Special visit

On Saturday morning we got ready and headed up to MN for our welcome back BBQ.  We left early so I could spend some time with my cousin before the BBQ got started.  The entire family didn't show up, but there was a nice crowd...

In attendence:

Hostess, my cousin Heather and her husband Dustin (they also had Heather's brother's son, Walker)

Co-hostess, my Aunt Donna and her husband Doug

Grandpa and Nina

Uncle Ronny

Uncle David and Aunt Laura

Aunt Diann (Turpy) with her husband Gregg

My brother Shane, his wife Lindsay and 2 kids, Caleb (5) and Brenna (3)

My cousin Tony, his wife Danielle and baby Ellie (1)

My cousin Elise with her baby, Eden (1) and her sister's baby, Carter (1)

Everyone had a great time catching up and it was great seeing the kids play with their cousins.  I missed ALL the family that didn't show up, but there will be plenty more opportunities for everyone to get together now that we are SO close.

It was a cold day, but luckily my cousin brought some extra warm clothes for her daughter and nephew.  She let my kids borrow sleeves so they could stay warm outside!

I didn't do so good at taking pictures, but I got a few, mostly of the kids playing with their cousins.

playing with chalk

these chairs were huge hits

catching up

My cousin had an Air Force welcome home cake for us!

This was Xander's favorite activity, making a tent from the lawn chair

All the cousins that were there

With my Grandpa

kids sitting on Walker.  They loved him!

exhausted on the way home from such a fun day

It was a fun day and I loved seeing everyone that came!

Next week we get some special visitors at our house.  My older sister and her family are coming and my younger brother and his family are coming.

Have a great day!

We made it!

We are now in our new home in Nebraska.  We had an extremely early morning Thursday to get ready, catch a shuttle, drive an hour to the airport, check-in for flight and make our way to wait for take off.  We woke up at 0245 and flight took off at 0810.  The start to our long day!  The flights weren't terrible at 9 1/2 hours + 1 hour 15 minute.  The kids weren't terrible.  Xander was whiny and Sterling was demanding.  We had a long lay over in Chicago before boarding our short flight to Nebraska.  We found the kids fly zone play area and let them play for almost 2 hours.  They LOVED it!  We grabbed a meal at an Italian restaurant before boarding.  It was alright.  Too pricey for the quality of food.  But then, that's airport food for ya!  Our last flight Sterling ended up getting sick.  Just as we touched down she started vomiting everywhere!  I didn't have anything ready of course and so my hands tried catching it.  Nasty!  Finally I was able to kick the diaper bag to Nick to have him get something for me to clean the mess up.  The stewardess decided safety was more important and the bag needed to be stowed under the seat.  Um, do you not see a baby throwing up?!  I could have choked her!  Really.  I guess I didn't see safety a problem since we were already landed.  We got off, met our friends who were helping us lug our crap to the hotel, picked up the rental, and then took a venture to find our dog.  What an adventure!  This place takes the dogs to the other side of the flight line instead of putting them with the special baggage area.  Really, how much more?  We couldn't find it for the life of us, but luckily our friends found it right away and guided us there since the darn United rep couldn't assist.  She was extremely rude!  We landed at 5, found Hawkeye at 7.  Crazy!

We had plans to go back to the hotel and then go pick up my car at the dealership.  But, since Sterling ended up sick and not feeling herself, and we were all shot, we just ended up cleaning up and going to bed.  Not even dinner.  We woke up Friday morning to a yummy hotel breakfast.  Not joking either.  There was biscuits, gravy, ham, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and of course all the normal continental breakfast foods.  After we all got filled up, we got ready to go to our new home.  At first I loved it.  But after sitting around in an empty house I started seeing stuff I didn't like.  I'll have a post dedicated to the house soon.  We'll just say that we're glad we didn't buy it.

Friday and Saturday were spent getting stuff for the house.  It's like we have to start all over.  Hoping our next move will be stateside and much easier on the budget.

