Happy Mother's Day

We didn't get any Hallmark cards sent out this year for Mother's Day, but we did just book our tickets home which should make the moms happy.   Grandmas will be able to meet Madelyn and see Carter the evening of May 29th. 

Paula and the kids will stay for 2 weeks and I will leave STL for Washington, DC June 3rd.  America, here we come.

London- Big Ben

Spring weather is almost here.

As always, we’re moving and grooving over here since the last post.   A couple pics:

Madelyn turned 3 months

and now 4 months today

Carter's 2nd Birthday Party at the pool

Madelyn’s Dedication at church. 
Not as cool as being baptized in the Jordan River, but she’s still a member of God’s family.

Easter

We couldn’t figure out while Carter kept skipping over all the eggs.

Then we looked in his basket—he was only collecting the Yellow ones! 

a. Glad I’m back working again so he doesn’t pick up any more of my type-A traits.
b. Paula and I have never “encouraged” yellow things.  However, it’s funny his favorite color is yellow considering he was known as the Yellow Man throughout his life in Turkey.

When are we coming home?  It’s always up in the air with us, huh?  To date, both Paula and my vacation has been approved for Christmas to return to STL.  No exact dates yet, but it’s on the books that we won’t be at work for 2 weeks over the holiday season.  Nothing has changed regarding our plans to return in June.  I’ll be in Maryland for the month and Paula is planning to catch the military flight into Baltimore and take the kids to STL the 1st 2 weeks. 

With me starting a new job and Paula having little flexibility in working in a HUGE office, we’re running into roadblocks regarding travel plans in October.   Some of you are planning to visit in September/October.   Paula’s office is undergoing an “every 3 year” inspection in October.   Just happens that 2013 is the year.   As of right now, no military in her office is authorized leave during September and October.   So family, until we get the final answer from her boss, Paula can’t take off during the week.  We will have to modify Oktoberfest plans/reservations if you still want to visit.  If not, it looks like we are going to have to postpone until next year.   Just more time to save for those cuckoo clocks, right?  Sorry for the notice, but there’s not much we can do.

To say the least, life is good for us in Germany.  We are blessed to be working (without furloughs), no deployments, and have improving weather.     While we are enjoying our time, it is hard to see some of our close friends (Army) going through deployments.   These families sacrifice more than I could ever imagine.   As summer picks up and life gets busier, remember to say a few prayers for our American men and women who continue to leave their families behind and work crazy long days for months in the desert.  We need to continue to support them and their families- regardless of our political stance/views/whatever.

Family / Friends-  It's my (Curt) night for kid duty so need to keep this quick. 

Madelyn started daycare mid-February.  At the last moment, our friend helped us find a lady named Jenefiel who just received her childcare license in her home.  Her husband deployed to the desert last week so she only accepted Madelyn for right now until she can get everything situated in her home.   Madelyn had a rough start, but she is doing great and we could not be happier with the care she is receiving.  Her passport also arrived on Valentine's Day!

Carter is still in daycare until March 30.  He is number 3 on the list for a permanent spot.  If he doesn't get in by April, we are hoping he can go to Madelyn's provider.  We'll cross that bridge later.  He is a learning machine.  This month he has done awesome with colors.  He can line all his trains up into perfect rows matching the colors.  Will he be type A---of course.  He's still in love with puzzles and can complete most of the ones we have all by himself.   

Paula is still on the AM shift at work.  They are doing construction in the clinic so they have to rotate dentists on AM/PM shifts.  She goes in early and can usually get out early enough to have some time at home to walk the dogs, do house stuff, pack for the next day, etc.  She is slotted to attend a 2-week course in San Antonio, Texas in August.  To date, the funding is still available and the class is not cancelled. But, that could always change I'm sure. 

I started my job Feb 11.  I'd like to say I love it, but I'm overwhelmed and too early to have an opinion.   My supervisor is very fast-paced and trying to get me up and running as quick as possible.   I usually just stare at her like a deer in the headlights.  Regardless, I am blessed to have a job that challenges me and forces me to learn everyday.  I was informed I was the last person hired in our unit due to Government hiring freezes- so, the timing could not have been better.  I am already scheduled to attend my "basic training" in June.  Depending on furlough, budget cuts, blah blah, I'll be in California, Maryland the month of June. 

Six + months in, we are now somewhat "settled" in Germany.  We've got it down to a science on how to get our cars buried out of the snow and still get the kids out the door by 6:45.  With my new job, daycare uncertainties, and our training in June/August, we are still trying to figure out when we can come back to STL.  My training is about 1 1/2 hours from Baltimore.  It is likely Paula and the kids will take the military flight to Baltimore in June, stay with me a couple days, and then they will get a flight to STL. Still in the planning stages, but that's where we're at.  

Time to put Madelyn to bed.

 

This month-

Where to begin? Alot has happened this past month over here in Germany:

Christmas came and went.  As much as we wanted to be home, it was a perfect holiday season for us.  We were able to wake up in our own home, play with toys all day, and simply relax and appreciate all God has done for us. 

 

 

 

 

New Years was crazy.  We went to Strasbourg, France for the day and returned home late that evening.  As we hit the pillows at midnight, fireworks throughout our entire village started going off.  They lasted until 1am and we enjoyed them right from our door. It was awesome. 

  

Carter started daycare and loves it.  His teachers call him the "Dancing Man"- I guess a better name than "Yellow Man" as in Turkey. We just have the spot until March 8. Then who knows?  

 

Madelyn turned 1 month on January 7th.  She is a much different baby than Carter and I need to stop comparing the two.  She's a girl- she has more needs, that's all (written by Curt). 

 

 

Before Paula goes back to work, we wanted to take at least 1 trip.  Last weekend, we took the train to Berlin.  How people travel with 2 kids under 2 is a wonder to me.  A bus, 5 train connections, and a few fits (and mom/dad fights) in between, we made it home.  Overall, it was a great trip- just not sure how often we'll be traveling as much as we dreamed.

Tropical Islands Water Park

   

 

Asleep- Pina Colada time

 

Paula goes back to work in 6 days- yikes.  I'm starting to get my stay-at-home dad routine down to a science.   Anyone visiting would be impressed with my abilities to get Madelyn to calm down.  Let's just say I don't need to spend much time in the gym between squats, overhead lifts, baby bicep curls, running in place, etc.  Did I previously mention that Madelyn has a few more needs?   

With that said, I received notice yesterday that I got a job! The position is with the Air Force and in the contracting unit that I've been waiting/hoping for.  5 months of patience.  I start February 11, giving us 3 weeks to get daycare situated. 

Thank you all for the Christmas cards/gifts, phone calls, and emails.  It's been a crazy month and appreciate all your love.