Settling In

     This week was the first week of the, kind of, schedule and it went awesome :) I go to German class 4 days a week and pick up Alex from school and we spend the afternoon together and then Tim comes home and we all do something. Most of the time Alex and I are together we are playing legos and trains.... little boys are so entertained so easily. When Tim comes home it is mostly playing soccer and basketball which is nice while the weather is still okay to be outside. I am trying to enjoy outside as much as I can with them until the winter stir craziness comes. 
     
     I recently read something my aunt posted about what its like raising boys. I have only been here 2 weeks and everything was completely accurate. For example, it said,  "They all love Star Wars." I have never heard about or seen so much Star Wars in my life. I do not share the joy of watching it but it keeps them very happy. Another example was that everything they pick up becomes a gun. Yep. Today Alex was eating a banana and it immediately was put in the air with pow pow sound effects. But hey, at least their imagination runs wild. 

     

     I am already starting to see the rewards of spending everyday with a 2 year old. The reward of picking him up from Kindergarten and he yells "Hannah!" and runs into my arms. Or when we were baking together today and he said "Mom, I am also a baker!" He set up a stool right next to me and wanted to help with everything. We have become good buddies and he is already always calling me into his room to play.

     

     I am also starting to respect mothers way more spending everyday with a 2 year old. I didn't know that eating food in quiet and not having to share every other bite could be so peaceful. I also feel as though I should just walk behind him with a dust buster because I feel like I am constantly cleaning up after him. I never thought I would say some things that I do; for example, "Alex, please keep your clothes on at the table." I have found myself in times of weakness where I think, "I can't believe I am doing this." The other day he fell asleep and we were at the mall and it was late in the afternoon and when I wake him up he cries, so I wanted to avoid that. So I bought a strawberry ice cream and had it in my hand while he woke up so I could give it to him right away. You gotta do what you gotta do. 

this was him helping me make lunch the other day

our pumpkin bread we made today, yummm. 

      

To My Grandma

     I just got back to Germany today, more jetlagged than ever, from New York where I said my final goodbyes to my grandma. It was risky leaving Germany after only being here for less than two weeks but I could not imagine spending the last week away from my family. I am so happy I got to see everyone, but I wish it was under different circumstances. My grandma passed on September 12th and this one goes out to her.

Grandma,
     I am so sorry that you had to go in a way of such fear and hate when you lived such a life full of love. I hope you are exactly where you've believed in for so long. I hope you're with grandpa looking down on all of us fools who are so sad you are gone. I know that you are everywhere: in the rainbows, in the butterflies, in the warm, sweet air. I know you are trying to tell us that you're exactly where you have always wanted to be and that you are okay. Thank you for making our lives so much fuller with the love you gave to us. I'll miss you giggle, your waddle, the thing you do when you sneeze, and your random bible stories that have nothing to do with what we're talking about that none of us understood. I hope that where you are is filled with endless crocs, books, and basketball games. I hope you and grandpa have matching chairs again and are watching everything you can together. I will have a glass of tea in your honor since that was the extent of your exciting drinks, but know your daughters have had many, many, many glasses of wine for you. I love you with all my heart and you will forever be with me.


Thank you everyone for your kind words and love. Please keep sending my family good vibes as we get back to our normal lives without our biggest rock and support.

Here At Last

     Hallo! Today was my second day in Germany and I am all settled in. Unpacking was surprisingly easy and I got it done in the first day. Now we just have to hope that my room stays this organized for the rest of the year. 
     The first day, I just came to the house and we mostly relaxed. I felt pretty sick from the time change and I was woken up on the plane at 3:30 am, U.S. time. I did get to have a pretzel from the bakery and I was not disappointed:)  Today, Monika, Wolfgang, and I walked around the city of Cologne and I got to see all the famous shopping streets and the famous church which I forget the name of. For breakfast I had a chocolate croissant and then a jelly donut (ein Berliner). No, I will not put every meal I eat on my blog, but for now I thought I'd share:) 

    Tomorrow is errand running day and I am going to get my German Visa. I also have to take a test for my language class which brings me to the subject of the language barrier. You think you know a language until you hear the German natives speaking it so fast. Most of the time when people speak to me in German I just nod my head and smile. Hopefully once my six week language course is done I will be able to pick it up much easier. 
    The house is gorgeous and I have a big space to myself and the the backyard view is so pretty!

     So it is amazing so far and I am sure it is only going to get better :)