Sunday we took a drive to see the area a little.  It was nice.  It was 3 in the afternoon and traffic was not crazy at all!  I think I can get used to this place!  

Today we are expecting our first shipment from Germany.  It should be here in about an hour.  It's our small shipment, but it has a lot of the kitchen stuff.  Which is the important stuff!

We're happy to be in Nebraska!

Have a great day!

Feeling honored

A couple of days ago I had asked my cousin to find out if our grandpa was going to be home on the 27th because I'd like to go up and visit him.  She came back yesterday and asked how I'd feel if they'd throw a BBQ and have what family could come, come.  I'd love it!  We're going to stay with my cousin and she lives on a farm so I'm excited to just let the kids run and explore all things farm.  Xander will be in amazement because he loves big machinery.  My cousin's husband also drives race car so he'll be able to check that out too.  It's going to be a fun weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing family and catching up.

Have a great day!

Itchy kind a day(s)

This morning we had our final inspection on the house.  I was a nervous wreck all night.  I always am, even if there is nothing to worry about.  Just natural I guess?  Nick ran inside while the kids and I stayed in the car.  He said the guy was in awe of the home and was amazed at how clean it was.  I guess some people leave the homes to where they have to do repairs and such.  We do take good care of our places, but I still worry.  Nick said I get an award from the guy, ha!  Best wife for taking care of the home award!  I wish!

Lets talk about this crap hotel for a minute or two.  I could NOT sleep last night.  I think I'm so disgusted with this place that my mind is playing tricks on me.  I kept feeling like there were bugs crawling all over me.  I got up around 0130, turned the lights and TV on to check the bed.  Nick woke up and said, "what are you doing", if only!  Nothing!  What am I feeling?  Maybe the bugs traveled to the inside of my body and is irritating me that way?  Yeah right, I know.  Mind games I tell you!

I really don't think it's anything other than my mind because no one is itching like they are being attacked.  Not even the dog.  So what do I do?  I take a cleansing wipe and wipe the only leather chair in the apartment/hotel/whatever you want to call this place...and make this "my" place.  Is it better?  No!  But just a little bit longer.

Have a great day!

Checking out!

We have had a stressful weekend and busy day today.  Although it was busy, much like we expected, we actually worked well together and got everything taken care of.  Moving is hard!  I'm so ready to be done with moving.  If I didn't ever have to pack another box, I wouldn't be sad, honestly!

This morning Nick and I woke up at 0530 to start taking stuff to the dumpster.  Nick took it out, I took a shower and started on the inside of the house.  We then packed up boxes to mail.  We originally started out with 2, but they were really heavy.  So, we took the big box that needed to get our vacuum cleaner to the states, and took out all the stuff but light, fluffy things to protect the vacuum.  We ended up with 4 boxes today and will have 1 small box on Wednesday to mail out.  Nick wanted to mail most of our stuff so we didn't have to lug it through the airports.  Flying international, you have to get your bags at your first landing in the states and go through customs, then re-check your luggage.  Not a fun task, but must be done.

After the box chaos was done, the kids and Nick took a nap.  Well, Xander and Nick got to close their eyes only to have the government knocking at the door to get the bed, couch and table/chairs.  Poor boys!  So with that, Xander didn't get a nap and he was cranky!  Sorry mom for having a screaming kid at my side as I was trying to talk to you.

Nick went to mail the boxes and then checked us into our hotel.  It's a pet friendly hotel, but it's disgusting, I think I have fleas all around.  Yes, it's that gross!  I guess Nick thought it was nice though because when he told me he checked in to the hotel and went to check out the room, he came back telling me it's very nice.  Now, I can see where he's coming from.  It's almost identical to our old home (I can say that now!) and we have a washer/dryer in our unit!  Bonus when traveling!  Heck yeah!  Well so, Nick loaded and unloaded all our crap.  Plus he took the kids to grab McDonalds.  Brought some back to me at the old house as I was shining the floors and finishing up last minute stuff.  I traded him Hawkeye for some food.  So now he has both kids and the dog, plus the food he ordered for them.  He finally felt..."how does Bridget do it"  Ahem!  That's right buddy, every. single. time I go out anywhere, I have to do it!

