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.