for the both of us! Megan will also be staying for another week so we can all spend some time together and show her around Germany and whatever else our hearts and time desires to go see! We are really looking forward to having her here and are so grateful for her! She's one of the few people we trust watching our precious little ones!

August also welcomes the beginning of another school year. One which Aubrey AND Jocelyn will be enjoying. It probably won't take long going into June before we, as parents, are anticipating this moment. But maybe not! I have a feeling that NONE of us are going to be bored this summer! :)

Hello, Sunshine!

{Field in Wiesbaden - April 2012}

I love starting my day off by getting all the way ready before the kids open their eyes...a cool breeze coming through the windows....and a beautiful sunshiney day! I may still be tired - which may or may not be because I stayed up later than I wanted with a good book in hand. But it's one of the little things I've been focusing on lately. I feel that, for the longest time, I blog about the BIG things that go on in our lives - and not the little things which I think are just as equally important! I feel that there is just not enough time in a day to document everything the kids do or all of the many thoughts that run through my head as I'm multitasking this or that. I try to live in the moment the best I can! To enjoy life with John and the kids. But sometimes I feel frustrated that the little moments rush by and I'm afraid that I'm going to forget them. I try with all my might to take a mental photo (or in many cases, an actual one), to take in the moment and all it's senses. But then I feel that the memory gets lost and caught up in day to day life. I don't want to forget my five toothed one year old and the sounds he makes, watching him walk across the floor with more steps with each passing day - to see him scrunch up his nose and smile at me with his big bluish gray eyes. How vibrant the fields are with the yellow wildflowers right now while driving on the autobahn. How they remind me of sunshine and the few seconds of happiness it brings me while tuning out the screaming or crying that's going on behind me in the back seats. The sound of the wind coming through the cracked window while I drive on a nice day or watching the curtains in the house sway when the wind rushes in. Helping one child read a story while one yells that they need assistance in the bathroom. Hearing Andrew make gun noises just about every second of the day (pew, pew, pew!) - a true boy, right? Stopping one fire while another one breaks loose not even a second later. Getting Landon away (and sometimes out) of the garbage can. Enlisting the kids in help with the housework...I put on some music and they dance and clean. Catching a beautiful sunset out the kitchen window as I clean up before calling it a day. I swear I feel like a ping pong ball on most days! Sneaking in loads of laundry or doing the dishes while I have a baby sleeping. Life just seems to get so busy but I'm grateful that I notice these little and big experiences! For the moments that help me slow down and remember what's most important: happy children, and not a clean home!

Preschool in Germany

We received an email last week from the elementary school with good news! A little late into the school year, but still good news: Jocelyn was accepted into their preschool program! We signed her up last July before we moved here but she was placed on a wait list as the Army has first pick, kids in need also have first pick and they also go by rank. With John being an E6 at the time of sign-up, our chances of getting her in were slim to none. But we felt okay with that. She's a smart girl and I was determined to do things at home with her instead. (Especially when we also learned that she had to wait another year to go to Kindergarten because she turned five 2 weeks after the cut-off date. Hearing the news that she'd be going to school sooner than I had prepared or expected, the more I knew that this would be a better transition to her starting up Kindergarten in the Fall by starting the bus routine now. After John and I talked about her going to preschool with only 5 or so weeks left of the school year, we went and talked to Jocelyn about it. I told her about the preschool and she said no, that she didn't want to go. John suggested that she might change her mind if we throw in getting a new backpack and he was right! She was all about it as long as she got a new bag. :) She's so cute and such a typical little girl!

It's a long commute for a young child. About 45 minutes to an hour ONE WAY! It was a really hard thing for me to say yes too. The long commute alone scared me. Thankfully the guy at the bus yard knew the bus driver and said she was really good and that they've had the same bus service out here for the past 25 years with no problems.

So last Wednesday, I piled the kids into the car and we had a visit to see the school's registar. It's also that time of year for school registration for next school year. So I sat at a table and filled out preschool paperwork for this year along side with a pile of paperwork for next year. It felt long and tedious but the kids sat and colored and ate a snack and were generally good. I also promised them that if they were good, I would take them to lunch afterwards. A little bribery isn't so bad, right? :)

 As promised, we went to lunch. The kids have found a new love to Popeyes macaroni and cheese. It's a rare treat - and it's no Chickfila but they enjoy it almost just as much! These two are just the cutest little buddies!!

 Before I took the kids to get their teeth cleaned last Thursday, we dropped in to have a little visit with Jocelyn's new class. She met with her teacher and classmates. They were ALL so excited to see and welcome her! Jocelyn really enjoyed being there too which gave me great comfort. The teacher and her assistant are super friendly and the classroom is so bright and cheery! It really helped going in there to see where she'd be hanging out away from home all day. 

 Monday was the day!! 

Her first day to preschool here in Germany!

I think she's going to have a hard time not being around her younger brothers all day. They have been fast friends for a few years now. She is super sweet to them and I know they'll miss her too! While we were outside waiting for the bus with her, Andrew said, "I'm not going to cry for you." But I know he will. He's so sweet in trying to stay strong - for her AND himself!

I sure did miss my buddy being gone all day at school! I loved her home with me! She's such a great little helper! This smile though??? I knew we were doing the right thing even though it's been somewhat a hard transition! She's a smart little girl! I know she'll fit right in and do great in school.

 As we were waiting for the bus to arrive, she was beaming ear to ear with excitement! When the bus rolled up, she gave me a quick kiss and hug and off she went! It's true! My little girl is growing up so fast! BOTH of my girls are! Two children are going to school now and two more to go.

 {Jocelyn sporting her new backpack!}

We waved her goodbye and throughout the day, I found myself getting a little teary eyed. I knew it was a good thing for us both but it was still a hard decision nonetheless! And throughout the day, I also found myself calling her name and realizing over and over again that she wasn't at home. :( 

 Before Jocelyn returned from school, Andrew and I thought it would be nice to have a treat waiting and ready. Today's pick was GUMMY BEARS! One of the kids favorites! She gave Andrew a huge hug and they walked like this back to the house. They are too cute for words!

 Mommy's little girl!

Her first day at school here was a success and she had a great time! She was one tired girl though! And the past few days, she whined in the mornings that she didn't want to go because she was too tired. The long schedule at school was still so new for her. I find a solution that worked. We would do an activity of her choice as soon as she returned home. Something she would look forward to doing like watching a movie or painting. Her teacher wrote me on her first day and said how amazing she did, how she met some new friends and joined in all the activities and was super smart! How happy they are to have her! Today she stayed home from school with the sniffles and a sore throat. The joys of being exposed to new germs! Here's to the next 5 weeks! :)