Nick also told me that I had to do everything on the computer before I came to the hotel because he couldn't get reception.  I get to the hotel and I investegate.  You have to plug the computers into the cord.  Sorry, no wireless, lol.  So, we're up and running here.  Yah me!!

I was actually quite proud of Nick today because he did a lot of running around to help get things done so I could take care of the inside of the house.  I could see he wanted to complain plenty of times, but he didn't.  He just pushed through so we could be done!  Thank you Nick!!!!

So, because kids didn't have great naps today...this was them with Nick going to get supper...

Hopefully tomorrow I can get the kids on regular naps because they are wore out!

Have a great day!!

Lost hope

It's official.  I have lost ALL hope that is possible on going out and doing anything as a family of 4.  Last night Nick convinced me that we should go buy gifts for our family since we really haven't bought anything German specific.  I didn't mind, of course I'd love to shop.  So our France day trip was off and a last minute shopping trip was in order.

First up was Ikea.  This was for me as I really like their kids bowls and plates.  Great quality and haven't yet stained.  So, we made the 45 minute drive, went in, grabbed the stuff and checked out.  We were probably only in there for about 15 minutes because not like we could really shop.  We only have our suitcases and the boxes we're mailing back.

Next on the schedule was to take the kids to Luisenpark and let them run around and stretch their legs.  This is where our day journey ended.  German drivers pissed Nick off.  They'd suddenly come to a complete stop and let someone out of the car.  Um, yeah, stupid!  He's the type that stays mad though.  On top of that, we're using the car's GPS and it sucks and we get lost (but I guess we do with all GPS's).  First problem was that it was only displaying to Nick on the windshield and not on the main screen, so I couldn't help him.  He's not great with directions, and being somewhere new, he's easily flustered.  With his jerky driving because of all the stupid drivers and him not knowing where we were going, I was bound to get carsick.  Not fun!  And then I start to get grabby.  We decide to head back home because he was just too flustered and I don't consider him to be very safe when he's upset.

Next up because that was ruined.  He thinks it would be a great idea to take the kids to the Sembach field path.  We went, the kids ran around, and then we headed shopping.

Finally it's shopping time!  He begins his rampage because I was bringing the diaper bag into the store.  I knew we'd be in there more than an hour and it's easier than unloading diapers, wipes, snacks, and dirnks.  You know..the just in case so you don't have to run back out to the car 5 minutes after getting inside.  Men just don't understand!  We get inside and get inside the first store.  Maybe 2 minutes in there he starts going stir crazy.  So I suggest we move on to the next store.  Less than a minute in that store and he says he's going outside.  He took the kids and they went to sit in the car for over an hour!  Ridiculous!  I wasn't even sure where they went because all he said was he was going outside.  So as I was walking out I was telling myself that he better be in that car since i don't have my phone on me to see where he was.  He was :)

What have I learned.  I can't try anymore.  It just upsets me.  It's not worth the disappointment every.single.time!  The kids don't deserve to be excluded from everything because he don't like to be out.  From here on out, I think it will just be the kids and I as it's MUCH less stressful going places.

He was saying how nice it will be to travel because there will be two of us.  That is true, but I think his tendencies will make things more stressful.  I'm just ready for this to be over with.

I just wish for a day to go smoothly when we are out trying to have a nice time, that's all.

Have a great day!

Sterling's 15 W/B stats

At 15 months/3 weeks we've got one big mama :)

Weight: 27 lbs 12 oz; 92%

Height: 32.5; 92%

Head Circumference: 48.8 cm; 99% (she's in the red!)

There was a concern for her eyes at this visit.  As he was checking with the light, he noticed her left eye wasn't moving like her right eye.  He wanted to refer us to the specialist but since we are moving next week we will wait until we get settled and make her an appt there.  He told me if I take pictures of her and one eye has "red" eye and not the other then it's most likely a problem.  We won't stress, but will do a follow up with our new pediatrician.

