Aug 2-8

After our first full week in the states at my parents home, all 5 of us headed on another plane ride to Minneapolis to be in attendance for my oldest brothers wedding.  After our 2.5 hour plane ride, we had a 5 hour drive up north near Bemidji.  It was so beautiful up there...I think this was my first time seeing the lake side of MN.  I loved it and am looking forward to taking my hubby soon, since he wants to retire and settle in MN and all. I think he will love it just as much, if not more!  I grew up on the MN-IA border, so I've been sheltered...haha.
All but one of my siblings came, so it was great seeing them.  I wish my sister in Texas could have joined us.  She's one to make gatherings a hoot!  She was missed.  We got to the hotel and we went to the pool.  Xander and Sterling weren't too sure of it, but I kept them in.  They can't always get their way...lol. 
Friday, we hung out.  The people in the wedding party had to decorate the lodge and then rehearsal.  Went poolside again.  This time, the kids didn't go in, we just hung out with everyone who arrived that day.  Which was pretty much everyone that was coming up.  I loved catching up with my cousins, aunt and uncles, and grandpa.  I miss family being away all the time. Sterling hung out with my cousin Amanda ALL night (until I decided to go to our room).  Amanda was great with her and Sterling was comfortable with her.  Xander, well, he had fun playing with a shoe shine buffer in the hotel lobby...lol. He's a baby on the go and won't sit still long enough to relax.  He's a one year old, guess you shouldn't expect anything less.
Saturday was the big day.  We arrived way to early.  They said family pictures were at 1, but of course, like every other wedding, they were running behind.  Sterling was stung by a bee or wasp...poor baby!  As the wedding was starting, it started pouring.  Good thing the bride hadn't made it down the aisle yet.  They quickly rushed to shelter, as well as all the guests.  About 3 minutes later, it cleared up and the wedding was back on.  At the very end of the ceremony, it started raining again.  It was beautiful to see how happy my brother is.  He was in a prior marriage, but only for the sake of a child...bad idea!  Everyone deserves to be happy, and I'm glad he found his happiness!  His bride is perfect for him and I'm excited to have her as a sister-in-law and my kids have a new auntie...who is fun too!  The kids and I stayed at the reception until their first dance.  By then, the kids were spent and making life miserable.  I decided it was time to go put them to bed and end the fun.  I'm not much of a dancer anyways, so I was okay with it.  While the kids slept, I went to the lobby and chatted with 2 of my cousins and an aunt.  It was great! 
Sunday, we checked out and headed to Minneapolis to the Mall of America on Monday. 
Monday...Wow...what fun was that.  We pretty much spent a lot of time riding rides and a little bit of shopping.  2 fun things we did was; got pedicures and Sterling got her ears pierced.  Fun fun fun!  We then went to eat at one of my cousin's husbands Thai restaurant.  It was good, but I have to say our Thai Thai place here is WAY better!  I'm going to miss Thai here.  Who whould've thought I'd fall in love with Thai while living in Germany?  Not me!
Tuesday we flew back to Baltimore.
Wednesday I worked on laundry and packed for our last travel adventure.  We headed out on the 9th...more to come, but for now I need to get to bed.

Have a great day!

Adoption cluelessness

At the airport in Philadelphia, a lady in her mid 20s asked if the kids were twins.  I said no, Xander is 16 months and Sterling is 5 months (I didn't say their names).  She said, "oh, did you adopt him?"  I was surprised, no one has ever asked this.  I said yes.  Then she goes on to say "oh, his real mom must not have loved him"  I got offended by that remark and let her know that his birth mom did love him.  She loved him so much that he's here now.  She loved him enough to carry and deliver him, think about his future, and give him the best life possible, even if it wasn't with her. 
The lady just looked at me and didn't know what to say and walked away.  I guess adoption is not known to all and some just don't know what to say or how to say it.  I should probably prepare myself for future encounters.  I don't know if I handled this situation correctly, but I feel I did okay.

Have you had any encounters?  If so, how do you deal with them?

Back home

Wow, did the last month fly by or what?!?  We spent it in the states visiting family, which is always fun.  We did A LOT of traveling within the month and I plan to take the next week to reflect on our time. 

We flew in to Germany this morning so I figure the next few days will be rough on the kids and I for sleep, trying to get adjusted back to our normal.  I had plans to have Sterling sleep in her room starting tonight, but with not sleeping through the night, it's just easier having her with me still.  What's another week?  It might not even be long and she'll be on a night schedule and will get transitioned to her room next week...that's what i'm hoping for.

On Wednesday (Aug 22) Sterling officially rolled "fully" over from back to tummy.  She's been doing it for awhile, but her right arm was always stuck under her.  Well now, she's arms out and having a good time.  YAH baby girl!

Xander is talking up a storm and has a full blown conversation with you, but you may not have any clue what he's talking about.  He's so serious when he's talking, his facial expressions tell me he knows what he's talking about...lol.

Two new words today...thank you and hallo (the german way for hello).  I'm still trying to get him to say please, but no luck. 

Time to get some sleep now that both kids are down and asleep.  Hopefully more tomorrow.

Have a great day!