Her weight is actually good.  I guess at her 12 month appt she was at 99% and she's starting to level out (thank you for walking!)

Her big bubbly personality shined during the visit with the technician.  Once the doctor came in, poker face was on!  She would not let me sit her on the exam table so I ended up holding her until he needed to check inside her diaper.  What a punk baby!

She also had her DTaP shot at this appointment.

Go get'em girl!

Have a great day!

Single digits...almost

I was praying that Sterling would have her four molars all the way through so she wouldn't be a miserable mess traveling.  Well, we are almost down in the single digits and that's not going to happen.  Those teeth are still working there way PLUS she has her eye teeth coming in.  OY VEY!  I'm doomed!!!  Not only is she miserable from all the discomfort of teeth pushing through her gums, but she constantly eats her hands which in turn leads to a drooling mess.  She'll just have to be a beautiful mess traveling, lol.

Yesterday we spent a few hours playing with our friends at their sons 4th birthday party (Pirate themed).  It was the cutest party set up ever!  I really should have taken a picture of the table.  My friend makes the best food!  Always yummy and full of flavor!  The kids played outside a lot as they had pools set up.  Towards the end, I just had Xander in his swim diaper so we didn't have to haul a wet suit back home. It's how we swim at home so why not with friends too, lol.

In just a few hours we are having our pre-inspection for our home.  I'm not too worried about it as we've kept things pretty clean.  I'm just worried about the stove burners as they were messed up when we moved in.  I guess I'm worried we're going to have to pay even though we didn't make the mess on them.  I do have it written in our housing notes we turned in, so hopefully they'll take that into account.  Stop stressing!  

Tomorrow Sterling has her 15 month well baby visit.  Yes, a month late.  Slipped right by me.  I would have just waited, but the shot she needs would've grounded our travel plans.  Tomorrow night I'm going to have tea with my friend, one last time.  I'm going to miss her and her family!

We are planning to take one last trip this weekend.  Last minute, but why not?  We're thinking to go to France, but of course that might change the day of.  Wait and see.  If we didn't plan to go anywhere, we'd be bored.  We have nothing to do.  All the cleaning is done.  Everything that is left can wait until Monday when we move to the hotel. Totally free weekend.  Our friends last night said they were going to take bets on if we go or back out.  I don't blame them, I take bets myself!  There's a certain someone that always has great intentions to go out and have fun, but last minute anxiety gets the best of him.  Me, I don't push it anymore because I've learned that if he's stressed out, the "fun" is not so fun.  It's actually pretty miserable.  Do you want to take a bet with us?

Have a great day!

Happy Independence Day!

"Home Of The Free Because Of The Brave"

Not the best pictures this week because I realized I had forgotten to take the SD card and put it back in the camera when we went out.  The crap phone it was!

Such a happy girl!  I love her personality...sassy and sweet and all things nice!

I loved the back of this dress

  

We walked over to the Rockin 4th events.  Once we got there, Nick's anxiety kicked in strong.  He pretty much ran through the crowd and we came out on this side, much quieter.  That place is a mad house on events!  It's because there are over 10,000 people and a limited number of booths and rides.  Not enough stuff and everything crammed into a small parking lot.  Nick convinced me to leave since our friends didn't make it out, so we were by ourselves and no obligations.

             

After we left the mad house, we headed to the park to let the kids run free.  It was short lived because the bugs were horrible.  There were these huge brown flying beetle looking things.  Freaky and gave me the willies and made Nick look like a lunatic swatting at them, lol.  It was funny, but time to leave after so much.

I pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all 

see this sassy little thing in another patriotic outfit (thanks Auntie).

"Hi Nana"

this is how we act in between pictures to see the picture on the screen, lol...gotta love it!

"Hi Papa"

This is Sterling's famous act.  When she's upset, she throws herself to the floor face first.

And just because I was taking all these other photos off my camera, I saw this one and look at how serious this boy was even at such a young age!  So sweet, love him!

Have a great day America!